Not long ago, home sellers were in their heyday, as historically-low mortgage rates triggered a real estate buying frenzy. However, the Bank of Canada shut down the party when it began raising interest rates last year.¹

Now, it’s not as simple to sell a home. While pandemic-era homebuyers were racing the clock—trying to lock in a low mortgage rate and gain a foothold in the market—current buyers are much more discerning. Higher prices and mortgage rates have pushed their limits of affordability, leading them to prioritize cost, condition, and overall value.

The reality is, home inventory remains low, so most properties will still sell with some basic prep, the right price, and a professional real estate agent. But home owners who go the extra mile are more likely to sell faster and for a higher amount.

If you have plans to sell your home and want to net the most money possible, this list is for you.

Here are our top seven strategies to attract the best offers and maximize your real estate returns.

1. UNDERGO A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION

Many homebuyers hire a professional to complete a home inspection before they close. But did you know that a seller can order their own inspection, known as a pre-listing inspection, before they put their home on the market?

Having a pre-listing inspection on hand and ready to share shows interested buyers that you’re committed to a transparent transaction. This can help you market your home, strengthen your negotiating position, and minimize roadblocks to closing.²

Of course, it’s always possible that a pre-listing inspection—which looks at the home’s major systems and structures, among other things—could turn up a significant problem. This does carry some risk, as you’ll be required to either fix or disclose any issues to potential buyers. However, in most cases, it’s better to know about and address deficiencies upfront than to find out mid-transaction, when it could cost you more in the form of repair credits, a delayed closing, or a cancelled sale.

We can help you decide if a pre-listing inspection is right for you. And if it identifies any concerns, we can advise on which items need attention before you list your home.

2. CONSIDER STRATEGIC UPGRADES

Embarking on major renovations before putting your home on the market doesn’t always make financial (or logistical) sense. However, certain upgrades are more likely to pay off and can help elevate your home in the eyes of buyers. Upgrades can include but not limited to: kitchens, washrooms, lighting, door hardware, flooring, painting and landscaping.

For example, new flooring can generate up to a 150% return on investment at resale and a countertop upgrade could pay for itself.³  Similarly, research shows landscaping features can increase a home’s value by up to 12%.⁴

Often, even simpler and less expensive fixes can make a big difference in how your home comes across to buyers. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral colour, modern light fixtures and hardware, and new caulk around the tub or shower can help your property look its best.

But before you make any changes to your home, reach out. We know what buyers are looking for and can help you decide if a particular investment is worthwhile.

3. HIRE A HOME STAGER

To get standout offers, you need potential buyers to fall in love with your home—and they’re much more likely to do so if they can envision themselves in the space.

That’s where professional home staging comes in. Staging can include everything from decluttering and packing away personal items to bringing in neutral furniture and design accessories for maximum impact.

According to the U.S.-based National Association of Realtors, home staging can both increase the dollar value of home offers and help a property sell faster. In fact, 53% of seller’s agents agree that staging decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market, and 44% of buyer’s agents see higher offers for staged homes.⁵

There’s plenty of strategy and research behind the process, so it’s smart to consider a professional home stager. Reach out for a connection to one of our recommended home stagers who can help your property show its full potential.

4. EMPLOY A COMPETITIVE PRICING STRATEGY

While it’s tempting to list your property at the highest possible price, that approach can backfire. Homes that are overpriced tend to sit on the market, which can drive away potential buyers—and drive down offers.⁶

Alternatively, if you price your home competitively, which is either at or slightly below market value, it can be among the nicest that buyers see within their budgets. This can ultimately lead to a higher sales price and fewer concessions.

To help you list at the right price, we will do a comparative market analysis, or CMA. This integral piece of research will help us determine an ideal listing price based on the amount that comparable properties have recently sold for in your neighbourhood.

Without this data, you risk pricing your home too high (and getting no offers) or too low (and leaving money on the table). Combined with our local market insights, we’ll help you find that sweet spot that will attract the best offers while maximizing your profit margin.

5. OFFER ALTERNATIVE FINANCING

Conventional mortgages, while widely used, may not be accessible to everyone. For example, higher mortgage rates and home prices have made it difficult for some homebuyers to pass the required mortgage stress test.

Consequently, certain alternatives, like vendor take-back (VTB) mortgages, are becoming increasingly popular.⁷ A VTB mortgage is a unique financing arrangement in which the seller of a property provides a loan to the buyer for all or a portion of the purchase price.

Buyers who don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage can be highly motivated to purchase from a seller offering a VTB loan. Sellers, consequently, can benefit too, by commanding a higher price or collecting more interest on their capital than they could from a standard investment. Depending on the seller's circumstances, there may also be certain tax advantages.⁸

It’s important to note, however, that there are risks involved. Therefore, both buyers and sellers should seek legal and financial advice before entering into a VTB mortgage agreement to ensure all aspects are properly structured and understood. If interested, we an refer you to a professional mortgage broker for advice and consult. 

6. USE A PROVEN PROPERTY MARKETING PLAN

Gone are the days when it was enough to put a “for sale” sign in your yard and place a listing on the MLS. A strategic marketing plan is now essential to get your home in front of as many interested and qualified buyers as possible.

The truth is, buyers who don’t know about your house can’t make an offer. That’s why we utilize a multi-step approach to marketing that starts with identifying your target audience, effectively positioning your home in the market, and communicating its unique value. We then use a variety of distribution channels to connect with potential buyers and performance-based metrics to monitor and improve our campaign results.

Our Proven approach can have a big impact on the success of your sale. Reach out to learn more about our multi-step marketing plan and discuss how we can use it to generate interest and offers for your home.

7. WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR

To get the best offers possible, you will need to work with a full-time, full-service real estate agent aligned with strong, recognizable Brokerage brand.

Any agent can pull comparable sales data, but in a quickly-evolving market, even the latest comps can lag the current market reality. We have our fingers on the pulse of the market because we’re working directly with sellers like you. We also represent buyers who are active in the market, searching for homes like yours.

That puts us in an ideal position to help you price your home for a quick sale and maximum price. And since we hear first-hand what buyers want, we can help you prep your home to broaden its appeal and highlight its most-coveted features. Additionally, we can use our extensive network of local and worldwide RE/MAX agents to solicit feedback and get your home in front of more potential buyers.

LET’S GET MOVING

Are you ready to get a great offer for your home? Our professional multifaceted approach can help you maximize your real estate returns. Reach out for a free home seller consultation and customized sales plan to get started!

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.

Sources:

1. National Post -
   https://nationalpost.com/moneywise-pro/high-interest-rates-are-still-a-problem-for-potential-homebuyers-here-is-advice-for-navigating-the-real-estate-market
2. Bankrate -
   https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/prelisting-inspection/
3. RE/MAX Canada -
   https://blog.remax.ca/best-home-renovations-biggest-roi/
4. Journal of Real Estate Research -
   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5142154_Landscaping_and_House_Values_An_Empirical_Investigation
5. National Association of Realtors -
   https://www.nar.realtor/infographics/staged-for-success
6. The Balance -
   https://www.thebalancemoney.com/looking-twice-at-overpriced-homes-1798671
7. Real Estate Magazine -
   https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-return-of-the-vendor-take-back-mortgage/
8. RE/MAX Canada -
   https://blog.remax.ca/how-to-take-advantage-of-the-vendor-take-back-mortgage/

National Association of Realtors -
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/quick-real-estate-statistics