Ok folks!

It is time for us to get real here and talk about the realities of Real Estate.

Everybody wants a Realtor who will sell their home...sounds logical right? The truth is it rarely happens.

To begin with, when a significant number of Buyers are viewing a home the Listing Agent isn't even present...nor does the Buyer or the Buyer's Agent want them to be present.

How can I sell your home if I am not even there?

Another reality is that we are tallking about a major chunk of change and as a result, no amount of convincing is going to get a Buyer to buy something they don't like...it just won't happen. We are not selling a new flavour of Potato Chips...we are asking someone to commit hundreds of thousands of dollars. Trust me...if they don't like it...I am unlikley to be able to sell it to them...and if I do succeed in this regard they will almost certainly come to their senses while the deal is in its conditional period and back out of the deal.

So I think if you are looking for a Realtor who will "sell your home" you are heading down the wrong path.

What you do want is a savvy Reltor who understands technology and knows how to effectively set you up for success. Someone who will make suggestions to ensure the home shows properly, someone who will get a Home Inspection done on a house, or a Status Certificate ordered on a Condo BEFORE going to market to help minimize or eliminate a conditional period, and someone who knows how to market, market, market, in order to get serious buyers in the door.

Just as an aside, I pay for my client's Home Inspection or Status Certificate...this is often a "client expense".

If things are set up and marketed properly you don't need someone to "sell your house", because you have someone who gets people in the door so the house can sell itself.

You need a strong on-line and social media presence, you need Open Houses (these aren't always permitted in Condos) and you need traditional methods of marketing such as flyers throughout the neighbourhood.

I know how to get properties sold but I do have to warn you that although I will work with you to make the process as smooth as possible, I consider it my job to make your life hell the first week a property is on the market. If I have my way it will be very hard for you to come home that first week because someone is always "showing the property". It can be the difference between getting $10,000 below or $10,000 above list price and with a potential $20,000 differential (or more) my clients are usually fine with the inconvenience.

So...if you want me to sell your home...don't hire me...if you want me to get your home sold...I'm your man.

Alan

Staging a property has become so popular lately that I wanted to take a few minutes to share my thoughts with regard to it.

First and foremost I want to emphasize that although this Blog may make me appear to be opposed to it, I am most defintely not. I just think it has its place and we are getting caught up in a bit of a marketing phenomenon cultivated by the many television shows focused on how to sell a property.

To be fair to individuals running Staging businesses, one Stager I respect immensely emphasized to me that Staging is actually a three part process, but most people really only think of it as the final stage.

The first stage is "Analysis and Planning". This involves understanding the composition and features of your home and compiling a llst of work items required to prepare your home for sale.

The second stage is "Physical Work"...painting, fixing or replacing elements in the space, cleaning, decluttering, and preparing the structural place for presentation.

The final stage...the one we tend to think of as "Staging" involves "Showcasing the Property" for final presentation.

Here is the thing: In my opinion, I think that between a Realtor's knowledge, a Seller's Knowledge, and a Home Inspection Report (which I usually suggest getting prior to listing a residential freehold property for sale), it is often possible for the first two stages to be covered off.

The final stage is important...your home MUST be showcased effectively. Sometimes this requires a Stager and I will be the first person to tell you that if I think it is the case.

Television shows, however, seem to have convinced people that their own common sense isn't good enough.

I have sold a lot of properties and I am here to tell you that most people...not all people...but most people...already know what to do:

1) Repair damage (and I mean repair damage properly...you do not want an artifical cover up unless you enjoy legal issues after the fact).

2) Paint where and if necessary.

3) Declutter your home, arrange furniture so that the home is presented in a manner that would be appealing to the largest number of buyers (i.e. the pool table in the dining room may be totally cool for your personal day to day use...but not for selling purposes).

4) Remove as many family pictures etc. as possible so that the property can be viewed by a buyer as "theirs" and not "yours".

That is it. That is pretty much all you need to do, barring glaring issues in a Home Inspection Report.

The thing is...I am betting you already knew that.

Why is it then, that so many people feel the need to pay a Stager to tell them what they already know?

Staging has its place...and it may be necessary for you...but it also may not be necessary.

If you are not already working with a Realtor I would be happy to assist you with arriving at the right decision in this regard.

Sometimes your money can be better spent.

Wishing you all the best,

Alan Read-Chua, Broker

Sutton Group - Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage

416 966-0300