Is it better to buy a new home or sell your existing home first? Both options have their advantages and their risks. By carefully examining the pros and cons, and by providing alternatives in case of setbacks, you will be able to make an informed decision.

Selling First

By selling your current home before buying a new one, you’ll know the exact amount you’ll be receiving from the sale. You’ll therefore have a very good idea of how much money is available to buy your new home.

You might start feeling an urgent need to find a new home right away. But keep in mind that you’ll already have all the information needed to make your promise to purchase. For example, you’ll know when the buyers of your current home are moving in, and can therefore easily establish when you’ll need to take possession of your new home. If ever the dates don’t coincide, you can always plan for temporary accommodation.

Buying First

When you buy first, you’ll know your new address, the exact price of your new home, the date on which you’ll become owner and the transaction date. You’ll be able to consider these things when you receive a promise to purchase for your current home.

You can also make a promise to purchase that is conditional on the sale of your home. In this case, the owner of the property you’re interested in might receive another offer without any conditions. In order to give yours priority, the owner will ask you to withdraw your condition. You will therefore have to decide whether you’d rather buy that property before selling your existing home, or withdraw your offer.

One way or another, it’s a good idea to plan a temporary source of financing in case your current home isn’t sold when you sign the purchase contract for your new home.

The Exterior

The exterior appearance of your home is extremely important. An inviting exterior will attract buyers and encourage them to visit the inside of your home. Your lawn should be well maintained and, during the winter months, keep some photos of your lawn handy so that visitors can see what it looks like during the summer. Cleanliness is essential, so a cleared entrance and clean windows will also make a big difference.

The Interior

Inside, neatness is key. Clean your home from top to bottom and get rid of all unnecessary items. Remove any old furniture that is obstructing the hallways or cluttering up the rooms. Clear out any open spaces so that visitors don’t feel cramped.

Does the home need a fresh coat of paint? Newly painted properties often sell for more. Remember that dark colours can be detrimental to a sale. Instead, choose brighter, more appealing neutral tones. Your carpet’s appearance can also be a determining factor. If you can’t replace your carpeting, having it cleaned will help give the rooms a refreshing new look.

The kitchen and bathroom must be immaculate. Take the time to clean all appliances and faucets, as well as the bathtub, toilet and sink. Unclutter the counters and don’t leave any dirty dishes in the sink or towels around the tub. Give buyers a chance to visualize all storage possibilities.

Throughout your home, fix leaky taps, defective door handles, as well as drawers and cupboard doors that don’t close properly. Replace burnt light bulbs and yellowed switch plates. Most of these minor repairs are relatively inexpensive and will help visitors form a positive opinion of your home.

Creating Ambiance

Your home must be well lit. During the day, keep the curtains open and turn lamps on in the evening. If necessary, add lamps in dark corners. Make sure your home is well-ventilated so that visitors aren’t turned off by strong odours such as incense or spicy foods.

It’s important to be discrete when potential buyers are visiting. Leave your broker alone with the client. It will be easier for the broker to highlight your home’s strong points and the visitor will be able to voice comments and impressions freely.

A real estate transaction is a complicated and detailed process that requires solid knowledge of the real estate market and a skillful talent for negotiation. Why not use a real estate broker to take care of all the details for you?

When selling your home, your real estate broker will conduct a thorough analysis of the market in your neighbourhood, and will determine an accurate selling price. And by using the power of the Centris^® system, your broker will give the home exceptional visibility to the more than 15,000 brokers who are members of a real estate board.

Think about it. To sell your home, you must be available seven days a week to conduct showings. Your real estate broker can take care of everything: responding to requests for information, managing telephone calls and showings, marketing your property to potential buyers, etc.

Once a promise to purchase has been submitted, it’s time for negotiations. In all real estate transactions, it’s fundamental that you have an experienced negotiator on your side and real estate brokers are truly experts in the field! They can help guide you through financing, qualifying buyers, sale conditions, building inspections, and all other legal aspects.

Brokers can also be intermediaries in your dealings with the many people involved in the sale of your property. Their large networks of contacts range from building inspectors to notaries, and from financial institutions to mortgage brokers. Brokers are a one-stop shop for all these services, and their involvement guarantees you the legal protection offered by the Real Estate Brokerage Act.