This section offers information regarding the sale of a home. It includes many suggestions on how to put your home on the market and ensure that its sale is satisfactory to both you and the future buyer.

Giving your Home a Make-Over	top of page

Before putting your home up for sale, giving it a good make-over is recommended. Any real estate expert will tell you that a clean and well-kept home is much easier to sell.

If your home is in good condition, you do not have to renovate it from top to bottom. A good cleaning and a few litres of paint should do.

Setting a Price	top of page

You must also determine your home's value. The price you set must not be too high or too low. If it is too high, your home will not sell; if it is too low, you will lose your investment.

Of course, everyone wants to get the most out of the sale of their home. To make sure your asking price is appropriate, however, you must make a comparative analysis of market prices. This task is not as complex as it may seem. You need only find the addresses of similar homes that have recently been sold. Through the municipality in which these homes are located, you can obtain their lot number and cadastral designation. Certain cities even offer this service on-line. With this information, you can go to your regional registry office to search for their sale price.

You can determine the market value of your home by averaging out the sale prices of these similar homes. Remember that you will attract more buyers and sell your home faster if you set a realistic price. Employing a real estate agent will also lower your profits because of the commission you will have to pay. Generally set at 7 %, this commission is also taxable.

You are now ready to list your home on our web site. You can save thousands of dollars. All you have to do is click on 'Listing a Home', on the top left hand corner of this page.

Before Showing your Home	top of page

Buyers want to purchase a clean and well-kept home. Some minor improvements may be necessary to make sure yours is as appealing as it may be.

Outside, make sure that :

	The lawn has been cut, weeds removed, hedges and shrubs trimmed and flowers well cared for;
	pathways are cleared of snow and ice;
	gutters are not cluttered with leaves;
	the pool's water is crystal clear;
	the garage and garden shed are clean and tidy;
	the garbage has been properly put away;
	the porch and the entrance are spotless;
	lighting is sufficient if the visit takes place at night.

Inside, make sure that :

	Your home has been aired out;
	floors, appliances, counters, windows, mirrors and bathroom accessories shine;
	closets and cupboards are well organized;
	all doors open properly without creaking;
	calking around the bathtub has been cleaned or replaced;
	faucets do not leak;
	garbage cans have been emptied;
	lighting is sufficient (open curtains, let the sun in);
	the temperature is comfortable.

Remember that cleanliness is a major asset. Areas that are well lit and not cluttered appear bigger, and are therefore more appealing.

When you Show your Home	top of page

The time has come to show your home? Potential buyers have arrived?

From the moment they arrive, be pleasant and caring. Of course, you will have already turned down the music and turned off the television. If possible, keep pets at a distance, as they may bother certain people. Make sure that the atmosphere is calm and that few people are around. Otherwise, your guests will think they are intruding.

Have a pleasant attitude so that people are comfortable asking for more information or a second look. Give them all the time they need to discover by themselves the many wonders of your home.

If someone asks a question you are unable to answer (the availability of public transportation, etc.), offer to let him/her know; your effort will be much appreciated.

If your home is listed on the clickhome2000.com site, give your guests a copy of its features. There is no better source of detailed and accurate information.

At the end of the visit, remind your guests that they can always call back for further information.

After Showing your Home	top of page

Unless you have agreed otherwise, wait for potential buyers to call you back. They will do so if they want a second visit, a sure sign of interest.

During the second visit, be as welcoming and as eager to answer their questions as in the first visit.

Negotiating a Price	top of page

Set an asking price, which is negotiable to a certain degree. Buyers do not appreciate firm non-negotiable prices. Notwithstanding the price, other features in your home may work in your favor. Do not hesitate to remind potential buyers of major assets, like the proximity of services, the quality of the construction, major renovations, etc.

If a potential buyer makes an offer that seems ridiculous, remain pleasant. Not all people are experienced negotiators. But if you show willingness, they will be tempted to do the same. After all, these people may be future clients.

Purchase Offer	top of page

Someone has made a purchase offer? Before accepting, refusing or making a counter-offer, it is normal to carefully review the buyer's offer. Asking a notary's advice could help you avoid future misunderstandings.

Purchase offers generally contain the following items :

	Names and addresses of vendors and buyers;
	date of the offer and address where it has been signed;
	object of the offer, i.e. purchase or exchange;
	exact address of the property to be purchased, including its cadastral designation (lot number);
	price offered for the property;
	payment terms ($20,000 cash and $80,000 mortgage, etc.);
	amount of deposit that often accompanies the offer, showing the seriousness of the transaction;
	items included in the sale price (appliances, fixtures, alarm system, blinds, etc.)
	date of purchase and occupancy;
	vendor obligations (for example supplying titles of ownership and a recent certificate of location within a predetermined period);
	buyer obligations (for example securing a mortgage or selling his home within a predetermined and reasonable period);
	vendor declarations (urea-formaldehyde or pyrite-free home, etc.);
	date the deed of sale will be signed in notary's office;
	expiration date and time of the purchase offer. The vendor usually has 24 to 48 hours to accept or reject the offer.

Purchase offers may also include other provisions :

	Purchase will only occur if the mortgage is secured*;
	purchase will only occur if buyer sells his current home. Nowadays, few vendors accept this clause. If you choose to accept it, request that the home be sold within a reasonable period or search for another buyer while giving the buyer the opportunity to cancel this clause;
	purchase will only occur after inspection of the property*, to the satisfaction of the buyer;
	false statements on the part of the vendor will render the deed of sale null and void;
	home must be surrendered in the state it was at the time of the inspection.

* In today's marketplace, the buyer is expected to secure financing and have the home inspected within a reasonable period of one to two weeks.

The information contained on this site is offered free of charge by Clic Maison 2000 inc. While it was found to be accurate at the time of its inclusion, this information does not have force of law and should not be interpreted as representing the norm.

clicmaison2000.com cannot be held liable for any disagreement, omission or erroneous interpretation resulting from the use of this site. All legally binding documentation produced with the site's help must be submitted to a lawyer or notary for review and approval.