Housing Affordability in Toronto: A New Approach to Homeownership
Toronto is an expensive city to live in. It is notorious for its lack of affordable housing, and yet there is never a shortage
July 31, 2014
Selling your Toronto home? When you’re getting ready to put your property on the market, there are many things to think about, to prepare for, and to organize. To avoid the pitfalls when selling your home, Andrew Doumont at Onepercentguys.com will break down the 8 most common mistakes in 3 parts. Here’s part 1 of 3 –watch out for these mistakes!
Every seller wants to realize as much money as possible when selling. But a listing price that is too high often gets the seller less than a price that is at market value. If your house is not priced competitively, people looking in your price range will reject your house in favour of larger homes for the same price. At the same time, the people who should be looking at your house will not see it because it is priced over their heads. Over pricing usually increases time on the market, and that adds to the carrying costs. Ultimately, many overpriced properties sell below market value.
Buyers look for homes, not houses, and they buy the home in which they would like to live. Owners who fail to make the necessary repairs, who don’t spruce up the house inside and out, touch up the paint and the landscaping, keep it clean and neat, chase buyers away as rapidly as realtors can bring them. If you were selling your car, you would wash it, or maybe even detail it to get the highest price. Houses are no different.
Buying a house is an emotional decision. People like to “try on” a house and see if it is comfortable for them. It’s difficult for them to do that if you follow them around pointing out every improvement that you’ve made. It may even have the opposite effect you want, by making them feel they’re intruding on your private space. Resist the temptation to talk the entire time a buyer is there…let them discover things on their own. Try a tasteful sign posted on a door or wall to point out some hidden amenity that they might miss.
Andrew is an expert low commission Toronto, Etobicoke and GTA real estate agent with Royal LePage. He enjoys sharing his years of expertise and knowledge; both professionally and ethically. Andrew Doumont has Mississauga, Oakville, Downtown Toronto and Etobicoke listings and can help you buy or sell your home quickly and efficiently. With listings from all spectrums of the market he caters to each one distinctly, and with exceptional results.