There’s no shortage of online tips for preparing a house for the market. But what if you’re selling a condo in Ottawa? While a lot of the same advice applies no matter what type of home you’re listing, there are some unique considerations that condo sellers should be aware of. From pricing to home showings we will show you how to get the most money for your condo when selling.
Here Are Our Tips for Selling a Condo in Ottawa in 2018
1) Go on a decluttering binge
In most cases, living in a condo means occupying less square footage than you would in a house. While condo buyers know this, many still subscribe to the “bigger is better” mentality. To create an appealing sense of spaciousness, pare down your belongings.
Clutter is hard to hide in small spaces, so be ruthless when you’re decluttering. This is one of our top tips for selling a condo. Sort belongings you never (or rarely) use into categories: toss, donate, sell, etc. Since the goal is to get rid of as much stuff as possible, don’t let bags and boxes sit around. As soon as they’re packed up, take them where they need to go!
2) Understand condo pricing
Some of our biggest tips for selling a condo have to do with pricing. Your agent should know the local market well enough to help you come up with a condo price that’s fair, yet competitive. But ultimately, how much you ask for is up to you. Knowing the major factors that impact condo pricing can help you make an informed decision.
In addition to square footage, pricing considerations may include (but won’t be limited to) ceiling height, view, and your condo’s location in your building (corner and top-floor units tend to sell for more).
Don’t forget about any renovations you’ve performed, since these improvements could impact your condo’s overall value. Lastly, maintenance fees are a frequently-overlooked factor—remember that higher fees are usually paired with a lower asking price.
3) Focus on condo staging & marketing
Some of the biggest condo staging and marketing challenges have to do with size. During the condo staging process, maximizing your space should be a major focus. You can make rooms look bigger by opting for lighter colours and smarter storage options. You might also want to play with the scale and arrangement of your furniture to create as much open space as possible.
When it comes to marketing a condo successfully, photography is key. Beautiful images will encourage buyers to look at your online listings—and view your condo in person. Unfortunately, photos can also make a relatively small space look tiny. That’s why using the right images is crucial. A professional photographer will know how to create depth using lighting, perspective, and composition.
By providing advice—and, if appropriate, a professional stager referral—your agent can help give you tips for selling a condo quicker and to make your unit stand out from the other condo units in the building.
4) Take care of the logistics
Once you’ve found a buyer, you’ll need to start thinking about the logistics of your upcoming sale. First off, the person buying your condo will almost certainly request documents relevant to their purchase and the condo documents required for sale. They’ll need to know about condo bylaws and maintenance fees, as well as the financial health of your building and its board. This information can be found in your unit’s status certificate, so be prepared for the buyer to make this a condition of sale.
Since condo buildings are shared spaces, you should also carefully coordinate all transitions ahead of time. If relevant, book the elevator for your move. In general, make sure the building’s owner is aware of your moving timeline.
5) Remember condo-specific showing considerations
Showing a condo successfully is similar to showing a house in many ways, but there are differences. First off, if you have a tenant, remember that you’ll have to provide them with notice 24 hours before you bring a prospective buyer into the unit they’re renting. Being friendly and courteous with your tenant can help ensure that showings go smoothly.
Before viewings start, make sure your real estate agent has access to any storage spaces and amenities that will be included in your condo sale. Remember to also hand over any key fobs that provide entry to your building’s amenities.
Selling a condo in Ottawa? We have the expertise to help you through the process. Get in touch and we can discuss your needs!