For Sellers

Chris elevates the selling experience for his clients, ensuring he covers all the bases: storage solutions, packing help, cleaning (before listing or prior to closing), staging, expert media and more, including a sold in 30 day guarantee!

Along with his five flexible commission packages, Chris and his team of partner professionals provide access to a larger circle of influence and a larger network to get your home sold. Chris knows it’s not always about the monetary value when selling your home, which is why every detail is thought out from start to finish.  

COMPLeMENTARY HOME STAGING & CONSULTATION*

The results are in! According to the National Association of Realtors staged homes statistically sell faster and for more money. Check out these statistics: 

Almost a third (27%) of buyers are more willingly to overlook property faults ‘when the home is stagedand 40% of buyers are more willing to walk through staged homes they saw online” National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging Report.

As part of his full-service packages, Chris offers complimentary home staging to all his clients; from consultation to extensive refurnishing, his home staging professionals will enable potential buyers to envision living in your home.

*Conditions apply, speak with one of our licensed professionals today.

Concierge Services

With Chris’ tailored concierge package, we guarantee to increase your home’s market value by evaluating, recommending and even fronting the cost of minor upgrades, or repairs.

Our concierge package will lessen the time your home is on the market, and increase the purchase price.

When you choose this package, we will work with our trusted and local resources to provide you with an optimal plan to prepare your home to sell. Whether it’s a minor repair or cosmetic care, let Chris Concierge take care of it.

We will cover the cost, with no payment until the sale of your home is finalized. No Interest and no hidden fees.

Concierge services may include:

  • Deep Cleaning
  • Staging
  • Painting
  • New Flooring
  • Kitchen Reno
  • Pest control
  • Decluttering
  • Junk removal
  • Cosmetic renovations
  • Roof repair
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Landscaping
  • Window Replacement
  • Door replacement

FAQs

What is a Listing Agreement?

A Listing agreement is a document signed by the Sellers and the Realtor on behalf of his/her brokerage stated that the house is for Sale for “x” amount of dollars, with a start and an end date. This document also states the % of commission the seller is willing to pay to the Listing Brokerage ( this is who represent the seller) and the co-operating brokerage (this is who represents the buyer).

Should I sell my house first or buy my new house first?

This answer can change based on what kind of market we are in. We suggest once you think you may be ready for a move to contact us at The Costabile Group and receive a Free Personal home consultation. Once you know what kind of budget you have to work with we can set you up on the Private Client services we offer. This will give you a change to see what is currently available on the market. If you do find and decide to purchase your new home first. With more Buyers than Sellers right now, some simple things like an extended closing date can give you peace of mind even if your house has not been put on the market yet.

What should I do to prepare to sell?

Once you have decided to list your property with the Costabile group, it is a good idea to start de-cluttering your home. We want to create a space that appeals to any of the potential Buyers. From curb appeal to a fresh coat of paint, cleaned out cupboards and closets can go a long way to get top dollar for your home. Check out our section on Home Staging.

Now that my house is listed, what should I do to prepare for showings?

Once your house has hit the MLS system you need to have your home prepared for showings daily. It is best to have beds made and sink cleaned up of dishes before you leave for the day. Buyers want to get into your house as quickly as possible. It is important to be flexible with scheduling the showings but also it is perfectly acceptable if there is time that does not work for you and family ie: young children bedtimes etc. we can reschedule the viewings to cater to your needs.

First Time buyers

At The Costabile Group we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of each and every client. We especially enjoy working with those that have decided for the first time to buy a home. We have compiled a short list of some steps you should be taking in purchasing your first home!

We suggest that the first thing you should do is go the bank/mortgage broker and see if you qualify for a mortgage. If you really do not know where to start, ask one of our team members today for our recommended list of mortgage specialists. It amazes us everyday how much little details about your mortgage matters.

Once approved it’s a good time to hire a professional realtor and start the house hunting. Try interviewing one of Our Team members today. Your financial institute will be able to give you the amount you are able to spend on your home. As tempting as it may be, we will focus on homes that meet your budget and criteria. Remember this is your first home, but doesn’t need to be your last. Perhaps a good 5 year plan for your starter home is a good idea? Or maybe you have different goals, such as renting out an in-law suite in the basement?

Getting into the housing market in a good neighbourhood is a positive experience. This helps solidify your investment knowing if you ever had to resale your home, it should be easy! You can change the paint colour or plant a garden, but it is hard and expensive to add square footage or move your home into a better neighbourhood, we really could not stress the value of location enough.

