Sellers

• Plant flowers, weed and edge gardens
• Mow lawn and trim hedges and shrubs
• Clean driveway and sidewalks of dirt, leaves or snow
• Water the lawn extensively, well in advance of selling
• Remove old lawn ornaments, toys and play sets
• Clean and repair rain gutters and siding
• Touch up exterior paint
• Clean out garage
• Pick up any litter

• Make mirrors glitter and appliances sparkle
• Wash and polish all floors
• Clean and freshen bathrooms
• Clean/shampoo all carpets
• Clean all windows, walls, doors and trim

• Clear all countertops
• De-clutter all heavy traffic areas
• Store surplus furniture to reduce feeling crowded
• Put seasonal clothing into storage
• Clear halls and stairs of clutter
• Make all closets neat & tidy
  (and only half-full, even if this means moving items to another storage area)

• Touch up interior paint and paper
• Repair cracked plaster
• Tighten door knobs and cupboard latches
• Oil any squeaky doors
• Repair leaky plumbing (taps, shower heads and toilets)
• Repair seals/caulking around bathtub and sinks
• Replace burnt-out light bulbs/install brighter bulbs
• Clean furnace and humidifier
• Repair any other minor flaws

• Turn on all lights
• Open all drapes in daytime
• Play quiet background music
• Turn on air-conditioning or light fireplace
• Keep pets outside during showings (or, better yet, at a friend's)
• Have as few people in the house as possible. If you can, be absent during any showings as potential buyers often feel awkward and rush through if they think they are inconveniencing the owner.

• You know exactly how much money you have from the sale of your first home and can comfortably choose your next home's price range and negotiate accordingly.
• With cash in hand you can immediately make firm offers on any property that meets your needs. If a property pops up that is perfect or extremely well priced you can be the first in the door with an offer.
• You have more negotiating power. When Sellers turn down or counter an offer that is conditional upon the sale of a home, they usually believe that the Buyer will come back with a more serious offer if and when the Buyers' home has finally sold. Sellers give much more consideration to unconditional offers since they usually realize the Buyer does have other options and may move on and pursue a different property if their final offer is rejected.
• If more than one property interests you, you can shop around, negotiate, and finally settle on the best deal.

• If the right home is not currently on the market when you finally sell, and nothing comes up before your closing date, you may have to find alternative accommodation until something appropriate comes along.

• Do you have reasonable options available if your closing dates do not line up and you cannot move into your new home the same day you move out of your current home?
• How would you and your family react to the stress of having to rent for an unknown period of time?

• If you are only interested in moving if a very specific property comes up, buying first ensures you do not miss out on the perfect opportunity.
• If a unique or underpriced property comes on the market and you do not think it will last long, snapping up the deal ensures someone else does not buy it out from under you.

• If your current home does not sell quickly enough you may end up having to finance both homes and carry the extra debt until you do sell.
• You do not know what the final selling price of your current home will be. If your budget is tight, this could affect your financial decisions. While you can get appraisals and market evaluations of your current home's value, nothing is for sure until you actually get an offer.

• How would you react to the stress of owning two homes at once?
• Would you have the financial reserves to do this?
• How would you feel if you were eventually forced to sell your current home at a "fire sale" price?

A third option involves making your offer to purchase conditional upon your being able to sell your current home within a specified time period. Conditional offers usually include a clause that allows the Seller to continue to market his or her property while you try to sell your home. If the Seller receives another bona fide offer, they can accept it and ask you either to remove your condition and firm up or to step aside. While conditional offers do not provide all of the advantages of the first two options, they do offer a reasonable compromise for those uncomfortable with the drawbacks associated with either selling or buying first.

• You do not have to sell your current home until you have found and negotiated an acceptable price on your next home.

• You have less negotiating power. Sellers sometimes turn down or counter an offer that is conditional upon the sale of a home. There is a general impression that Sellers give less consideration to conditional offers than they do to firm ones. Some Sellers feel that the Buyer will come back with a more serious offer if and when their current home has finally sold. You may end up having to pay a bit more for the house in order to get your conditional offer accepted and be first in line.
• Another purchaser may make an offer and bump your offer before you have sold your current home, putting you back at square one.
• You cannot withdraw your conditional offer until the time set out in the condition has passed. This could be frustrating if a better deal comes along and you wish to pursue it.

