The reality is that in a slow real estate market, buyers have waaaaay less motivation to make an offer today because they know that increased inventory means that asking prices may go down even further tomorrow.

In addition buyers feel absolutely no pressure to make a quick decision because they know there are plenty of homes to choose from. This makes it less likely that a property they’re interested in will disappear too quickly— again making them less likely to take action and make an offer.

As a result, there’s a vicious cycle with home sellers trapped in their non-selling houses for longer and increased pressure from their REALTORS®  to continue lowering their price.

HOWEVER  home staging offers a way to end this costly inconvenience, because staged homes have been proven to sell faster.

When you compare the cost of staging vs. the average price reduction of $5000-$10,000 – home staging is waaaay more cost effective! Plus you are spending money to make money! I always get home sellers to think about their home as their own ‘fix and flip’. Now wouldn’t you normally think about putting money into your ‘flip’ to get it sold? For some reason home sellers have a hard time thinking in this manner. Until now.

Getting an offer is not such an easy thing these days. You really have to work at it. I have seen some houses that have been on the market for several years now (Edmonton region). They have gone through several REALTORS®, discount brokerages, for sale by owner etc. And the crazy thing is the condition of the house is STILL THE SAME and the price keeps dropping and dropping. At what point do you say…hmmm I don’ think anyone LIKES our house. I wonder why? Could it be the crayola box of paint colours throughout? The wallpaper that just never ends? My sparse prison cell decor? Or my floral Golden Girls furniture arrangement? hmmmm…

I have said this before…real estate is NOT rocket science. There is a reason for everything. And a reason for every house NOT selling. It was not priced or prepared properly. Done. Period. Finito.

Home staging puts you in the right direction for a sale. It doesn’t always guarantee you more money – but it does get you to where you need to be …SOLD. It allows you the piece of mind knowing that you have done your very best at putting your best most ‘shiniest’ foot forward when presenting your property to the market.

Happy home selling!

Megan Wagner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

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Frequently Asked Questions - Sellers

Frequently Asked Questions – Sellers

1. Can I cancel my listing at any time? No. The Listing Contract is between you and the Brokerage and is intended to create legal and binding obligations on both parties.

2. After my listing expires, how long do I have to wait until I can sell my house? You can sell at any time but you may still have to pay commission. Please check with your REALTOR® to clarify any ‘holdover’ clause in your listing contract.

3. If I find my own buyer during the listing, do I only pay half the commission? You pay the commission agreed to in your Listing Contract.

4. What is the commission rate? Commission rates are negotiated at the time of the Listing Contract.

5. Do I have to pay GST when I sell my home? Not on private previously-owned primary residential property. All other types, please contact Revenue Canada. Note: there will be GST on any goods and services that you buy/employ in relation to your sale.

6. What is MLS®? The Multiple Listing Service®, a co-operative real estate listing service used by REALTORS® is a  computer based information network combining current market information with historical data. In the Edmonton region, MLS® provides over 3000b REALTORS with up to the minute market information seven days a week, 24hrs a day.

7. If I get an offer I don’t like, do I have to counter it? No. You have the choice of accepting, rejecting or making a counter-offer.

8. What is an RPR? Real Property Report. This is the relatively new name for a survey certificate.

9. Do I have to use a lawyer? While highly recommended, the final decision is yours.

10. If the buyer does not remove his conditions, who gets the deposit? If the buyer has not otherwise breached the contract, the buyer usually gets it all. Check with your REALTOR®  or lawyer regarding the specifics of your contract.

11. If the buyer does not ‘complete’ the transaction after removing conditions, who gets the deposit? If you have not otherwise breached the contract, you usually get it all as liquidated damages. Check with your REALTOR® or lawyer regarding the specifics of your contract. Based on your listing contract, you may be required to split any forfeited deposit with your brokerage.

12. What is the difference between condition day and possession day? Condition day is the day the buyer has to remove the conditions on the property. The house is then sold. Possession day is the day that the keys are handed over to the new owner – and they take possession.

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

 Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing