Having a goal in mind is one of the best and most challenging parts of the human experience. As Emerson said, it really is about the journey, not the destination. When one goal is achieved, another one comes into focus! Step by step, every one of us seeks to elevate ourselves, our lives, and our families. And one of the best ways to realize those ambitions is through real estate.
The purchase of the first house is always a milestone worth celebrating, no matter how tiny, how much work needs to be done or how far away it is from civilization. Once you have a foothold in the market, your equity starts to grow and new possibilities appear on the horizon. The question is, what comes next?
The Unlimited Potential of Real Estate
Whether buying a house for yourself or renting out to build your equity, real estate is always a worthy investment. Everyone must start somewhere, and getting into the market in any way you can as soon as you can is advisable.
Have you ever driven or walked by one of the beautiful, spacious homes on a large, meticulously landscaped lot and wondered how anyone could afford it? In many cases, strategic buying and selling is how those homeowners made it happen.
Take the Toronto real estate market, for example. At the end of 2018, the average cost for a house was $750,180. By the middle of 2023, it had soared to $1,182,120. Selling your existing home at a substantial profit allows you to buy the next, perhaps one with more square footage or in a neighbourhood that was previously out of reach. When the time comes to sell that house, you elevate your life even more.
Understanding the real estate market is the first step to successfully achieving your goals. The following resources will give you a solid background:
- What Is the Real Estate Closing Process in Canada?
- How to Find the Right Realtor® for Your Luxury Listing
- Should You Sell Your Toronto Home in the Off Season
The Challenges of Today’s Market
In the current market, some houses sell quickly with multiple offers and well above their asking price. This makes perfect sense with the rising demand and short supply of available listings. What doesn’t always make sense is why other houses take much longer to sell and require much more negotiating and back and forth to finalize. In some cases, the home may need a lot of work, or perhaps the area isn’t the most desirable. Other times, there is no rhyme or reason. Finding the right buyer just takes time and effort.
But no matter what your situation, you need to fully maximize the value of your house to elevate your lifestyle and take the next step in your journey. Since the real estate market can be unpredictable, it’s best to take no chances and do everything possible to get the best results from your sale.
When selling your home, the way to get results is to take nothing for granted. Every detail matters, no matter how small. Finding a buyer largely depends on setting a competitive listing price, one that gets the most interest without undervaluing your home. The right price is essential, but meticulous preparations are the foundation of a successful sale with the least amount of stress.
Small Touches Can Make a Lasting Impression
Before listing your home and bringing potential buyers for a walkthrough, you must first be sure that your house presents well and sparkles from top to bottom. These preparations always include a deep cleaning of every room in your house, paying attention to the small details you may overlook during your routine chores. Washing the walls, cleaning the baseboards, scrubbing the areas behind closets and cupboards can make all the difference in the world.
And few things will have the incredible impact that decluttering will make. Sort out all of your belongings and make a decision to keep or discard them. Now is not the time to be sentimental! You might love the picture on the fridge that your child drew in the first grade. However, potential buyers may feel differently. They want to see the house as theirs, not yours, and removing all of your personal knickknacks out of sight will help them do that. It might be a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end. Recruiting your friends and family to help can ease your burden and add a little fun and enjoyment to the process.
Once cleaning and decluttering are out of the way, your real estate agent can help you decide on other minor updates that could add a substantial amount to your bottom line.
Want more tips to make your house stand out from all other listings in your area? The following posts will give you plenty of realistic ideas:
- A Vision for Your Home: Our Staging Expertise
- Lighting Techniques That Give Your Home an Instant Facelift
- Absolutely Fabulous! Secrets of Gorgeous Curb Appeal for Every Season
Your Secret Weapon to Maximize Your Sale
Preparing your house and getting the price right set the stage. The next step is to promote, promote, and then promote some more! A skilled real estate agent will leave no stone unturned to attract the attention of buyers, not just in Toronto but from all over the world. Extensive social media promotion, online and offline advertising, open houses, and interactive floor plans and Matterport tours are just a few ways your agent can help you generate interest from the most qualified buyers.
However, an agent with an extensive network is the most valuable resource of all. Whatever you need to help you through the process, a well-connected agent can provide. Skilled tradespeople, professional cleaners, and reputable movers are all at your fingertips. Best of all, a network of other agents provides a vast pool of potential buyers, often already pre-qualified and pre-approved, who are searching for a home in your area just like yours. With all of these skills and resources at their disposal, a local real estate expert can help you enjoy a fast and successful sale to empower whatever your next goal may be.
Do you have questions about Toronto or buying or selling in the current market? We are standing by to provide you with expert guidance and up-to-date information. Reach out to us today by email ana@asantos.ca or call 647.232.7317 for more information.