DISCLAIMER ~ This post is sponsored by the Real Estate Council of Ontario. All opinions are my own. I only share content that excites me and I feel would be beneficial to Canadian Moms. If you are considering a move in the near future, get organized ahead of time with the following tips.
Is a move on your horizon?
If you’re a planner like me, you will want to get all of your ducks in a row at the beginning to avoid unnecessary stress.
They say that the experience of a move is up there in stress levels with a death in the family, starting a new job, marriage/divorce, and I believe it! There are so many things to take into consideration. It can be very overwhelming. AND once the ball starts to roll, things can move quite fast.
Growing up, my family only moved once, and to be honest, all I remember from that time was the excitement of moving into a new, bigger home. Ok, I also remember my Mom having us declutter and giveaway some of our toys. I had no idea all of the stress and preparation that my parents had on their plates (kudos to them for “hiding” that from me and my sister).
My parents moved again when I was in University, and let’s be honest…at that time, I was a little self involved.
Now, I find myself once again experiencing a move as my parents move out of their Summer Home/Cottage. A new chapter in their lives is beginning to unfold. And this time, as an adult, I am more in tune with the process; both on an emotional level as with the entire process.
There are so many things to consider BEFORE you put your house on the market and the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) has provided us with some tips to consider. A recent survey by RECO found that the majority of Ontarians who bought or sold a home in the last five years weren’t in the market for very long.
When you’re ready to make a move, stop and take a deep breath, create a plan and do your research before you enter the market. After all, you may begin by casually browsing listings only to stumble across the home of your dreams. And next, you suddenly find yourself making a major purchase faster than you had originally thought.
By being informed right from the start, you’ll have confidence in the decisions you are making, even if they do happen quickly.
These four tips will help you feel prepared for your upcoming move:
- Shop around when choosing a salesperson/broker BEFORE you shop around for a home.
Real estate salespeople and brokerages vary widely in terms of experience, expertise and services provided, so meet with at least three salespeople before you sign an agreement.When you have a shortlist of representatives, ask each of them questions to determine which one is right for you:
- Walk me through your real estate experience.
- Describe your general approach to buying and selling, and how your approach will best suit my needs.
- Tell me about the fees and commissions I’ll have to pay.
- Which services does your brokerage provide, and are any of them included in our agreement?
- How often will you provide me with progress updates, and how will we communicate?
- Could you please provide me with some references?
- Look them up.
Before you meet with any salespeople or brokers, be sure to look them up using the “Look up a real estate salesperson, broker or brokerage” search tool in the top right-hand corner of RECO’s website. It will tell you if they’re registered and in good standing, and if they have faced any disciplinary action. - Read and understand everything.
Whenever you’re presented with a document that requires a signature, read it and understand it thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification, or request that your representative walk you through it, line by line. If you’re still unsure about something, consider asking your lawyer for advice. Two legal documents that you will be required to sign are an agreement with your real estate representative as well as when you are buying or selling your home. - Be an active participant in the process.
Your salesperson is a knowledgeable resource who can help you make informed decisions, and you should always remember that you’re the one in the driver’s seat. You have a responsibility to perform your own due diligence: asking questions, understanding any required paperwork, conducting your own research (when necessary), and being an active participant through every step.
I love using this saying, because it is important for all of us to remember during different times in our lives:
You are not alone.
When was the last time you moved? Did you have any ah-ha moments during the process that you would like to share with others?
Remember Moms…we are a community, helping and learning together.
For more tips about buying or selling a home, check out www.reco.on.ca/family.
