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Selling a home can be complicated. From preparing the property for sale and marketing the listing to prospective buyers, to the negotiations and paperwork, there’s plenty to do. If you’re ready to start the selling process or you simply want to plan ahead, this guide is your starting point. Explore this guide for information on how to find the right listing agent, the dos and don’ts when listing and showing your home, selling strategies for move-up buyers, important terms you should know, and much more!
Selling a home step-by-step
Feel free to download the Home Seller's Guide above or click through our digital resources available at the tiles below. REMAX is here to make selling a home as smooth as possible.
Learn more
Choosing the right agent can make a difference in the quality of your...
1. Choose an agent
There's a lot to do when selling your home—and some things to avoid...
2. Seller dos and don'ts
A little home staging can go a long way to helping prospective buyers...
3. Home staging tips and tricks
Selling your home so you can move up the property ladder? Here are...
4. Selling as a move-up buyer
When you’ve decided to list your home for sale, these common terms...
5. home seller's glossary
HOME SellER'S GUIDE
Discover new insights on your journey to sold.
Download the Home Seller's Guide
Start your search
Download the Homebuyer's Guide
BROWSE LISTINGS
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Choosing the right agent can make a difference in the quality of your entire home-selling experience. And working with a REMAX agent means you unlock access to current market information and an extensive network of connections to help price, promote and sell your home.
FIND A REMAX AGENT
FIND THE RIGHT REMAX AGENT
Find a full-time agent
A lot goes into selling a home, from preparing and marketing the listing to negotiating and paperwork. Ensure your agent isn't using you as their "side hustle."
Choose someone with experience
Communication is key
You'll have a lot of questions. That's why it's important to find an agent that will navigate with effective and timely communication.
Do your due diligence
Find out if they have experience in your specific neighborhood and property type. A local agent will be able to guide you through local market conditions.
Research real estate agents online, read reviews and solicit recommendations from family and friends.
BACK TO HOMEPAGE
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QUESTIONS to ask a prospective real estate agent:
• How many homes have you listed and sold in the last year? • What services and resources do you offer? • How does the home-selling process work and what is expected of me? • How long are homes in my neighbourhood usually on the market? •How would you price and market my home?
• How many open-house tours do you conduct? Are you willing to add more? • What disclosure laws apply to me? • What does the listing agreement entail and what is your fee? • What happens if you (or another agent) find a buyer to purchase my house? • What happens if I’m not happy with your services?
NEXT: dos and don'ts
Read MORE: 10 questions you should be asking, to find the right agent for you!
Discuss all expenses and strategies for listing and marketing your home with your agent. Remember, the rate you pay an agent is negotiable. Consider the options and what it means for you. Be wary of deep discounts. More deals may mean less experience. A reputable agent, such as a REMAX agent, will be upfront and detailed, helping you to make confident and well-informed decisions.
seller dos and don'ts
Once you've decided to sell your home, there are lots of things to do—and not do. A REMAX agent will guide you through the process in detail, but in the meantime, here's a list of some things to keep in mind.
DO FINANCIALLY PREPARE
do Clear Out & Clean Up
Potential buyers should imagine your house as their own, Remove excess home décor, pack up the collectibles, put away the kids’ toys and eliminate pet evidence (unless your home includes a pet amenity like a dog washing station). You’ll also want to clean everything, from the baseboards to the ceilings and every spot in between. In addition, keep the house at a comfortable room temperature and avoid strongly scented air-fresheners.
PREVIOUS: FIND AN AGENT
NEXT: Staging tips
DO
DOn't
Pro tip:
Working with a real estate agent can be invaluable. Why try to do it all when you can hire a professional agent with the experience and expertise to do it for you? However, when you hire a real estate agent, don’t leave it all up to them. You’ll have a number of personal responsibilities to manage to help make your home selling experience successful.
FINANCIALLY PREPARE
x
Clear Out & Clean Up
UPDATE & UPKEEP
do Update & Upkeep
Impress house-hunters with simple yet visually appealing updates. Inside, consider swapping out old light fixtures, painting the walls a light neutral colour with white trim and replacing older carpets with new hard flooring. Outside, remember to trim bushes and trees, pull weeds, keep the grass cut or the driveway shoveled and add greenery and flowers for a flattering first impression.
RESPECT & RESPOND
Respect & Respond
Stay open to professionals’ (appraiser, inspector, stager, etc.) opinions on what changes can be made to make your home more broadly appealing. And don’t be offended by a low offer; discuss a plan with your agent to respond to the buyer. You’ll likely let them know the offer was too low, but that you are serious about accepting a better one.
