What are the common closing expenses for home sellers
Typical closing expenses incurred for selling your home could include real estate commission and your lawyer fee. Keep in mind you may also need to complete any upgrades or updates necessary to sell the home.
Do I need a For Sale sign on my lawn?
It’s completely within your rights to request ‘no sign’, however, keep in mind that exposure to Buyers is critical in order to get top dollar for your home. I do respect that some Sellers prefer not to have a ‘For Sale’ sign on their lawn. My advice is..... Your neighbours already love your neighbourhood – why not let them know your home is for sale so they can tell their friends and family?
How much will it cost to stage my house?
Staging costs vary depending on the amount of labour required and how many accessories or pieces of furniture need to be rented and can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. I have an inventory of staging items that I can lend to my clients, greatly reducing the cost of staging. Effective home preparation can make a significant difference to the sold price, though you should always have a serious conversation with your agent about what is worth spending money and time on before you begin the process.
Do open houses work?
Statistically, open houses account for 4% of home sales, though my stats are significantly higher (10-12%). As a Seller, you want to make it easy for Buyers to see your home, and open houses are one of the least intimidating ways for Buyers to do that. Of course, you’ll have a few nosy neighbours come by your house, but a good real estate agent will be able to concentrate their sales efforts on the real potential Buyers. In almost every circumstance, we’ll recommend a well-advertised public open house on the first weekend of the sale.
I have young kids and my house is a disaster. Anything I can do to mitigate this?
Selling a home with young children does present some unique challenges. It’s always important to be flexible with Buyers and let them see your home when it’s convenient for them, so that might mean you are flexible in your daily routine or some quick storage solutions for these quick tidy moments. Watch for our blog specifically for parent Sellers here.
Who pays Toronto and Ontario land transfer taxes?
The Buyer pays both land transfer taxes.
Should I sell before buying?
The answer to this depends on your personal goals and what’s happening in the real estate market. If you’re buying an in-demand property and selling a less desirable one, you’ll likely want to sell before buying.