Another point is how important it is to look at the total cost of the home from property taxes, utilities and day to day living cost – this is basically affordability. No one wants to be house poor so working together with one of our team members we will find a home meets your style and your budget.

What is A BRA?

You’ve been pre-approved, saved up your down-payment and decided to purchase a home, great! You’ve chosen an agent (hopefully The Costabile Group) and a Buyer Representation Agreement needs to be signed.

Wait, what? What is a Buyer Representation Agreement?

What does Multiple offers mean?

Right now there are more Buyers than Sellers, which means it is possible to have more than one Buyer put an offer on your house. We are here to help you sift through the offers to help you decide which offer is right for you. Purchase Price, closing date and conditions are just some of the things to consider before selecting the one you will accept. Check out our Bidding Wars page

Perks Program
At The Costabile Group we treat our clients like family from the very beginning, and that feeling doesn’t end after the purchase or sale of your home. We offer numerous services free of charge to our clients:

  • Complimentary Home staging consultation
  • Complimentary Pre-list cleaning service
  • Complimentary videography and Drone service
  • Complimentary HDR photography
  • Professional Post and Sign installation with 24/7 care
  • Professionally designed feature sheets
  • 24/7 Communication and follow up
  • Guaranteed over 10,000 online viewings of the home in the first week!

If you have a unique home that requires some “Out of the Box” marketing, speak to us today on what we can offer you!
There are also advantages in buying with The Costabile Group such as priority access online for listings right when they hit the market. We have numerous professionals that we recommend to ensure your buying process is easy-peasy without stress. We pride ourselves in taking care of all the steps along the way.
Lastly, once your a Costabile Group Client and you have bought or sold your home with us, it does not stop there. We do numerous client appreciation events throughout the year, whether you bought with us this year, last year or 10 years ago you are invited!
Speak with us today about how you can be the next Costabile Group Client.

Getting home ready for market

Once you have decided to list your home with The Costabile Group, it is very important to prepare your home for the market. We’ve put together a few helpful hints to get you started!

Declutter your home

Take a look around your home. You probably have numerous things lying around that you have no intention of moving with you, so take some time to declutter the property. From old magazines to jammed packed storage rooms, we encourage you to take a moment to sort through your belongings and get rid of things that take away from each rooms potential. Investing in a storage locker can assist you in decluttering the more bulky items that you are bringing with you to your new home.

Curb appeal

The first impression of your home is made when potential buyers pull up to the curb. To leave them with a great impression, keep lawns clean and cut and flower gardens growing. Have a green pool? Yikes. Make sure the general maintenance of your pool continues throughout the selling process, don’t just stop because your house will be sold. It’s important to stay on-top of snow removal if you are selling in the winter months, so that people can access your house easily, and safely.

Fresh coat of paint

Consider what a fresh coat of paint can do. Got a bright green kitchen or a bright pink bathroom? Sure those colours may be perfect for you, but remember what a potential buyer could see, picking a neutral colour that will appeal to most buyers. This is proven to do wonders.

Single Representation: As a client, we have a responsibility to follow your instructions, protect your confidential information and promote and protect your best interests. To make the most of this relationship, it’s important to identify your needs and expectations in advance. Discuss what services you are looking for and determine whether our team is the right match for you. To avoid misunderstandings later on, don’t make any assumptions and be sure to list all details in writing. Remember our team has your best interests top of mind.

Multiple Representation: What if your looking at your new dream home that our team has listed – is this ok? The answer is yes, this is called multiple representation. As a team, we absolutely can keep both buyers & sellers best interests at heart. However, our team cannot provide opinions on motivations for each party involved or what you should offer/accept; we can offer you comparable properties, facts, figures and information that will help you make the best decision possible.
If you have any questions about the different types of client/customer relationships please don’t hesitate to ask one of our team members!

Furnace and home maintenance

Regular maintenance of your systems such as furnace, air conditioners, hot water tank and water softener could help seal the deal with a potential buyer. Buyers look at all of these small things, and these things really do add up on the list of “things to do”. Try to keep up on regular maintenance, like replacing/cleaning your furnace filter, so that you can reduce the to-do list for potential buyers.

Clean windows

Opening up those curtains and letting in the natural light will allow buyers to see the room in a new light, so it’s important that those windows are clean. Washing your windows (inside and out) makes a huge difference!

