Everyone appreciates dealing with someone considerate.  Just a little thought for the comfort and convenience of the party at the other end of a transaction goes a long way!

This is true whether a person is ordering coffee at a drive-through, driving on the highway in traffic…or buying a house.

What can buyers and sellers do to encourage a smooth, pleasant experience for everyone from beginning to end?

Sellers:  Prepare Your Home for Viewing

Getting a house ready for market is a big job!  Whether you are doing a full reno and cosmetic refresh, or just decluttering to sell it as-is, the work can be heavy and time consuming.

To offer the best experience to potential buyers, who are often under intense stress themselves, there are a few things you can do.

1. Declutter and depersonalize.

This will help a buyer to see themselves living in the space.  It can be hard for strangers to see past family pictures and very personal mementoes that make them feel like a guest in someone’s home.  Take time to make each room as neutral as possible.  Keep paint colours soft, decor items to a minimum, and leave plenty of room for walking pathways and elbow room.

2. Do a deep cleaning and eliminate odours.

Not everyone wants or needs a fully updated house, but every buyer appreciates cleanliness.  When a property is clean and neat, even someone who plans to gut and renovate a home will stay longer and enjoy their viewing more.  Nothing makes a buyer turn and leave faster than strong smells from cooking, smoke, pets, or filth.

3. Be mindful of exterior seasonal maintenance.

The traditional “spring market” is a bit of a throwback; properties are bought and sold in every season, year-round, these days.  It’s a good idea to give a thought to safety around the exterior of the house.  Keep walkways and stairs shoveled and salted in winter.  Provide mats for the front entrance so that there is a place to remove wet boots and prevent slippery floors.  In spring and summer, keep grass mowed and shrubbery trimmed, especially if it overgrows into the pathway leading to the front door.

4. Consider boarding pets.  

Many buyers don’t mind a small animal wandering around the house or in a cage or crate while they’re at a showing.  However, some folks are allergic to pets and some are deathly afraid.  Even quiet cats that do little more than lie around in one spot can stress out a fearful buyer and prevent them from spending enough time in a home to truly imagine living there.  If you have the option to temporarily relocate your pets during the time your house is for sale, it is worth considering. (Your fur-babies might prefer not to have a parade of strangers in their space, too!)

5. Collect as much accurate information as you can.  

Buyers appreciate knowing as much as possible about a property.  This is especially true in a market where they are expected to put in a firm offer without so much as a home inspection to protect their interests.  Be crystal-clear about what is included in the sale and what is not.  Some sellers have a pre-inspection done and offer the written report to interested buyers in the interest of transparency and to promote trust.  (We love this idea!)  Some other common questions buyers have are:

• What is the age of the house, roof, furnace, AC, hot water tank, windows, and other components, including any renovations?
• How much are taxes, utilities, and condo fees?
• What is included in condo fees?
• Are there any special assessments or extra levies to taxes or fees coming up or currently being charged?
• Is the property subject to easements or encroachments?
• Are there any plans for major development in the area? Road widenings, new construction, etc.
• Are there any hidden or structural problems:  basement or roof leaks, mould, knob and tube wiring, Kitec plumbing, vermiculite/asbestos, etc.
• Do all the appliances work well, or are they being included “as-is”?

Buyers:  Be a Welcome Visitor

A seller’s market can be intimidating, frustrating, and discouraging for a buyer on a budget.  This can be especially true for first-time buyers who tend to be on the receiving end of advice at every turn from well-meaning relatives and friends.

The goal, of course, is to find a home that suits both your needs and your budget.  One step on the road to reaching that goal is to create a respectful relationship with the seller.  Here are a few things a buyer can do to accomplish that:

1. Get your finances in order (ie, get pre-approved for a mortgage) before viewing properties.

This has always been an important thing to do, but it is now more crucial than ever. In this era of COVID-19, it’s vital to respect health guidelines.  Be sure you are qualified and ready to buy before attending properties of interest in person.  This will help to minimize everyone’s exposure and to protect both buyers and sellers.  If you’re not quite ready yet, view properties online using the different media provided, and use this time to educate yourself about the market.

2. Take measures to ensure that you screen properly before every showing.

Agents must sign COVID screening forms before each showing.  If your health changes, or if you start feeling unwell before you attend a showing, please cancel immediately.

3. Be punctual.

Since only one showing is allowed at a time now, appointments are being booked in 15-30 minute increments.  This is different from the days before the pandemic when a typical appointment was within a 60-minute window.  It is essential that each buyer be there on time and leave when their scheduled appointment is over to allow the next showing through.

4. Be sure not to have children or other non-buyers at your showing.

In the past, house hunting with children of all ages was normal, and parents accompanied their grown children on showings to give them advice.  We can’t do that right now while we all try to stay safe.  Arrange child care for young ones, and leave teenagers at home while you attend showings.  If this isn’t possible, take turns going inside with your agent.  Share pictures, video, and 3D tours with family and friends to show them what the house looks like.

5. While at a property,

Don’t touch light switches or surfaces unnecessarily, don’t use washrooms, and stay only as long as is necessary inside the house.  These instructions have become standard since March 2020, and Sellers truly appreciate it when you do your best to be respectful of their home.

6. If you decide to make an offer,

Be sure to ask your questions before putting it on paper.  Gather as much information as you need to make an offer you will be happy with.  If you aren’t sure what’s included, find out instead of making assumptions that could lead to disappointment.  This will lead to a satisfying deal for you and reduce stress on both sides!

Everyone is working hard to navigate this hated “new-normal,” and sometimes it’s tough to figure out how to balance the needs of everyone involved.  We highly recommend that you take advantage of the expertise of an experienced realtor to help you work through the process, whether you are on the buying or the selling side.  Having a professional there to guide you toward a successful sale can be one of the most important stress-busters!