Thinking about selling?
Sponsored Content - Feb 25, 2023 - Think Local

Photo: Contributed

If you’re like most Canadian homeowners, you’ve been on a roller-coaster ride for the last couple of years.

Prices skyrocketed.

Prices plunged.

The anticipated interest rate hikes that did, in fact, occur have slowed the housing market as well, and that means right now is probably the most opportune time to sell your home for the foreseeable future.

You still have plenty of options in Kelowna when it comes to real estate. If you’re selling your home in the Okanagan, here are seven factors to consider before putting your home on the market:

1. Marketing matters

Deals are few and far between, so that means there are not a lot of marketing dollars available.

Vantage West Realty, however, has scaled its marketing up considerably, because that is what it takes to get homes sold.

Two out of three homes are going unsold, so it’s important that you work with someone who’s not afraid to invest in marketing.

Vantage West is also known for putting its agents through the rigorous Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) program to stay on top of their game.

2. What guarantees or sale assurance are offered?

A quick Google search reveals there are a couple of options to consider if you are looking for some form of risk removal. There is a guarantee being offered by the Collective Real Estate Group. If your home does not sell within 39 days, they will sell it for free.

And you have the widely known Guaranteed Sold Program at Vantage West Realty. Vantage guarantees that your home in Kelowna will sell for at least fair market value in an agreed-upon time frame—or they’ll buy it from you themselves. This has made them a bit of a maverick in Kelowna real estate.

If you’re selling and buying locally, this is a complete game-changer. The sale assurance effectively turns you into a cash buyer, meaning you can confidently shop for your next home with a leg up against non-cash buyers.

For more than a decade, Vantage West Realty founder AJ Hazzi has stood true to a very bold offer for Kelowna home sellers.

3. Speed matters

The average listing is taking approximately 60 days to sell. Market leader Vantage West Realty’s listings are selling 50% faster than the market average at 30 days.

Its 3P Listing Launch includes a robust, pre-MLS marketing push that gets buyers lined up to view properties on opening weekend.

4. Sell first, buy second

Last year at this time, people were afraid to sell their homes because there was a good chance they would not be able to find new house to purchase. The market was that tight.

Now you can sell your home without that concern. You’re in a better negotiating position on both sides. You’re not forced to overpay to get a seller to take your offer subject to the sale of your home, and you’re not forced to take a lower offer because you’re running out of time to get the home you want.

The better negotiating position is to sell first and then go in with a strong, all-cash offer.

5. Is your home at its maximum value?

It’s no secret that updated homes without any deferred maintenance attract the most attention. Could your home use a quick spruce up to get the maximum dollar?

A good real estate agent should be able to consult you on where the lowing hanging fruit renovations are without breaking the bank.

Alternatively, here’s a program to consider: If you need to do any upgrades or renovations before selling your home, you can access up to $30,000 to cover your renovation costs using Vantage West Realty’s Fix & List Program.

Here’s how it works: A Vantage consultant and staging professional works with you to determine the smart fixes and high-return renovations. Vantage will arrange for its preferred licensed contractor to do the work at competitive prices, and loan you up to $30,000 for your renovations and repairs—completely interest-free.

The Fix & List Program gives you a chance to maximize your current home’s value so nothing is left on the table.

6. Make sure you read the reviews online

You wouldn’t try a new restaurant without first reading reviews online, so why would you trust the sale of your largest asset with someone without first reading their reviews? In a time when online reputation can make or break a company, one only has to spend a few minutes reading the hundreds of heart-felt genuine reviews from customers that were glad they enlisted this little-known boutique agency to help them maximize their largest investment.

Dubbing themselves as the “real estate office of the future,” Vantage West Realty now has more than 780 positive Google reviews, glowing testimonials on Rate-My-Agent.com, and has won several Consumer Choice Awards in a row.

7.  The easy exit policy minimizes seller’s risk

If you work with a traditional agency, listing your home can be a stressful proposition.

You’re usually locked into a sales contract for at least three to six months, and if you do cancel—for any reason—most agents won’t let you sell for two months without paying them a hefty commission fee.

Vantage West Realty lets you back out of your contract at any time—no matter what happens. If you don’t feel like it held up its side of the bargain, you can fire Vantage and walk away scot-free.

And if you do walk away, Vantage will help you transfer ownership of their professional photos to your new agent so you don’t miss a beat.

This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Okanagan Edge.


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