TINA'S TAKE
"If you're thinking about selling this fall, don't wait until the leaves are falling to start thinking about it. A little planning now can save you a whole lot of scrambling later."
Summer Isn't Over… But Fall Is Coming
We're getting to that point in Edmonton where summer is still hanging on, but the evenings are getting shorter and we're starting to notice the first signs that fall is coming.
And if you've been thinking:
"Maybe we'll sell this fall."
Now is the time to start talking about it.
Not necessarily listing it.
Planning it.
There's a big difference.
Please Don't Wait Until You Want to List to Start Getting Ready
One of the things I see all the time is homeowners deciding they're going to sell and then realizing there are about 47 things they'd like to do first.
Declutter.
Paint.
Fix the fence.
Clean the garage.
Deal with that basement room you've been calling "storage" for the last five years.
And suddenly you're trying to get everything done in two weeks.
That's when things get stressful.
Instead, let's take a look at your home now and figure out what actually matters.
Because you probably don't need to do everything.
Walk Through Your Home Like a Buyer
This is harder than it sounds.
You've lived in your home long enough that you don't see the things you see every day.
The loose door handle?
Invisible.
The scuffed wall?
You've stopped noticing it.
The closet that's so full you have to negotiate with it before opening the door?
Totally normal.
Except buyers don't have your history with the house.
They're seeing it for the first time.
That's why I like walking through a home with my sellers before we decide what needs to be done.
Sometimes there's a list.
Sometimes there's barely anything.
And sometimes the biggest recommendation is:
Please don't spend $30,000 fixing things that don't need to be fixed.
And Then There's Pricing
This is where I want to be very honest.
I know homeowners want to get the most money possible for their home.
Of course you do.
It's your biggest asset.
But there's a difference between wanting the highest price and pricing your home where buyers will actually pay attention.
You can always price high and hope.
But if the price is too high, buyers may never walk through the door.
And once you've been sitting on the market for a while, the conversation can become:
"Why isn't it selling?"
I'd much rather have the pricing conversation before we list than after we've spent weeks wondering where everyone went.
Your Neighbour Is Probably Going to Have an Opinion
Let's just get this out of the way.
Your neighbour probably knows exactly what your home is worth.
Your cousin probably has a number too.
And someone in your neighbourhood Facebook group will definitely have an opinion.
I love people.
But opinions aren't a pricing strategy.
Your home needs to be evaluated based on the property itself, its condition, improvements, location, competition, and the current market context.
That's where professional research matters.
And sometimes the answer is higher than you expected.
Sometimes it's lower.
My job isn't to give you the number that makes you happiest.
My job is to help you understand the number that gives your home the best chance of actually selling.
Should You Renovate Before Selling?
Please talk to me before you start.
I'm serious.
I've had homeowners tell me they're planning to renovate a kitchen, replace flooring, repaint the entire house, and redo a bathroom.
Before they've even talked to me.
Let's stop for a minute.
Maybe those things need to be done.
Maybe they don't.
Maybe there's a better way to spend that money.
And please...
Let's not paint the living room orange because you've decided you're ready for a "bold new look."
We're selling the house.
We're not filming a design show.
What I Would Do First
If you're considering selling this fall, I'd start with five things:
Look at your home's current value.
Understand what you're competing against.
Walk through the home with a buyer's eye.
Decide which improvements are actually worth doing.
Build a timeline before you put the house on the market.
That's it.
You don't need to panic.
You don't need to renovate everything.
And you definitely don't need to make a decision because someone told you, "You better list right now!"
Let's look at the actual situation first.
What About Edmonton, Surrounding Communities and Country Homes?
The same basic principle applies whether you're selling in Edmonton, a surrounding community, or a country property.
But the details can be very different.
A city home, a newer suburban property, and an acreage don't attract buyers for exactly the same reasons.
Country properties can bring additional considerations like land, outbuildings, wells, septic systems, access, and overall property maintenance.
That's why I don't believe in putting every home through the same cookie-cutter selling process.
Your property deserves its own strategy.
If You're Thinking About Selling This Fall, Let's Talk Now
You don't have to be ready to list.
You don't even have to know if you're going to sell.
That's okay.
Maybe you're thinking about moving next spring.
Maybe you're considering an acreage.
Maybe you're trying to figure out whether your current home still works for you.
Or maybe you're just curious what your options look like.
That's a conversation worth having before you make a decision.
ONE LAST THING...
This is exactly why we created Buy in Edmonton: What You Really Need to Know.
Our webinar series is for homeowners and buyers who want straight answers before making a major real estate decision.
We talk about things like:
What your home may actually be worth
Buying and selling at the same time
Preparing your home for sale
Timing your move
Edmonton and surrounding communities
Country and acreage properties
The questions you should be asking before you make a move
You don't have to have everything figured out before you join us.
That's the whole point.
Come learn.
Come ask questions.
And if you're thinking about selling this fall, start the conversation now.
Because I'd much rather help you make a smart plan than watch you spend the last weekend of summer frantically painting your house orange.