In the wake of COVID-19, there has been much uncertainty for both buyers and sellers within the Southern Ontario real estate market. Many people have put their home buying dreams on hold, while sellers are left wondering if they should move ahead with their listing plans or wait.
Remarkably, home sales – and prices – have proven resilient against COVID-19, thanks to a large part of the market consisting of higher-income and essential workers whose employment has remained largely unaffected by the pandemic. Other life changes, like career transitions, relationship changes, and the need for less or more space, continue to drive the market as usual.
If you are looking to sell your home, here are four steps that you can take to ensure the most positive outcome, even during challenging circumstances.
1. Price It Competitively
When listing your home, it’s very important to price your property at a competitive market value. Especially during these unusual times, overpricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. You need to be competitive from the get-go because, most times, your first offer is your best offer. Pricing your property right may also attract more offers from qualified buyers, helping you sell your home faster and for the best price. Remember, the value of your property is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay in today’s market based on comparing your property to others already sold in your area.
2. Market It Right
With buyers spending more time researching listings online from the safety of their homes, virtual tours, professional photography, interactive floor plans, and detailed listing write-ups are invaluable when it comes to selling your home. With such a captive and vast audience, it’s important that you choose a realtor with a marketing strategy that includes technology and an online presence to make your home stand-out against other active listings in the marketplace. The old-school strategy of staking a sign in the front lawn and hosting casual weekend open houses is no longer a viable option.
3. Keep It Clean
Cleanliness is always a top priority for buyers – even the slightest amount of mess, dirt, or odours may turn away potential offers. And now with COVID-19, cleanliness and sanitization are more important than ever before, especially if you plan to allow in-person showings of your home. Aside from making protective gloves, masks, and alcohol-based hand sterilizers available to visitors, it’s critical that you also clean doorknobs, cupboard hardware, light switches, as well as surfaces in areas like bathrooms and kitchens before and after each showing or home inspection. Many buyers are also opting for virtual showings. A clean and tidy home will present your property in a better light, even when viewed behind a screen.
4. Make It Accessible
In an effort to limit contact, it’s recommended that a lockbox be used to let realtors gain access to your home for showings. As always, it’s advised that you, your family, and any pets are not home for the showing and that you leave all lights on, drapes and shutters open, and all interiors doors open and unlocked. This is especially important now so buyers can see all areas of your home without having to unnecessarily touch surfaces.
Final Thoughts
Selling a home during the pandemic may fill you with uncertainty, but it’s absolutely possible to achieve a positive outcome! Having a trusted, well-informed, and experienced realtor on your side can help you navigate our new normal and reach your home selling goals faster, even during these extraordinary times.
If you are in the market to sell, give your home the safe exposure it deserves by contacting Deborah Clerk, Real Estate Sales Representative, ASA at Keller Williams Real Estate Associates, Brokerage, in Mississauga, Ontario, to learn more about my comprehensive home selling services.
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