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Home Selling Tips

Proven strategies to sell your home faster and for top dollar in the GTA.

Follow these 10 proven steps to sell your home with confidence and maximum return:

1. Decide to sell — Confirm your reasons and timeline for selling.
2. Choose a REALTOR® — Partner with Sharmilla for expert guidance.
3. Price your home — Use a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).
4. Prepare your home — Declutter, deep clean, and make repairs.
5. Stage it — Arrange furniture to showcase space and flow.
6. Professional photography — High-quality images drive online interest.
7. List on MLS — Maximum exposure to qualified buyers.
8. Showings & open houses — Be flexible and keep the home show-ready.
9. Review offers — Evaluate price, conditions, and closing date.
10. Close the deal — Work with your lawyer to finalize.

Before signing a listing agreement, interview your agent with these key questions:

How long have you been selling homes in this area?
How many homes have you sold in the past 12 months?
What is your average list-to-sale price ratio?
How will you market my home beyond MLS?
Will you provide professional photography and virtual tours?
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
What is your commission structure?
Do you have a team, or will you handle everything personally?
Can you provide references from recent sellers?
What sets you apart from other agents in this market?

Ask Sharmilla these questions →

Selling Without an Agent (FSBO)

No commission to pay on the listing side
You handle all showings, paperwork, and negotiations
Limited MLS exposure (restricted without a REALTOR®)
Risk of underpricing or legal/paperwork mistakes
Buyers' agents may avoid FSBO listings

Selling With a REALTOR®

Full MLS access — reach 95%+ of active buyers
Professional pricing based on market data
Expert negotiation protects your bottom line
Legal paperwork handled correctly
Studies show REALTOR®-sold homes sell for more on average

Homes sold with a REALTOR® typically net more money even after commission.

Use this checklist to get your home show-ready and maximize buyer appeal:

Exterior

Mow lawn, trim hedges, weed gardens
Power wash driveway, walkways, and siding
Paint or touch up the front door
Replace worn-out hardware and light fixtures
Clean windows inside and out

Interior

Declutter every room — less is more
Deep clean kitchen and all bathrooms
Patch holes, repaint in neutral tones
Replace burned-out bulbs, brighten all rooms
Steam clean carpets and polish hardwood floors
Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, loose handles

Before Every Showing

Make all beds and tidy countertops
Remove pets and personal items
Open blinds, turn on lights
Add fresh flowers or a light neutral scent

Once your home is ready, Sharmilla will create a comprehensive marketing plan to get maximum exposure.

MLS Listing

Your home will be listed on the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) MLS® — the most powerful tool for reaching qualified buyers and buyer's agents across the GTA.

Digital Marketing

Featured on REALTOR.ca, Zillow, and major real estate portals
Social media campaigns (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
Email blasts to an active buyer database
Professional virtual tour and video walkthrough

Traditional Marketing

For Sale sign with contact information
Open houses (private and public)
Feature sheets and printed brochures
Neighbourhood canvassing

Pricing Strategy

Sharmilla will conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to price your home competitively — generating interest, showings, and strong offers.

As your listing agent, Sharmilla will:

Conduct a thorough market analysis to determine the right price
Advise on pre-listing preparation and staging
Arrange professional photography and marketing materials
List your home on MLS and all major platforms
Host open houses and private showings
Provide regular feedback and market updates
Present and explain all offers received
Negotiate on your behalf to maximize your sale price
Coordinate with the buyer's lawyer and your lawyer for smooth closing
Be available to answer questions throughout the entire process

Sharmilla is bound by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and RECO regulations, ensuring your interests always come first.

When an offer comes in, here's what to expect as a seller in Ontario:

Reviewing the Offer

Sharmilla will present every offer with a full breakdown of price, conditions, deposit, and closing date. You have three options: accept, reject, or counter-offer.

Conditions to Watch For

Financing condition — Buyer needs mortgage approval.
Home inspection — Buyer may negotiate repairs or credits.
Sale of property — Buyer needs to sell their own home first.

Firm vs. Conditional Offers

A firm offer has no conditions — it's the safest for sellers. A conditional offer requires conditions to be satisfied before it becomes binding.

Deposit

Typically 5% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer within 24 hours. Held in trust until closing. If the buyer backs out without cause, you may keep the deposit.

Closing Day

Your lawyer handles the title transfer. You receive the sale proceeds minus mortgage payout, legal fees, and real estate commission.