5 Selling Tips for a Hot Spring Market

If you are preparing to sell your home or cottage, you’ve likely been reading about (or at least thinking about) the impending flurry of activity in the real estate market in the spring. There’s something about a long, cold winter indoors that makes owners crave a change when the ground thaws and the trees bloom. If you are one of the many sellers preparing to put their home or cottage on the market this spring, here are just a few tips to keep in mind as you enter the selling process.

1. Find the Right Realtor(R)

This step is undoubtedly the most important, and should be one you are thinking about long before the time comes to put your home or cottage on the market. The perfect Realtor(R) for you should be trust-worthy, easy to talk to, and should understand your needs. Your Realtor(R) should help you with the following 4 steps (including pricing and marketing your home of course!). Don’t know where to begin with finding a realtor? Have a look at Our Approach to see if selling with the Gardiner Team is right for you. Think you can go it alone? Here are 7 reasons why you need a Realtor now more than ever.

2. Scout the Competition

What people often don’t realize is that the viability of their home or cottage sale tends to have more to do with what else is currently offered on the market than what they feel their property is worth. Buyers and their realtors will be quick to compare your property and its price against others of similar size, age, and location to determine a fair buying price. Do some research (along with your realtor) and be aware of your competition. Being able to highlight your property’s advantages in comparison to the rest of the listings out there will give you an edge in negotiations.

3. Prepare Your Property

Do not underestimate the value of a new coat of paint, a spotless garage, or an entirely staged home or cottage. A buyer’s vision tends to be limited when it comes to seeing themselves in your home or cottage, and even small details like smell, decor, or light could put them off right away. Work with your realtor or a staging company to place your home or cottage in its best light, feeling bright, fresh, and free of clutter.

4. Don’t Lurk

The selling process can, at times, be intrusive to your daily schedule. Buyers will want to come back for a first, second, or third look at a moments notice and you may find it bothersome to rearrange your plans to accommodate them. Although it may seem reasonable to want to hang around during an open house or a showing, do your best to leave during this time. Go over to a neighbours place or go for a walk. Buyers will feel less pressure and more freedom to look in closets, ask questions, and really get a feel for the place without a lurking owner.

5. Don’t Get Emotional

Buying and selling real estate is unlike any other business transaction in that it is undoubtedly an emotional one. Your home or cottage is your retreat from the world outside, where you’ve shared happy memories with friends and family so it makes sense that you see it in its most romantic light. It is tough not to place a heightened value on your home or cottage, but it is important not to take negotiations personally or to sneer at any incoming offers.

Feature image via Explorer’s Edge

This entry was posted on March 21, 2019 by Jim and Iris

Words of Appreciation

“Thank you for the memorable sales and closing experience of finding the cottage of our dreams. A perfect fit for our needs.”

I & E – Lake Muskoka cottage buyers

“Jim and Iris Gardiner were both amazing to deal with. A truly professional team. They shared a great deal of knowledge with us and really shed important light regarding potential Island Cottage ownership – all the pros and cons. Not only did they sell our existing cottage in 24 hours for much higher than our asking price they helped us find our new slice of paradise on Lake Muskoka in a very tight market. We are thrilled with our new cottage and love being on Eilean Gowan Island! We would highly recommend either Jim or Iris for any of your Real Estate needs!”

J & D – Sold on Echo Lake and bought on Lake Muskoka

Jim did me a favor 20 years ago and I wanted to return the favor – I approached him and Iris at the cottage show and, even though I already had a real estate agent, he recommended a cottage property that I purchased and enjoyed for those 20 years. I therefore, tracked him down and had him be our agent in selling that property. Our priority was to find new owners that would be friendly and fit in well with the neighbors and Jim and Iris found the perfect couple Jim and Iris made the entire sale most enjoyable. The experience was so smooth and enjoyable that the sellers, the buyers and the real estate agents all got together for supper the following summer at our old cottage!

K & L – Lake Muskoka

It is with great pleasure and appreciation for me to recommend the services of Jim Gardiner and the entire Gardiner Team. Jim’s awareness of community by-laws and market related activities extracted incremental value for us when we were finalizing the purchasing agreement.

JB – Mirror Lake

Just want to tell you that you did a fine job for me on the cottage sale on Lake Muskoka. The sale has removed a huge load from my shoulders. Iris, just a note to thank you again. Money is in the bank!!!!!!

BJ – Lake Muskoka