Binfet & Company Notaries Public

SELLING YOUR HOME

Selling your home can be experience that many of us can do without! The process can be broken
down into two different categories-selling privately and/or selling through a Real Estate Firm.

Selling Privately:

1) Make a list of all the good points of your home you are selling. Do up a "presentation sheet", with pictures, to give to prospective buyers.
2) Go to your local Notary Public office or Government Agent's office and have them do a title search of your property. Get a copy of any easement, right of way or covenant on title. Make copies for prospective purchasers.
3) Establish your selling price. Most homes that do not sell are because of price and location and it is usually price---too high!! The best-unbiased method is getting an appraisal done by a qualified appraiser.
4) Once the price has been established, add a cushion on for bartering and negotiation.
5) Advertise in a paper where there are other real estate being sold. Don't advertise in a tool magazine, because it's cheap. People want tools, not houses.
6) Get a "contract of Purchase and Sale" from your local stationery store. Make sure it is a current one! Understand what all the clauses mean and how to fill it out. If you are not sure, go to your local Notary Public and have him write the contract for you. If this happens, bring the buyer with you. What you understand and the buyer understands can be two different things!
7) Subject to Financing, subject to home inspection reports, subject to water quality, etc are terms you should understand and be aware of.
8) Get a deposit of at least ten (10)% of the selling price. Have the cheque Certified and made out to the Notary Public in Trust.

Remember, most contracts written privately are void for uncertainty - no dates, no legal description, incomplete wording, etc. If in doubt, see your Notary Public!

Selling Through a Real Estate Firm:

Points to ponder:

1) Pick a Real Estate Firm that has the lion's share of the market. The reason is simple-if the firm is selling over 50% of the real estate in your area, this means they have over 50% of all the customers. If you pick a two-man firm that sells 2% of the local Real estate, you get only 2% percent of the clients possibly looking at your house.
2) Pick a Realtor that has been in the business for some time or a rising star in the local Real Estate market. They have a proven track record and will get the job done.
3) Ask at least three (3) different Realtors for a Market Evaluation of your property. When received, pay particular attention to the presentation and quality of it. Market evaluations done on pasted photocopy paper are an indication of the type of Realtor abilities you will be dealing with.
4) Once you have decided on your Realtor and firm discuss the Real Estate commission/don't be afraid to barter.
5) Remember, the asking price for your home locally has nothing to do with the price of homes in the City you are moving to. If in doubt, get an appraisal done on your home by a qualified appraiser - best money ever spent and it keeps the Realtor on his toes!

Call us to discuss the proper way to sell your home or property. We can be reached at 250-492-3110.