FALL BEHIND
don't Fall behind
Selling your house is hard work, but it’s important to stay up to date on your responsibilities. Once you find a buyer, you must continue caring for the property as well as paying your mortgage and utility bills so you don’t have extra costs to cover at closing.
GET IMPATIENT
DON't get impatient
The time it takes to sell a home varies based on market conditions (and you may start to feel antsy). But no matter how fast or slow the sale of your house moves, it’s important to avoid entering into negotiations with buyers who aren’t pre-approved for a mortgage. Also, listen to your agent and set the price according to market conditions.
STOP AT THE SALE
DON'T STOP AT THE SALE
If you have an existing home to sell, you might anticipate excess funds after closing. But if you’re purchasing another home, it’s recommended to check in with your agent and mortgage professional before acting. You might need to replace a car, find a new loan, add to credit card balances or pull from savings. A quick check-in can help you understand how these actions may impact your finances.
HIDE or HOVER
DON'T HIDE OR HOVER
Your home needs to be ready when buyers are. Don’t request a 24-hour notice or allow communications to go unanswered. Inform your agent of any audio and/or video equipment in and around the home, as local laws and rules may require action for home tours. Make sure to leave during showings. Buyers appreciate space and may feel uncomfortable if you’re present. A good agent will share feedback from each tour
Staging your listing
and imperfections; buyers don’t want deferred maintenance issues.
Fix minor flaws
culling the clutter
furniture from rooms and clutter from countertops to make spaces appear larger.
Remove excess
everything including garages, closets, storage rooms and laundry rooms. Buyers look everywhere.
Clean and organize
pull back curtains and turn on lights in dim rooms to brighten areas and make rooms appear larger.
wash windows
in light neutral tones and pack up family pictures so buyers can envision their décor preferences.
Paint walls
2. DONATE IT
Pack it
For the items you’re donating, a number of charities offer scheduled donation pick-ups. Visit your favorite charity’s website to learn when they’ll be in your neighborhood.
If you can't use it, maybe someone else can.
2. donate it
For the items you’re packing, go online and search “portable storage and moving containers.” These convenient containers can be rented monthly and will save you a trip to a traditional storage unit. They are delivered to your house, and once you’ve packed it up, it’s picked up and stored for you until you’re ready to add more — or unload it at your new house.
Only take what you want and need.
1. Pack it
6 Tips to Stage It Yourself
PREVIOUS: Dos and don'ts
NEXT: Moving up?
When selling your home, a little staging can go a long way to attracting the right buyer, and helping them envision themselves living in your home. Staging is about maximizing your home's best qualities, minimizing the not-so-desirable features, and appealing to the broadest audience of home hunters.
For the items you’re dumping, first make sure they can be dumped. Certain items need to be recycled or properly disposed of. Check with your municipality website to find a convenient and affordable way to properly dispose of certain materials. If what you have truly can be junked, consider renting a dumpster for large quantities.
If you don't need or want it, it's time to let go.
3. scrap it
3. SCRAP IT
shovel the paths, mow the lawn, plant flowers and remove cobwebs from the door frames.
Manage your yard
When listing your house and preparing for showings, it’s best to organize your space. A good rule of thumb is to sort through all the items you don’t use regularly into three piles: pack it, donate it and junk it.
Bedrooms:
CHECKLIST
MOVING UP AS A BUYER
A move-up buyer is likely in a better financial position than first-time homebuyers, and a REMAX agent can help optimize a new sale. If you have an existing home, you probably have equity, which can make the move feel less like a compromise and more of a strategy. The logistics of upgrading your home can present new challenges and require a carefully considered plan.
PREVIOUS: STAGING A HOME
NEXT: GLOSSARY
2+
3+
4+
1+
Bathrooms:
Yes
No
Dedicated Office Sapce:
Central Air Conditioning:
.......................................................................
KITCHEN FEATURES
1-Car
2-Car
3-Car
Garage:
Attached
Detached
None
ROOMS:
Gas Oven
Gas Stove/Cooktop
Dishwasher
Center Island
Eat-in Kitchen
Walk-in Pantry
Updated Countertops
Fully Renovated
PRIMARY BEDROOM FEATURES
Primary Bathroom
Walk-in Closet
BATHROOM FEATURES
Double Vanity and Sinks
Double Shower
Bathtub
Wood Fireplace
Gas Fireplace
Main Level Laundry
Mudroom
Smart-Home Tech
Alarm System
Basement
Energy Efficient
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Separated Living Spaces
Mounted TV or Sound System Wiring
Dedicated Dining Room
Bonus Room / Loft Area
First-Floor Primary
Open Concept
Wooded Lot
Yard Space
Balcony or Deck
Outdoor Entertaining Area
OUTDOOR FEATURES:
Balcony
Fence
Pool
Shed
This comprehensive checklist will help ensure your listing description includes all of the essentials. And if you're buying a home, use it to ensure it has what you're looking for. Of course, your REMAX agent can help with it all.
move-up buyer OPTIONS
The “Sell First” strategy is ideal if you’re a move-up buyer who doesn’t want to be stuck paying two mortgages simultaneously. It also reduces the chances of having to lower your asking price if the sale isn’t happening at your preferred pace. This is a good option for move-up buyers who are banking on the proceeds of their sale to fund their new property. By selling first, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to purchase your next home.
