Listing Roadmap: Step 1 Consultation & Listing Agreement
What to Expect When Listing Your Home With Us
Selling your home is a big decision — and our goal is to make the process smooth, strategic, and successful. It all starts with a thoughtful consultation designed to set the stage for a great outcome.
👋 Meet & Walkthrough
We begin by meeting with you at the property — not just to see the space, but to truly understand what makes it your home. As we walk through together, we’ll take note of key features that could attract buyers: original hardwood floors, a recently renovated kitchen, a finished basement, or even that sunny corner perfect for a reading nook.
We’ll also ask about any upgrades, repairs, or additions you've made over the years — things like a new roof, updated HVAC, or a refreshed bathroom can add significant value and appeal. No detail is too small; we want to tell your home’s full story.
But just as important as the house itself are your goals. This is your time to share what matters most to you:
Are you looking for a quick sale or aiming for top dollar?
Are you buying another home at the same time?
Do you have a specific moving date or flexibility?
Are there pets, tenants, or other factors we should plan for?
📊 Market Analysis: Pricing with Precision
Once we’ve had a chance to see your home in person and understand your goals, we move on to preparing a comprehensive market analysis (CMA). This isn’t just a quick glance at what your neighbour’s house sold for — it’s a deep dive into recent data to help us price your home strategically.
We carefully examine similar homes (often called comparables or comps) that have sold in your area within the past few months. We consider:
Size – square footage, lot dimensions, and overall layout
Condition – level of updates, maintenance, and presentation
Location – neighbourhood, school zone, proximity to amenities
Features – things like a finished basement, garage, pool, or view
From there, we identify how your home stacks up in the current market — not just in terms of value, but in terms of buyer expectations. We’ll also factor in active listings (your competition) and expired listings (what didn’t sell and why).
This CMA allows us to recommend a pricing strategy that’s both competitive and realistic — one that positions your home to attract serious buyers while maximizing your return.
💬 And of course, we’ll walk you through the numbers in plain language so you feel informed and confident in the final pricing decision.
💰 Price & Timeline: Strategic and Personalized
Once we’ve reviewed the market data and outlined your personalized marketing strategy, we’ll sit down with you to finalize two of the most important pieces of the puzzle: your listing price and your launch timeline.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all pricing. Instead, we use the insights from our comprehensive market analysis — along with current buyer demand, comparable sales, and local trends — to guide our recommendation. Then we talk it through with you to ensure it aligns with your priorities. Whether you're aiming for maximum exposure, a quick sale, or the highest possible return, we’ll tailor the price strategy accordingly.
At the same time, we’ll map out your timeline to launch, working backwards from your ideal list date to schedule key steps like staging, photography, and promotional prep. We'll also factor in market timing — like long weekends, school schedules, or seasonality — to help your home debut at the most strategic moment.
📆 By the end of this step, you’ll know exactly what to expect and when — with a clear, customized game plan designed to get you the best results.
✍️ The Listing Agreement: Making It Official
Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll walk you through the listing agreement — the formal document that gives us the authority to represent you and market your property for sale. But this is more than just one piece of paper. There are a few key documents involved, and we’ll take the time to explain each one so you feel fully informed and confident.
Here’s what you can expect to review and sign:
The RECO Information Guide – A required resource from the Real Estate Council of Ontario, this guide helps you understand the different types of representation, your rights and responsibilities as a seller, and what to expect when working with a licensed realtor. We’ll walk you through the highlights and answer any questions.
The Seller’s Direction (if applicable) – This optional form outlines how we are to handle offers on your home, including whether to hold offers or present them as they come. We’ll discuss your goals and advise on the right approach for your property and market.
The Listing Agreement – This is the core contract between you and our brokerage. It includes:
The listing price
Start and end dates of the agreement
Our commission structure
What services we’re providing
Your rights and responsibilities as a seller
The MLS Data Sheet – This form gathers all the essential information about your property — number of bedrooms, square footage, lot size, features, updates, utility details, and more. It ensures your listing on the MLS is complete, accurate, and appealing to buyers and agents alike.
📄 Don’t worry — we’ll guide you through each document step by step. We’ll explain everything in plain language so you feel informed, comfortable, and confident.
⏭️ What Happens Next?
Once the paperwork is signed and the plan is in place, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get your home ready for market. In the next part of our series, we’ll cover everything that happens in the lead-up to launch day — from staging and photography to gathering the final details that make your listing shine.
📦 Let’s get your home prepped to impress — stay tuned for Step 2: Countdown to Listing Day.
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