Could You Sell Your Own Home?

Why Use a Realtor?
Selling a home is complex. Whether you are capable of handling this task on your own, or whether you would be better off using a Realtor will largely depend on your answers to the following questions.

1) Are you familiar enough with the changing real estate market to accurately evaluate your home and market it at a price that will be attractive both to you and prospective buyers?

2) Do you have sufficient knowledge of the many laws and regulations that affect property ownership?

3) Do you have the skills to advertise and market your property effectively? Do you know how much advertising costs and where to place it for the best exposure?

4) Are you a good negotiator? Will you be unnerved or offended by aggressive buyers looking for bargains?

5) Do you know that all British Columbia real estate property purchasers must pay a government Property Transfer Tax? Do you know how much?

6) Do you have the time to show your home to all prospects at any time of day, evening or weekend? If you take a day or evening off, will you miss the one big chance you have for a sale?

7) When the doorbell rings with a prospective buyer, will you be able to determine if he/she is serious or is merely making frivolous enquiries? Furthermore, would you be able to determine - and protect yourself - if the buyer is really a thief or a con artist?

8) Can you qualify a prospective buyer's financial capability? Do you have the knowledge and contacts necessary to help the buyer arrange mortgages?

9) After you've totalled all of your selling expenses, including non-monetary costs such as time invested, invasion of privacy and other possible disruptions and frustrations, ask yourself if you have truly saved money by selling your home yourself?

Most people feel they haven't the time, objectivity or skill to undertake the sale of their home, so it's best to rely on a professional - your realtor. Only trained, licensed real estate practitioners can call themselves Realtors. As members of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics and high a standard of business practice in representing your needs.

Tricks & Tips for Successfully Selling Your Home

Find Out What Your Home is Worth... the market is constantly changing, get an up to date evaluation.

Can You Sell Your Home Yourself... the important questions you need to ask.

Ten Steps to Selling Your Home... find out the most important steps in planning the sale of your home.

Pricing Your House Right... determining your "asking price" is the most important step in preparing your house for sale.

How Does Assessed Value Relate to the Market Value of Your Home? ... find out the difference between the two.

What is the MLS... one of the most important tools used for selling your home.

Preparing Your Home for Sale... selling your home faster and for a potentially higher price.

Documents You Will See When Selling Your Home... understanding all of the paper work.

Closing Costs... don't forget about closing costs when you are selling your home.