SELL FIRST, BUY LATER
Aligning your purchase and sale dates can be tricky. Remember that there are three parties: you, the person you’re buying from, and the person you’re selling to, each with possible contingencies. You’ll also have to move out and move in on the same day. Flexibility is your best friend. You’ll need to plan ahead, research neighbourhoods, be pre-approved for a mortgage and have started the organizing and decluttering process before the big move.
TIME YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE
If you’re buying in a seller’s market, then buying first might be the way to go. By buying your new home before selling your old one, you won’t feel rushed into settling for a property that doesn’t meet your needs, or having to seek temporary housing while you shop in a tough market. You’ll still live in your existing home, allowing you time to shop and continue looking until you find that perfect place. Note: This could require a bridge mortgage.
BUY FIRST, THEN SELL
PREVIOUS: BE PREPARED
Home SELLER's Glossary
By understanding these home selling fundamentals, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the process and make confident, informed decisions. Keep reading to learn more—and don’t hesitate to contact your agent if you have any questions along the way.
Asking Price: The price that the seller has agreed to list their property for. The asking price is different from the selling price, which is the final price that has been agreed upon by the buyer and seller. Balanced Market: There is an equal balance of buyers and sellers in the market, which means reasonable offers are often accepted by sellers, and homes sell within a reasonable amount of time and prices remain stable. Bridge Financing: A short-term loan designed to “bridge” the gap for homebuyers who have purchased their new home before selling their existing home. This type of financing is common in a seller’s market, allowing homebuyers to purchase without having to sell first. Buyer’s Market: There are more homes on the market than there are buyers, giving the limited number of buyers more choice and greater negotiating power. Homes may stay on the market longer, and prices can be stable or dropping. Chattels: Unattached items in the home that can be removed without doing any damage to the property, such as curtains, but not the curtain rods since they are physically attached to the home. Chattels are usually not included with the home purchase, unless specified in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Closing: This is the final step in the homeselling process. Once all offer conditions outlined in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale have been met, at the end of the closing period, ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer and the keys are exchanged on the closing date outlined in the offer. Dates vary by location. Be sure to ask your real estate agent. Contingencies: When the sale of the home hinges on predetermined conditions, such as “conditional on financing” or “conditional on a satisfactory home inspection.” If the conditions are not met, the buyer can back out of the deal.
Counteroffer: When the original offer to purchase a home is rejected by the seller, the seller can counteroffer with adjustments, usually to the price or terms of the purchase, such as the closing date. Curb Appeal: The appeal of a home when viewed from the curb. Curb appeal includes the home’s exterior, front yard and anything else that’s visible from the street. Comparative Market Analysis: A comparative market analysis (CMA) is a report on comparable homes in the area that is used to derive an accurate value for the home in question. Fixtures: Items that are physically attached to the home and require tools to remove. Fixtures are included as part of the purchase. Examples of fixtures include ceiling lights, cabinet hardware and appliances. If the seller plans to take any fixtures with them when they move, either remove them prior to listing the home, or be sure to specify the fixtures in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. FSBO: Acronym for “For Sale By Owner,” meaning the seller hasn’t retained the services of a licensed real estate agent or broker to assist with the sale of their home. Home Value Estimator: A home value estimator is a tool, typically found online, that helps seller’s estimate the value of their property. The result is an estimate and is different from a detailed CMA provided by a real estate agent. MLS: The Multiple Listing Service, commonly referred to as MLS, is a database established by cooperating real estate brokers to provide data about properties for sale. .
Offer: An offer is a legal agreement to purchase a home. An offer can be conditional on a number of factors, commonly conditional on financing and a home inspection. If the conditions are not met, the buyer can cancel their offer. Seller’s Market: In a seller’s market, there are morebuyers than there are homes for sale. With fewer homes on the market and more buyers, homes sell quickly in a seller’s market. Prices of homes are likely to increase, and there are more likely to be multiple offers on a home. Multiple offers give the seller negotiating power and conditional offers may be rejected. Staging: Preparing a home for sale to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The staging process often includes decluttering, depersonalizing, deep-cleaning and minor updates such as painting and rearranging furniture
terms you should know
PREVIOUS: MOVE-UP BUYERS
