Clean T.O: 4 Valuable Tips to Sell Your Condo

There are many reasons why you’re over your condo in Toronto, but there’s four valuable tips about selling you may not know! Perhaps, you bought a unit when you were young and have simply outgrown of it. Maybe you’re moving onward and upward. Whatever the reason, you have chosen to sell. Consider these four ways to get the most market value out of your condo in Toronto!

1.    Hire a Real Estate Professional

If it’s your first time dealing with condo real estate and lack experienced relatives and friends- it’s time to hire a real estate professional. The fact is, real estate professionals can give you peace of mind. For instance, ensuring your condo agreement complies with local laws and giving you the low-down on all the important details.

If you’re not sure whether to hire a real estate lawyer, or a real estate agent check out this article from the Toronto Star. In addition to advising, real estate agents can help you advertise, price, show, negotiate your condo and handle the paperwork. Plus, their fees only amount to about one month’s rent. At the end of the day, you have a higher chance of closing your sale at or above market value if you hire a real estate professional.

2.    Listing Your Condo

If you don’t want to hire a real estate agent or just want to be proactive, your next step is to list your condo! It’s true that digital advertising is most common, however if you find yourself in a situation where a strategically placed flyer would work, go for it! For instance, if you’re trying to advertise to a niche group like young families, young couples or professionals- advertising through local newspapers or strategically-placed flyers could yield results!

However, many have successful dealings through Kijiji and Craigslist, as well as reputable real estate sites like MLS listings. However, it’s important to remember caution when selling online. For instance, you should be extremely careful when talking to ‘overseas’ tenants offering to take your condo without seeing it, as individuals who operate like this are known to scam.

Value

To gain full market-value of your condo, you have to really think about what it has to offer. Have you determined how much your condo is currently worth, given its size and location? How costly is it relative to other, similar condos in the area? Does it offer anything special? Remember that amenities, services, location, neighbourhood and transportation will all affect the value of your condo. Honestly, finding the value of your home has never been easier,  thanks to RBC’s Home Value Estimator to see how much your home is worth!

Timing

If you haven’t heard, timing is everything. And Apparently Canadians prefer moving home in the summer, fall and spring! That one’s not so hard to figure out, who wants to move in the winter? However, this is not to say that sales don’t happen all year! They just might take a little longer. Ultimately, you want to keep seasons, economy, location, interest rates, and government policies in mind when you’re thinking of putting your condo on the market. Check out this article to learn more about the best times to sell in Toronto!

Photographs

Finally, it’s time to create the listing and you have to start thinking about those essentials, like photographs. Having good quality images of your condo will be your key to reeling in potential buyers. Make sure you take good quality, true-to-life images that capture the essence of your condo’s interior and the surrounding amenities. The more pictures the better. However, do not take any photographs before you stage! Even if the picture is professional, an un-staged home will not sell as quickly, or for as much. For tips on how to create the perfect aesthetic read on! For more information about the images, check out this article to avoid making common real-estate photography mistakes!

3.    Staging

If you like decorating, you’ll enjoy staging! While some have a soft spot for fixer uppers, the majority of buyers want to be able to slide into your home as is. Just think about model homes you’ve seen, with their neutral style and colouring. Applying a neutral style to your condo will allow prospective buyers to project their visions and dreams onto the space, and drive your value up!

In addition, a little home cleaning and repair could go a long way. Before you take photos for the listing- or dare show the condo- make sure to clear away your clutter, and add homey touches like flowers or coffee table books to common spaces. To really make an impression, you could even leave out a pot of tea or plate of cookies! In the end, the more comfortable the buyers feel the higher your chances. After all, you’re selling them a lifestyle. Check out this article for some key condo staging tips!

4.    Showings

All of the previous steps have led to this moment. The lawyer, the agent, the listing, the staging- it all comes down to the showing. This is your chance to make your buyer fall in love. Unless you’ve outsourced, it’s your job to give prospective buyers the ‘grand tour’. Remember, don’t be shy to rave about your condo and all the features you love!

Don’t hold back from sharing small conveniences, like how accessible the subway is or how late the store closes downstairs. Likewise, don’t be afraid to tell them about how your nieces and nephews love to swim in the condo’s pool. Ultimately, it’s those little real-life anecdotes that will help paint a picture and seal the deal. To learn more, check out this article with some great tips on how to show your home!

Tenant Trouble

There is no reason your showing shouldn’t run smoothly- unless you currently have a tenant. In fact, it’s been reported that tenants cause 80% of showings to fall through! In fact, they can make the whole process difficult, holding you up at every stage; from cleaning to listing. For example, your tenant could be aggressive and refuse to leave the condo during showing times, and make your buyers uncomfortable. If you’re worried on losing one month’s rent, think about all the money you’ll lose in market value. Not convinced? Check out this article to hear about a tenant horror story and why you should always terminate a lease before selling.

Finally, Getting Your Value

At the end of the day, you’re dealing with an asset of major value. And the truth is, you’re only going to get your money’s worth- or more- by maximizing its full potential. For some, that could mean a basic clean, deep clean or move in/move out clean. For others, it could mean replacements or repairs to painting, floors and fixtures.

So to really get your money’s worth, consider fixing up your condo and bringing in professional home cleaners. There’s a reason cleaning services have processes dedicated to moving in and moving out! Times of transition are stressful, and the last thing you need to be doing is cleaning. Let a cleaning service in Toronto do it for you, and do it well. We don’t want to brag, but you should check out Maid4Condos Services that can aid you in those times of stress! We can help you end your old life on a clean note, and start your new one on a fresh page.

Hungry for more?

This post was brought to you by Maid4Condos, a top-rated residential cleaning service dedicated to the people of Toronto. Maid4Condos has been a committed partner to the Toronto cleaning and construction scene for years, and continues to provide exceptional cleaning services to clients. Get a FREE quote & book your cleaning today or follow this link to learn more of what we’re all about!

Visit the Maid4Condos blog and follow us on FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram for more industry news, Toronto lifestyle guides and cleaning tips!