Selling your home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. Your home is likely your largest asset - this may be the biggest financial move you've ever made, one that requires significant thought and strategy.

Countless questions are unearthed during the process. How much is it really worth? How long will it take to sell in the current Vancouver real estate market? How do you handle buyers making undesirable offers?

As a top Vancouver Realtor with years of experience and a proven track record, it is my job to guide you through this complicated process, from beginning to end. I want you to get the maximum value for your home, within your own time frame.

Here are some tips to help you begin: 

1. Establish the Reasons You Want to Sell Your Home.

Before you begin the selling process, closely evaluate why you're moving. Do you have too little space or too much? Has your company transferred you to a new city and you're relocating from Vancouver? Or are you simply looking for a change?

A complete analysis of your current position will set a good foundation for your home-selling strategy, as well as for your next home hunt. If, for example, you have already purchased a new home and your goal is to make a quick sale on your current home, this reason will chart the path you take in the home-selling process. If, on the other hand, you aim to net the highest price possible for your home, you need to prepare yourself for a potentially slower process.

Be clear about these reasons, as they will directly influence the amount of time and effort you put into preparing your home for sale, and the amount you set for your asking price.

2. Buy or sell first? Be clear.

This can be a tricky question. After all, if you find a purchaser for your existing home before you've found a new home, you may find yourself living out of a suitcase if convenient closing dates cannot be negotiated. On the other hand, if you find your dream home before you've sold your old one, you may be faced with having to finance both homes and shoulder the extra debt until you sell.

So how do you manage? It can be quite simple. Do your homework and have a good idea about the Vancouver neighbourhood and type of home you're looking for. Do an honest evaluation of your family's needs and budget.

Speak to me start your new home search in Vancouver as soon as your existing home hits the market.

If you've found a home before you've sold your existing one, use "sale of your existing home" as a condition on your offer. If you don't sell your house within a fixed period of time, you can choose not to go through with the offer. This, however, is a difficult condition for many vendors to agree upon and you may find that you have to forgo your price negotiating power.

Purchasing a home before you sell could be a risky strategy if you're counting on the proceeds from the sale.

If you've found a purchaser before you've found your next home, use "purchase of a new home" as a condition when you sign back the agreement.

Again, it will only be for a fixed time. Even if you have not found the ideal next house by the time the deal closes, you may still wish to proceed with the offer. As a buyer with a "sold house" you will be in a better position to negotiate price.

3. Pricing.

The competitive nature of the current Vancouver real estate market means that over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could make the difference between your home selling quickly or not selling at all.

Overpricing your home might mean minimized offers, fewer showings, fewer agent responses, limited financing, limited buyers qualified for your type of home, or a smaller net price. Avoid these outcomes by setting the price of your home at its market value when you first list on the Vancouver market.

Contact me I'll help you price your home competitively to attract qualified buyers. The first step I'll take is to generate a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report, which will show you a range of prices being paid for homes in your area.

Visit my short online Home Evaluation form that will give you an initial idea of your home's market value.

4. Make Your House More "Sellable"

While we all believe that our home is our castle, our personal tastes may not appeal to everyone. I will work with you to provide you with an impartial analysis of your home - how it relates to other "competing" homes on the Vancouver real estate market and how your home reflects current design and style trends. I'll also closely evaluate the general condition and upkeep of your property.

I'll work with you to position your home on the market so that the selling process will take place as expeditiously as possible. Here's how:

5. Use my Professional Marketing Program to Sell Your Vancouver Home!

I will work with you to develop a unique marketing program, catered specifically to your needs and goals. This begins with my Automated Internet Marketing System - Online Presence: 24 hours a day! This system allows me to respond immediately and directly to every prospective buyer. On my website, buyers can get information immediately about your home. They can access my site any time and view your property listing!

Through my Personal Home Search, your listing will be sent to every prospective Vancouver buyer in my database, where your home meets their personal criteria. I will continue to e-mail it to prospective buyers as long as your home is on the Vancouver market.

As soon as you list your home with me, I will enter your listing in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Other agents can immediately access your property information by computer. Plus, your property will be included in any printed MLS books.

I regularly publish in Vancouver area magazines and newspapers and send out direct mail pieces to potential buyers.

Remember, I will be working with you every step of the way to ensure you get the highest possible price for your home in the shortest period of time.