• Disconnect and settle accounts with utilities, cable and phone services.
• Order utilities to be connected at new home.
• Cancel any pre-authorized bill payments.
• Have your mail forwarded to your new address.
• Stop or forward all home deliveries, newspapers and magazines.
• Start reviewing what is worth taking and what is not. Now is the best time to clear out those closets and start anew.

• Make special arrangements for the moving of pets or plants.
• Prepare a list of all items you want to carry to your new home (such as jewelry and other personal valuables).
• Pick up all personal items at local businesses (dry cleaning, film, storage).
• Service all appliances for the trip.
• All gas appliances must be emptied. It is illegal for movers to carry flammable liquids.
• Verify with your moving company the date, time of arrival and method of payment.
• Take inventory of all items you are moving.
• Get some cash for traveling expenses.
• Service your car thoroughly.
• Let a close friend or family member know your travel route and schedule.

• Investigate how to transfer your children to their new school.
• Send change of address notices to friends, family, and work.
• Collect items you have lent to friends.
• Return everything you have borrowed.

• Obtain or transfer all medical and dental records.
• Fill all prescriptions before leaving.
• Change the address on your driver's license.
• Change all billing addresses for credit cards.
• Order cheques with your new address.
• Change address or transfer banking accounts and safety deposit boxes.
• Leave a record of any security system codes for the new owners.

• Visit your lawyer. Sign all necessary papers.
• Transfer insurance to your new home, or obtain new insurance. Notify your insurance company well in advance of the move and ask to have your policy reviewed.
• Ensure your mover's insurance policies are adequate. If not, obtain your own.
• If you rent, give written notice to your landlord.
• Have all keys to your old home delivered to your REALTOR or Lawyer.

• Looking out for your best interests:
  By asking a REALTOR to act on your behalf during the sale of your home, you create an Agency Relationship and become the REALTOR's client. REALTORS always owe their clients full fiduciary duties, such as loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, accountability, duty of care, and full disclosure of all pertinent facts.
• Getting the best price:
  Professional marketing means top dollar and a faster sale. REALTORS spend a lot of time and energy making sure they know their local market inside and out. They know the current market value of properties in your area and are your best resource for determining and getting the best and highest price possible. All REALTORS have access to all of their agency's resources and marketing skills, ensuring that all potential buyers are quickly made aware of your home.
• Showcase your home in the best possible light:
  As unfair as it might be to your home, after only fifteen seconds most buyers have already developed a perception of your property that will colour their feelings during the rest of the showing and perhaps dramatically affect how they perceive the value of the property. REALTORS can offer a great deal of information and advice on how to significantly increase your chances of obtaining the highest and best price for your home.
• Dealing only with qualified buyers:
  REALTORS have access to pre-screened and pre-qualified buyers who are really serious about buying in your neighbourhood. They work full-time making these connections and are literally the best source of potential purchasers.
• Negotiation expertise:
  REALTORS do many things, but one of their most important functions is to negotiate on behalf of their clients. When you sell your house, you want the best price in a reasonable amount of time. Your REALTOR's job is to facilitate this by drawing up legally binding contracts, assisting in negotiating any offers, offering advice and perspective, and if needed, acting as a mediator during any potential disputes between you and the purchaser.
• Professional experience:
  A REALTOR brings to the table all of his or her knowledge, training and negotiation skills, and will explain exactly what you can expect from the buying/selling process. He or she will be able to explain your rights and obligations, help organize and strategize, and even discuss financing options.All REALTORS are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). This organization requires all of its members to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. The Code and Standards are very important because they assure that all REALTORS offer the highest level of service, honesty and integrity possible. All REALTORS are subject to constant professional monitoring that keeps them directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve. CREA also ensures that all of its members are knowledgeable and highly trained in order to better serve the public and offers ongoing education courses so that REALTORS continue to meet the highest professional standards in an ever-changing industry.
• Access to Multiple Listing Services:
  REALTORS have exclusive access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS system is one of the most effective marketing tools available, giving all REALTORS nation-wide access to your property.