In a perfect world, there would always be an abundance of time and resources to thoroughly prepare your home before putting it on the market. Meticulous presentation is one of the key elements to selling at top dollar, and we want to do everything in our power to make sure your listing stands out.

In the real world, we don’t always have the luxury of time or money to get a house ready for the market. A fast sale is sometimes required to accommodate a change in your life. Whatever your goals may be, the trick is always to do the best we can within the limitations. Fortunately, there are a few ways to fast-track your way to a successful sale in Hamilton.

Start With the Market

Hamilton real estate is one of the most dynamic and fast-moving markets in Southern Ontario. The ever-changing demographic can work for or against you when listing your home. Conditions can change depending on factors outside of anyone’s control.

To say that we are in a seller’s, buyer’s, or balanced market at any given point is a bit of a simplification. That’s why it always pays to dive in deep to get a better understanding of what’s happening, not just in the market overall, but right in your neighbourhood.

Some areas are more desirable and houses will sell more readily. One way to increase your chances is to know all of the amenities and highlights of the neighbourhood that appeal most to potential buyers. For example:

• Is your house within the catchment area of a highly sought after school? This automatically adds value to your listing, particularly with the number of families moving to the area.
• Are there any beautiful parks or trails nearby? Hamilton is well-known and loved for its proximity to waterfalls. Be sure to let buyers know if there’s one right around the corner.
• How close are you to the major transit routes or highways? This will be a plus for anyone who commutes outside of Hamilton to work each day.

Any of the above features work in your favour. Showcasing them to potential buyers can help you sell your house even during slower markets where the demand is lower overall. 

Looking for more tips to get the maximum results with the least amount of effort when selling your home? The posts below will help:

• What Season Should You Sell Your Home In Hamilton Or Burlington?
• Should I Buy First Or Sell First?
• Do Staged Homes Sell Faster In Hamilton-Burlington?

Partner With a Local Real Estate Agent

These days, it may seem as though buyers and sellers do everything online. This is true to a large extent, but mostly in the beginning stages. Potential buyers love to do their initial search from the comfort of their home, narrowing their choices to a few favourite contenders. 

However, real estate is and will always be a people business. Your online listing captures a buyer’s interest, but a human connection is still necessary to bring the transaction to a close.

A skilled real estate agent will not just promote your property and handle all of the negotiations, but we will often come with a network of interested buyers to begin with. 

There is no better way to sell your house quickly, without hassle, and for as much money as possible than by working with an experienced professional. Someone who knows how to navigate a softer market as well as when conditions are favourable is essential when you are counting on results.

Make Strategic Decisions

Most houses, even relatively new ones, will benefit from some strategic upgrades and renovations before putting them on the market. If you have the time, you might consider remodelling the kitchen and bathroom or installing new floors. When you can’t afford to wait, your options become more limited.

• You can hire experienced contractors to do the work for you. This option will be faster than handling everything yourself, but it will still take time. It will also be more expensive due to the cost of labour and materials. However, the investment will typically pay off in terms of more and higher offers.
• You can roll up your sleeves and focus on improvements you can make quickly. There are many minor upgrades that could still result in a substantial return on investment. 

Alternatively, your home improvements could fall somewhere in the middle. Your real estate agent will guide you on where to invest your resources to get the best possible results in the least amount of time. 

Last Minute Home Preparation Checklist

Preparing your home in minimal time will take some effort, but the payoff will be well worthwhile. Recruiting some friends and family members to help will make the job easier and more pleasant. 

However, for the best results, your real estate agent can recommend professional contractors and tradespeople to perform high-quality work on short notice. In the meantime, here is a checklist to help you fast track your preparation.

• Spend a weekend decluttering your home from top to bottom. Dispose of all broken or unused items and store seldom-used belongings. Pack away any personal photos, trophies, or souvenirs. The less clutter you have, the more spacious your home will appear. 
• Once your house is free of clutter, perform a deep clean of each room, including the walls, ceilings, baseboards, mirrors, and all countertops and dressers. 
• Spruce up the exterior of your home to create a welcoming appearance. Mow the lawn, pull the weeds, and dispose of all garbage and debris. The outside must be pristine because it’s what the buyer sees as soon as they pull into the driveway.
• If you have time, add a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls and make any minor repairs such as replacing old fixtures.

Want to learn more about Hamilton real estate? Get to know a few of our neighbourhoods in the posts below:

• What Hood Is Good? Let’s Talk About Kirkendall
• What Hood Is Good? Let’s Talk About Westdale
• Top 5 Hamilton Neighbourhoods For Families

Determine the Best Price Point

Setting a strategic price is critical when you need to move quickly. Any house will sell in a hurry if the price is low enough. This creates a delicate balancing act since you never want to devalue your property but you also can’t afford to languish on the market. 

A sales associate on our team will work with you based on your goals to set a compelling price that meets two criteria in the current market:

1. Low enough to generate as much exposure as possible
2. Yet high enough that you earn fair market value for your home 

A thorough Comparative Market Analysis will factor in the square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, any recent updates, and all other attributes of your home. Even more importantly, we will study how your house compares with others that have sold recently in your area and for how much. 

A fast sale may require compromise and a little more work on your part. However, with expert guidance and a well-thought-out strategy, you can still enjoy a successful transaction without sacrificing the results. 

Are you planning on selling your home in Hamilton or Ancaster? Our Hamilton real estate agents can help you create a winning plan. Reach out today to hello@theoreillygroup.ca or call 905-512-5323 to take the next step.

We're On Your Side

Whether you’re selling or buying the O’Reilly Group is dedicated to elevating your real estate experience.

Book a Meeting