We are truly living in incredible times! If you had casually mentioned to a grandparent that you planned to sell your Peterborough home without even stepping foot in the city, as though it were something you could do without hassle, they would have looked at you as though you were about to sprout a third ear or a second head.
However, thanks to modern technology, you can sell a house from anywhere, even while living on the other side of the country. No time off work and or expensive accommodations necessary. In this post, we’ll outline the steps of conducting a successful transaction no matter how far away you live from the home you are selling.
Expert Representation Is Essential
When selling in Peterborough, your first step should be to find a local real estate agent who can be your eyes and ears on the ground. Market trends might be different here than where you are currently living, but your Realtor® will keep you informed at every step in the process.
You won’t be able to engage with potential buyers, home inspectors, or other agents face-to-face. That’s when you need a trusted expert to represent your interests, from the initial planning and negotiating right through to working with your lawyer to close the transaction.
A good real estate agent takes the bulk of the work of selling a home off your shoulders while ensuring you earn the highest possible amount in today’s market, services that are even more essential when selling remotely.
Assessing the Value of Your Home
Selling successfully from afar begins with knowing how much the house is currently worth. To find out, we conduct a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) by measuring all of the attributes of your home compared to others in your area.
We look at the size of the house, the condition, the layout, the age, and many other factors to determine an accurate value in today’s market. Above all, we compare it to other homes that have recently sold and for how much.
Leveraging Your Network
Once you have an idea of how much the house you are selling is worth, the next logical step is to determine what you can do to increase it. Generally, this means cleaning and decluttering thoroughly, making minor repairs and staging it to wow potential buyers.
Without being there in person, you will need to find professionals you trust to take care of all of these tasks. However, if you haven’t lived in the city for some time, you may not have this network to draw from.
This is where you should be able to rely on your real estate agent to vet and manage all contractors, cleaners, and tradespeople for you. For every phone call you make, your Realtor® will make dozens. They will supervise the project until the end result is something that offers mass appeal to the highest number of potential buyers.
Looking for even more selling advice? You may also love the related reading below:
- Why Should You Stage Before Selling Your Home in Peterborough?
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- Selling a House in Peterborough From A to Z
Understanding the Online Tools Available
The first thing you will need when selling a Peterborough home remotely is a reliable tool that allows you to stay in contact with your real estate agent and other professionals. Though much of your communication can be through email, phone calls, or even text messages, there will be times when you want to be visual.
For example, you’ll want to know what the house looks like before any repairs are completed. Then, you’ll want to see the final result before the listing hits the market. Fortunately, there are numerous tools available, and many of them are free to use.
Your real estate agent can take you on a visual tour of the home anytime through Zoom, Facetime, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or Skype. Seeing the progress happen in real time is the next best thing to being there in person.
Other tools you will need access to may include 3D digital tours of your home, such as Matterport or IGuide. You will also need online software that allows you to sign all real estate documents and contracts digitally.
After your house sells, the buyer will likely request a final walkthrough before the closing date. With a high-quality visual conferencing tool, you can be right there with them to answer all of their questions and ensure your sale finalizes without a hitch.
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Checklist for Selling Your Peterborough Home Remotely
Selling a home can be complex at any time since there are so many details to focus on all at once. When selling remotely, there can be the risk of “out of sight, out of mind,” making it easy to forget a critical step that could help you maximize your results. The following checklist will help you stay on track from beginning to close.
- Find a reputable real estate agent who understands the area and has been through the process of selling remotely before.
- Begin with a walk through to analyze the current condition of the home. A pre-listing inspection could also help you identify any areas of improvement that add to your bottom line.
- Install a lockbox so that your real estate agent can bring buyers through the home, and any contractor, inspector, or professional cleaner has access.
- Compile a list of any online tools you will use throughout the transaction and keep any necessary websites and contact information handy.
- Work with your real estate agent to manage any home improvements to be completed before your home goes on the market.
- Arrange for professional photos and videos that show the home in its best light.
- If the house is vacant, consider virtual staging to help buyers envision themselves living there.
- Create a plan for reviewing incoming offers with your Peterborough real estate agent. Knowing your minimum price and what concessions you are willing to make in advance will help them negotiate on your behalf.
- Nearby amenities and attractions can make your home even more appealing. Make a list of your favourite shops, parks, and restaurants that buyers may also love.
Whether you’re present in Peterborough or far away, we are happy to help you streamline your sale. Reach out today to team@jeffandkatie.ca or call 705-243-9797 with any questions you may have.
