I read an online comment from someone who had a bit of a “grudge” against Real Estate brokers. His comment was, “All they do is put the home on MLS, and it sells itself.”

I thought I would do a timeline on a home we recently sold to share some of the tasks involved in getting to a sold sign. 

• We received a referral from an agent we know in Belleville. She had sold a home to a client who needed to sell in Whitby. We had a call with the Seller and discussed why an agent from a different company would refer a client to us here at Keller Williams. We discussed how we refer our clients to the best agents in their location independent of their Brand. 
• We met with the Seller and created a strategy to attract a Buyer from Toronto or Mississauga by doing targeted online ads. We reviewed the most recent sales in the neighbourhood, focusing on a townhome that had sold a month prior. This comparable property was the same as our model and had been completely upgraded. We agreed that our asking price should be $60,000 less to reflect market value. However, complicating our pricing process was the fact that there was an “outlier,” a townhome that was sold conditionally on the next street, overpriced at  $90,000 lower than our asking price. This was the same model as our property; however, it was in very poor condition, and we knew Agents would attempt to use this low sale as market value.  
• We had our stager in, and she worked with the Seller, making the home show ready.
• Our photographer took still pictures and did a 3D virtual tour. 
• Once the tour was received, I started the marketing campaign in Toronto and Mississauga and covered the local area.
• 4 open houses were booked for the first 2 weekends with about 25 attendees.
• The home sold conditional ($90,000 less than our price) for $150,000 under their already reduced asking price. 
• One of the open house attendees returned to the home with their Agent and toured the property two times. 
• Discussing the home with the Buyer Agent, he aggressively attempted to use the low sale as market value.
• After a flurry of calls, the Agent submitted a conditional offer at $65,000 under the asking price. We negotiated back and forth with the buyer, increasing their price 3 times until we reached an accepted agreement under the asking price.
• The home inspection was booked, and during the inspection, it was determined that there was a raccoon living in the attic.
• We worked to have a pest control contractor start removing the “bandit.”
• I helped the buyer’s agent draft the paperwork to protect the buyer and seller by removing the raccoon.
• A sold sign was installed. 
  
  One of the interesting parts of my career is that every transaction comes with its challenges, and in many cases, the challenge centres around the inexperience of the Agent you end up working with. In this situation, the Agent had sold only one home in 2024, and his approach was to be somewhat combative in the negotiation process. My goal was to keep all parties calm and to get to a result where both parties (Buyer and Seller) were happy with the outcome. This meant correcting some contractual errors so the Buyer and their Agent were legally covered on what had been agreed to.
  Not all transactions happen such as this one, in fact one we just completed today was finalized within a day with everything happening smoothly and all parties happy. 

Back to the person who had the idea that all a Real Estate Broker does is hang a sign and the home sells itself, most homes need the experience and guidance of a full-time Real Estate professional to get from the first call to a sold sign and a smiling Seller or Buyer.

If you are in need of a full time Real Estate Broker with 40 years of experience, I can be reached at lindsay@buyselllove.ca or 905-743-5555.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.