Selling

Selling a home

Strong years for the housing market

The housing market has experienced strong growth since 2002. This situation can be explained by five major reasons:

• Interest rates are at an all-time low and thus translate into easier access to a property;
• Consumers show stronger confidence in the economy, which increased by 14% since 2000;
• Thanks to the 353,000 jobs that have been created since 2000, Quebec is now experiencing prosperity, which is favourable to home-buying;
• Low rental unit vacancy rate in Greater Montreal means that more tenants consider becoming homeowners, especially since interest rates are low and incentive programs, such as the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP), come in handy;
• The “Generation Shuffle”: On one hand, baby boomers are retiring and selling the family residence in order to buy a property which better meets their needs. On the other hand, the 25 to 35 year old generation is actively looking for a property. As a result, there is an increasing number of transactions.

Selling first: at what price?

If you choose to sell before buying, make sure you have a good idea of the amount of money you will have to buy a new property. Your real estate agent will be able to help you determine this amount by doing a comparative market analysis and by determining a fair sale price.

When D-Day comes...

To avoid being homeless, make sure you mark down the buyers’ move in date in order to determine the best possible time to take possession of your new home. If you can’t make these dates work, consider temporary housing.

Renovating and decorating, it pays

Several buyers want to settle down without the hassle of major renovations. That is why it’s important to make your house attractive. Create more space by removing anything that is cumbersome, free up the windows so light can come in, give a fresh coat of paint to outdated walls and carefully select your ornaments. Consult your real estate agent to get a profile of the buyers in your area.

The S.I.A.®/MLS® system: a powerful tool

When signing an exclusive brokerage contract with an agent or broker who is a member of the Greater Montréal Real Estate Board, make sure you initial the “Yes” box in the section entitled “Multiple Listing Service®”. Your home will then be seen by 8,500 agents or brokers. With so many pairs of

The S.I.A.®/MLS® system: a powerful tool

When signing an exclusive brokerage contract with an agent or broker who is a member of the Greater Montréal Real Estate Board, make sure you initial the “Yes” box in the section entitled “Multiple Listing Service®”. Your home will then be seen by 8,500 agents or brokers. With so many pairs of eyes looking for a buyer, you are bound to succeed!