Step 1: Contact your Real Estate Professional

Pricing your property may be the single most important decision you will make in the sale of your property. Your Black Tusk Realty agent will assist you in determining the place in the market that can achieve you the highest possible price without pricing too high.

A property generates the most interest when it first comes on the market. With your property priced correctly you will achieve many benefits:

• A faster sale.
• The property is more marketable - leading to more showings.
• It attracts higher offers.
• It generates competing offers.
• It generates more excitement in the market by both agents and buyers.

Step 2: Determine the Value of Your Home

The market ultimately determines the true value of a property.

Your REALTOR® will prepare a comparative market analysis of your home based on the most current market information. This analysis is an indicator of what today's buyers are willing to pay for a home. It compares the market activity of homes similar to yours in your neighbourhood.

Your REALTOR® will consider the following points in their analysis:

• Location
• Size
• Style
• Condition
• Community amenities
• Buyer supply
• Financing options

The Marketing Plan

Your property is not something you sell everyday. In fact, for most people it is their largest asset. A house is very complex to market and the process needs to be well organized. To do the job properly a plan is required.

Your REALTOR® will prepare a personalized plan for you containing all activities intended to market your property.

Step 3: Signing a Listing Agreement

The first formal step in marketing your property is to enter into a Listings Agreement. This is a contract that commits Black Tusk Realty to actively market your home for a specified period of time. It also commits you to a pre-established marketing fee that is to be paid upon the successful closing of the sale.

Your REALTOR® may require the following documents:

• Plan of survey or location certificate.
• Property tax receipts.
• Mortgage verification.
• Deed or Title search.
• Other documentation such as annual heating, electrical and water expenses as well as any recent home improvement costs.
• A signed property condition disclosure statement.

Step 4: The Major Elements of an Offer

PRICE: Depends on the market and the buyer, but generally, the price offered is different from the asking price

DEPOSIT: The deposit shows the buyer's good faith and will be applied against the purchase price of the home when the sale closes. Your REALTOR® can advise you on the suitability of the amount of the deposit being offered.

TERMS: Includes the total price the buyer is offering as well as the financing details. The buyer may be arranging his/her own financing or may ask to assume your existing mortgage if you have an attractive rate.

CONDITIONS: These might include "subject to home inspection," "subject to the sale of the purchaser's property."

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS: These might include appliances and certain fixtures or decorative items, such as window coverings or mirrors.

CLOSING OR POSSESSION DATE: Generally, the day the title of the property is transferred to the buyer and funds are received by the seller, unless otherwise specified. (the possession date is usually 1-3 days after the closing date).

Step 5: Secrets and Tips to Showing Your Home

Check the Exterior of your Home for:

• House exterior in good repair.
• House number easy to read.
• Eaves troughs, downspouts, and soffits in good repair.
• Garage/carport clean and tidy.
• Cracked or broken window panes replaced.
• Litter picked up.
• Lawns and hedges cut and trimmed.
• Walks shoveled and salted.
• Boot tray inside front door.
• Doorbell and door hardware in good repair.
• Porch and foyer clean and tidy.

Check the Interior of your Home for:

• Chipped plaster and paint touched up.
• Doors and cupboards properly closed.
• Leaky taps and toilets repaired.
• Burned out light bulbs replaced.
• Squeaky doors oiled.
• Mirrors, fixtures and taps cleaned and polished.
• Seals around tubs and basins in good repair.
• Floors cleaned, garbage containers emptied.
• Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy.
• Appliances cleaned.
• Countertops neat and polished.
• All lights turned on.
• Air conditioner turned on in warm weather.
• Fresh air in house.
• Fireplace lit in cooler weather.
• Halls and stairs cleaned.
• Drapes opened during daylight.
• Carpets freshly vacuumed.
• Fresh flowers in various rooms.
• Jewelry and valuables locked safely away or taken with you.
• Valuable property, such as objects of art, vases and figurines out of reach, out of sight, or locked away.
• Pets absent, where possible, or contained during the showing, and litter boxes clean.