One Percent Realty February 11, 2014

As one of the top real estate agents in Etobicoke and the Greater Toronto Area, I get a lot of questions. The following are some of the ones I get most frequently.

If you have a question that’s not covered on this page, you can call me any time and I will be happy to answer it. My number is 416-458-9252; you can also email me at andrew@onepercentguys.ca.

What Does It Cost To Sell A House In Etobicoke Or Elsewhere In The GTA?

The typical fee to sell a home in the GTA is 5% of the sale price of the property + HST. The fee is further divided to represent each respective party in a real estate transaction; 2.5% for the listing (or selling) side and 2.5% for the buying side. Instead of the typical 2.5% fee for listing ( or selling) your home, One Percent Guys charges 1%. The 2.5% on the buyer’s side commission does not change.

Please note, there are other fees associated with selling your home such as lawyer’s fees, mortgage disbursements and moving costs.

Do You Really Charge Just 1% In Real Estate Fees?

Yes, we really only charge 1% to list your property. The typical fee on the listing side is 2.5% in the GTA.

The rise of technology and changing landscape of the real estate market makes it easier than ever to list your home and sell it for excellent market value. The costs of doing business and the number of ways you can attain clientele have also dramatically changed. With the use of the internet to market properties, it’s less expensive for agents to effectively get the news out about their new listing(s). With elite marketing and effective pricing strategies, our team simply gets the job done for less.

OK, But What’s The Catch?

Honestly, there isn’t one. There are no hidden fees, we don’t take photos of your home on an iPhone and we have 15 years of experience in the industry. OnePercentGuys.ca operates under Keller Williams Referred Urban Realty, one of the leading real estate brokerages in the GTA which is a part of the largest brokerage in the world, Keller Williams. Our experience and credentials are the same as other leading sales representatives, and so are the services we offer; the only difference is we charge less.

See the chart below to discover how a low, 1% real estate fee saves you money.

 

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What are the “upfront fees” to list our home?

None! Listing your home doesn’t require any upfront costs and you still get low commission real estate services. All fees including commission, HST (only on services i.e. realtor, lawyer etc) are paid once the transaction is completed. Our services are free of cost UNTIL we sell your home for the price & terms YOU want!

What’s A Good Time To Sell My Home?

That’s a good question. The truth is, there is no singular answer. In general, the GTA real estate market is more active in the spring, summer and fall than in the winter. Often, you will get more action during peak seasons in the spring and late summer/early fall.

However, the decision to sell is highly personal, and depends on your needs. If you are moving in the winter and need to sell your current home for financial reasons, it may be better to sell in a down season than put off your move. Also, the Toronto real estate market continues to be very strong, even during the slower months we get great offers for most properties in a reasonable timeframe.

Should I Buy Or Sell First?

Again, this is a highly individual matter and depends on your needs. Having proceeds from a recent sale on hand will certainly make financing your next purchase easier. That’s one reason you might want to sell first. On the other hand, buying first means you can move into your new home when you want to.

As a general rule, if you’re buying a highly, in-demand property and selling one that’s not so desirable, it’s better to buy first. The reason for this is, in the time that it takes to sell your less-desirable property, the hot one could be sold.

My House Is Not In The Best Condition–Is There Anything I Can Do About This?

The condition of your home of course will have an impact on the sale price.

Fortunately, the answer to your question is yes; there’s a lot you can do to improve the condition of your home before listing. This is a process that real estate agents call ‘staging;’ it involves decluttering, re-decorating, and even renovating your home before listing it. We appreciate that you may not have the budget for major renovations; the truth is, even simple fixes like re-organizing furniture and keeping the home clean can have a major impact. P.S. We offer a free staging consultation!

Does Marketing Really Help Sell Homes?

Yes! Marketing is the most viable tool to attract interest in your property. Our team attributes marketing as the key component in the majority of our sales. We offer a full scope of online marketing strategies including MLSⓇ, realtor.ca, google, social media, email and personal referrals through our extensive buyer/seller client database. Simply putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign near your home will result in far fewer offers than you would see if you had actively marketed your property.

The GTA real estate market is extremely active, with hundreds of transactions taking place every week. To stand out in this market, it’s absolutely crucial that you and your agent actively market your home.

I Have Already Received An Offer For My Home, But The Buyer Has Not Sent In Their Cheque. Can I Still Accept Offers From Other Buyers?

Great question. Ultimately, the answer depends on whether you have accepted the offer and tendered it in writing. If you have signed a contract with a buyer then you are bound by it; for this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that your buyer has a certified cheque before entering an agreement to sell.

Are public open houses still a viable method of selling a property?

