Residential

Selling your home

Selling a home takes the right price, good presentation and the right buyers seeing it. My background in advertising helps with the presentation and the marketing. Price it from recent sales nearby, fix the cheap things, and plan your next move before you list.

Colourful painting of a BC coastal cove with tall evergreens at sunset

Residential real estate

What selling a home involves

A plain explainer if you’re new to this.

  1. What it is

    Selling the place you live

    You list your home, review offers and complete the sale.

  2. How it works

    Offers, subjects and completion

    Buyers make offers with subjects, then remove them. Most BC home sales have a three-business-day rescission period for the buyer after acceptance.

  3. Costs

    Commission and legal fees

    Budget for commission, legal fees, and paying out your mortgage.

  4. What I prepare

    Price and disclosure

    I price it against recent sales and help prepare the disclosure and strata documents buyers will ask for.

Pricing

I price on recent sales of similar homes, adjusted for size, condition, view, parking and the building. I can show you the evidence, so the number makes sense to you.

Preparing the home

Small things make a difference: decluttering, repairs a buyer would notice, cleaning and good light. I can give you a short, practical list. For strata homes, I get the documents ready early so buyers can move quickly.

Marketing

Good photos, a floor plan, a clear description and the listing services. I’ve worked in advertising and communications since 2010, and I know how to present a property well.

Offers

Compare price, subjects, deposit and dates. A slightly lower offer with fewer subjects and a strong deposit can be the better one. I can go through each offer with you.

Buying and selling at the same time

If you’re also buying, the order and dates matter. We can plan a completion date that gives you time to move, or put a subject to sale on your purchase.

Questions people ask

What does it cost to sell a home in BC?

Commission, legal or notary fees, any mortgage discharge or penalty, and moving costs. We’ll agree on commission in writing before listing.

Should I renovate before selling?

Usually only small repairs and cosmetic work. Big renovations rarely pay for themselves before a sale.

How long will it take to sell?

It depends on the price, the market and the home. I can give you an honest view based on recent sales.

What should I gather, ask and watch for?

Documents to gather

  • Title and property tax notice
  • Strata documents, if a strata
  • Receipts for renovations
  • Mortgage statement

Questions to ask

  • What did similar homes sell for, and how fast?
  • What should I fix before listing?
  • What will selling cost all in?
  • When should I buy my next home?

Common mistakes

  • Overpricing at the start
  • Not fixing small, cheap problems
  • Buying before selling without a plan
  • Forgetting the mortgage penalty

Typical timeline

  1. Weeks 1 to 3Prepare and price
  2. On the marketVaries with the market
  3. SubjectsOften about 5 to 10 days
  4. CompletionOften 30 to 60 days

Typical ranges. Your lease, lender and the City set the real dates.

Go deeper

If you’re looking for more details

Getting the home ready
  • Small repairs and touch-ups
  • A deep clean and less clutter
  • Good photos
  • Strata documents ready if it’s a condo or townhouse
The costs

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Next step

Thinking of selling your home?

I can give you an honest view of price and timing.