Whether or not you choose to sign a BRA before looking for your dream home, The Costabile Group will always work in your best interest. Contact one of our agents today to see what we can do for you.

Put away personal items

We’re not just talking about family photos or heirlooms. Buyers do not need to see personal information like tax returns or your mail. Keeping things out of sight will ensure that your personal items are secure. Out of sight and out of mind!

Eliminate pet odours

We could not stress this enough. Whether it’s allergies or perhaps the buyer is not a pet lover. You don’t want your furry friend being the reason you can’t sell your home.

Benefits of Home staging

There are three main advantages of having your home staged.

  1. Sell your home for top dollar
  2. A staged home show better than “non staged homes” it is a proven fact.
  3. De-personalizing your home makes it easier for buyers to envision themselves living there.

Once you have made the decision to have your home staged it is important to keep your property ready to show each day to prospective buyers. A sink full of dirty dishes or unmade beds can be a turn off to buyers. We want to get you the most money for your home and even though it may seem like an impossible task to keep the “look and feel” of your home up during the weeks or days that your home is listed. In the long run, the investment of your time will pay off.

A clean and organized home is a “tool in your tool box” that can amount to money in your pocket.

In the Costabile Group “tool box” we have a home stager, Shawna Sherk. Visit her Facebook Page to get tips on starting the process of staging your home.

Remember, As a Costabile Group Client – You get a free home staging consultation on us!

Creating a Bidding war

seller’s (or sellers’) marketing an economic situation in which goods or shares are scarce and sellers can keep prices high.

bidding war noun a situation in which two or more parties repeatedly outbid each other as they compete to purchase something.

Achieving the Bidding War

More buyers in the market means sellers have greater control over price and may see multiple offers come in, if they play their cards right. You may have heard the term “bidding war” used before, but is it the best option for the sale of your home? Let’s dive in and see.

Location! Location! Location!

A key contributor to achieving a bidding war is location. A “sought-after” neighbourhood within a city, easy access to highways, properties located on courts or cul-de-sacs, these are all types of “locations” that increase your chances of a bidding war; homes located near industrial areas or on busy streets are less likely to achieve this type of sale.
Whether you live in an area that’s “in demand” or not, there are ways to create that buyer frenzy. From pricing to open houses, here are five strategies to spark that bidding war.

Price to sell

Overpricing your home may deter potential buyers and cause your house to languish on the market. Analyzing homes that have recently sold in your area and pricing your home slightly lower than market-value or your desired sale price can generate a lot of buyer interest. The end result; driven demand, multiple offers and that bidding war you are striving for.

Agent Open-house

The more agents that know your house is on the market, the more potential offers you can draw in thus beginning the war. Hosting an agent open-house is OUR job as we know the local players and how to lure them in.

Create a Website

Did you know over 83% of buyers search online now? Internet and social networks can be leveraged to create a buzz about your house, making a bidding war more likely. Creating a website for your home lets you post pictures of the house and gives you the ability to share the link on several popular social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and anywhere else potential buyers may be looking. The Costabile Group’s website is top notch and advertised everywhere, including the aforementioned social networks. With our targeted marketing, we strive to have the most online traffic to benefit you, the client.

Buyer Open-house

When a house gets multiple offers, they typically arrive shortly after the house is put on the market. A way to maximize exposure is to have an open house for potential buyers shortly after the home is listed. If you have an open-house that is full of potential buyers, there’s a chance for a bidding war because buyers don’t feel as though they are missing out.

Staging the Home

Your home is more likely to garner interest and be the subject of a bidding war if it is staged: free of clutter, scrubbed of pictures and personal items, and with neutral decor. It’s got to look like an ad from the home and garden magazine, buyers fall in love with your home on how it looks. The biggest mistake a homeowner can make is not getting rid of the clutter. Equally important is making sure the house has curb appeal because some buyers won’t even get out of the car when scouting prospective homes. You want to make sure your home is as inviting as possible.

You may opt to use some, all or none of the above strategies and still achieve a bidding war or vice versa. However, if you’re worried that you won’t achieve that bidding war, or don’t feel this is the best approach for the sale of your home, no problem. A bidding war is just one of the tactics The Costabile Group uses to get top dollar for your property. Contact one of our agents today for your free Personal Home Consultation and see what we can do for you.

Let's Get Started

+1 (519) 865-9517
chris.costabile@theagencyre.com

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