Tiffany and Dean lived in a beautiful, custom home in Etobicoke that they had painstakingly remodelled over the years, transforming a humble, 900-square-foot bungalow into a gorgeous two-story masterpiece.
Then came 2022, the peak of one of the busiest markets Toronto has ever seen. The couple were still paying off their mortgage, and Dean was looking forward to retiring soon. All of their hopes and dreams hinged on the successful sale of their home.
Who could they trust with this vital transition? In this article, Tiffany and Dean share the value and expertise Ana Santos delivered at every stage in their home sale.
If you plan to sell your home, you need to attract the attention of today’s buyers. To learn more, check out The Complete Guide to Staging and Preparing Your Toronto House for Sale.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Home Selling Success
Tiffany and Dean began their journey with detailed research into local real estate brokerages that could market and sell a high-end listing. Along the way, they left a message at Harvey Kalles, and were deeply impressed that Harvey himself returned their call.
Harvey listened carefully to their situation, and simply said, “Stop searching. Ana is the one you need.” Next, Tiffany booked an appointment for Ana to come to view the home and start the conversation.
She fully intended to talk to other candidates. The right fit was important, and who hires the first agent they encounter? Tiffany didn’t want Ana to assume it was a done deal, but she also didn’t want to disappoint her. “We do have a couple other agents we’re considering,” Tiffany remembers saying.
Ana simply replied, “I wouldn’t waste your time.”
Tiffany was astounded. “There wasn’t even a hint of arrogance in the statement. Ana was just that confident in her abilities and her track record. And based on the results we got, it was completely justified,” Tiffany said.
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Terror and Hope About Signing With a Realtor®
“The last thing I wanted was to end up with a real estate agent that comes across as the stereotypical ‘used-car salesman.’ I don’t do well with pushy people,” Tiffany said.
Dean’s description of past dealings with real estate agents was a little more colourful! Fortunately, Ana was the polar opposite of everything they feared.
“She’s a fireball when it comes to negotiations, but she’s also genuinely a nice person. She’s likeable and a consummate professional all in one package,” Dean said. “Let’s just say I’m really glad she was on our side. I’d hate to have her negotiating against us.”
Ana checked all the boxes of everything they wanted in an agent. “She knew her stuff, but there was just a vibe about her that made her easy to deal with. I felt comfortable with her, she was fully engaged, and didn’t just want to speak to the “man of the house,” Tiffany added. “Which I’m not,” Dean quipped with a laugh.
Most of all, Ana listened and respected what Dean and Tiffany wanted. She’d make her case, carefully explaining what strategies and pricing to implement and why. Ultimately, though, she left all of the major decisions up to the homeowners.
“She didn’t ask us to lower the price or invest in anything we didn’t want to. We were lucky enough to be in a position that we didn’t need to sell if the price wasn’t right. Ana left it up to us, and she was so patient. No matter how many buyers she met with, she always advocated for us.”
From Zero to Market Ready in No Time
A common theme when listening to Ana’s clients is that everything that needs to happen, happens in what seems like the blink of an eye. Tiffany and Dean’s experience was no different.
They approached the transaction with the right mindset. “None of the designs Ana recommended were anything we would choose. But the moment we decided it was time to list, we realized that it’s not our house anymore.”
Painting It All the Right Shade of White
“We didn’t question anything and just went with Ana’s suggestions. Which were basically to paint everything a very specific shade of white. We had a mirror that was espresso-coloured. Ana painted it white.”
“We had a nice chandelier in the spare bedroom that was a little dated, but we didn’t want to replace it. So she painted it white.”
“The bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living room – all painted white. Again, it wasn’t our style, but it definitely made the house show better. Every room just seemed lighter and brighter. Ana really knows what she’s talking about!” Tiffany explained.
Do you want to know more about how Ana and Sara work when helping you sell your home? The posts below will fill in the details:
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Next Came the Staging
With the house updated and painted, it was time for staging. It was a large property and a lot of work, but Ana got straight to it and transformed the whole house inside and out.
Anyone who has ever thought about selling a house in Toronto may have heard of Ana’s design skills. Her staging is so good that buyers often want not just the house, but everything in it.
“Our house sold in two days. We couldn’t believe it. It was a different market from what we’re seeing today, but still! We even held out and got the price we wanted,” Dean reported.
Total Guidance for Tiffany and Dean’s Next Steps
With their house sold in record time and at a fantastic price they were thrilled with, Tiffany and Dean’s next step was the purchase of a new property. And we do mean brand new, built right from scratch.
“Ana helped us with that, too. We were so nervous. There’s a misconception that negotiation isn’t a thing when buying new construction. It just isn’t true. Ana went to bat for us and thought of details we never would have dreamed of, like asking for extra-high ceilings and tall doors.”
“Once again, she was incredibly patient with us. We turned down one home after another because we just couldn’t find one that felt right. Eventually, Tiffany and I decided to buy a new build and design it to match exactly what we wanted.
“Ana was with us through it all. She also took things into account on our behalf, like making it look like a higher-end property. If we ever have to sell this house, we will have an edge in the market, that’s for sure,” Dean continued.
What Really Stands Out About This Experience
Tiffany and Dean dealt with Ana on both sides of their move, the sale of their existing home and the purchase of their new property. If there’s one thing that stands out about the entire experience, it’s the level of care and service Ana and her team provided at every turn.
“I never expected to find a real estate agent who was so accessible. Ana was always there with very clear instructions for every step. If we had questions, she was available. I guess I have no way of knowing for sure, but I definitely feel as though Ana treated us the exact same way she would have if we were selling a $10 million home,” Dean said.
“Now, when people come to visit, they always comment on our house, that if they were to move to the neighbourhood, this is the place they would want. In a development of about 40 homes, ours is definitely the one of the nicest!”
Dean continued, “If you want to sell fast and get the money you want, Ana is for you. I even recommended her to a good friend of mine who lived on the same street. He is a tough nut as a client, and he couldn’t have been happier.”
Tiffany added, “Let her come in, tell you what needs to be done, and just do it. Trust her process, and she will get you the most money. And it’s not even just about the money. She made the entire process so smooth and stress-free.”
“All in all, it was just a really great experience. We’ve actually invited her to visit us in our new home in Prince Edward County that we love. Ana didn’t just get a client for life after helping us. She has been permanently elevated to friend status!”
Don’t leave anything to chance when it comes to selling your home in this changing market. Our Toronto luxury real estate agents are here to make the most of your transaction. Reach out to ana@asantos.ca or call us at 416.575.7317 to learn more
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See how our dynamic duo leads a smart strategy to help you sell your Toronto home for top dollar.