With the advent of mobile technology and the leaps in photography and videography, open houses have become a somewhat antiquated method in pursuing buyers. The truth is, most people prefer a private showing where they are able to think and respond more naturally to the home. Most of the time an open house is not something that is necessary to sell your property but of course every transaction is unique and some properties may call for it.

Through 15 years of experience, our team has traced less than 6% of our sales to open houses. It’s not the only way to sell a home, but it also doesn’t hurt in a strong market and it can be effective.

How Do I Know What My Home Is Worth?

The GTA market is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world and values of properties can vary substantially from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. Ultimately, the value of a home comes down to a number of factors, including:

  • Location
  • Size & Type of Property (Detached, condo, semi, townhouse, etc.)
  • Condition
  • Finishes & Features
  • Valued physical features such as ravine lot, southern exposure, amenities, etc
  • Age

Typically, it’s a good idea to price your home similarly to recent sale prices of comparable properties. We are experts at market evaluations and understand the nuances of the different sub-markets that the GTA contains (condo market, detached market, flip properties, etc.). Simply put, effective pricing strategies generate interest which results in more offers and less days on the market – ideal conditions for selling your property.

I’ve Had A House On The Market For Weeks Now And It’s Not Selling. What Should I Do Differently?

There are a number of things you can do to help your home sell. The GTA real estate market is very active, and most homes should sell given adequate marketing and promotion. Factors that may negatively impact your home’s time-on-market include: pricing it too high, poor marketing or a lack of marketing, lack of preparation in keeping your home ‘sell friendly’, or attempting to sell without an agent. It’s always a good idea to speak with a real estate sales representative before selling your home.

Sometimes, finding the right buyer for a unique property can take some time. Our team highly values communication and will always reach out to you if we feel that a change in strategy can be effective.

I’m Looking For Some Advice. I currently own a home in the GTA and I Want To Sell Before I Move On [Date]. What Can I Do To Start Getting Offers Quickly?

Excellent question. The key to selling your home within a reasonable timeframe is marketing. Positioning your home effectively will always increase your chances in generating a quick sale. Our team utilizes a number of marketing strategies to sell your home, including listings, open houses, staging and more. If you have a home in the GTA that you would like to sell soon, please call us anytime at 416-458-9252 and we will be happy to explore your options with you.

Do you post listings on MLSⓇ and Realtor.ca?

Absolutely we do. MLSⓇ and Realtor.ca are a real estate agent’s lifeline for selling your home. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the GTA real estate market runs on these platforms. We list your property on both platforms as part of our Full Real Estate Services package.

What is MLSⓇ and do I need it?

MLSⓇ is an acronym for Multiple Listing Service. It’s a database that lets you reach a large number of prospective buyers and increases your home’s exposure. Only licensed real estate professionals have access to the main database. MLSⓇ participating brokers can enter contracts to share commission on the sale of homes. So, for example, if you list your home with one broker and another sells it, they split the commission indicated in the listing agreement (typically 5% in the GTA).

Please note, there are no fees or service charges to list your property via MLSⓇ. This is a standard procedure that is provided with our Full Real Estate Services package.

Do You Charge Any Fees To Post My Listing On MLS(r)?

No! Sometimes I do have to repeat myself “I’m a full service, experienced Realtor”! (I just charge less in commission). There are no fees or service charges to list your property on MLS(r). It comes complimentary as part of my full real estate services coverage.

What does “Full Real Estate Services” mean?

Full Real Estate Services is subjective, as a sole proprietor we as agents can run our business however we see fit but in general terms it means that we represent you through every step of the process; from listing all the way to the final price negotiation and the closing of the sale. Our full service package includes:

  • Listing your property on MLS® and REALTOR.ca
  • Full scope of marketing via key real estate websites and platforms, google, social media, email and personal referrals.
  • Providing high-resolution photos/videos (depending on the property).
  • Providing high-quality signage and advertising.
  • Holding open houses.
  • Lock box.
  • Booking Home showings.
  • Providing feedback
  • All documentation and contracts.
  • Representing you in negotiations with the buyer’s agent.
  • And finally, getting you through the final hours on closing day!

 

What are the first steps I should take before selling a home in the GTA?

The number 1 recommendation to any homeowner before selling a home is:

1. Get a clear picture of your financial situation. Speak with an accountant and/or financial planner and meet with your mortgage lender or banking institution. They will provide you with professional insights on tax matters, financing for your next home, etc.

2. Speak with a realtor. Once you have your financial picture sorted out, we are ready to represent you all the way to the final sale!

How Can I Get In Touch With One Percent Guys?

We are ready to take your call at any time, and will respond to any request within 12 hours. Feel free to contact us any time using one of the options below:

Phone: 416.458.9252

Email: andrew@onepercentguys.ca