Selling a home in Vancouver goes more smoothly when you know what’s coming. This guide covers how we take your property from our first conversation to completion day, and what we’ll need from you along the way.
Seller’s guide
A step-by-step first time seller’s guide.
Step 1
Start with the right team.
Selling a home involves more decisions than most people expect. As your listing agents, we start by learning what you want from the sale, whether that’s the strongest possible price, a firm timeline, or a move that lines up with your next purchase.
From there, we build a to-do list with you and work through it before your home goes on the market.
Step 2
Determine the price.
We put together a list of comparable sold properties and adjust for features, condition and current market conditions to find your home’s market value. From that, we set the list price most likely to achieve the best selling price.
Pricing right at launch matters. A home that starts too high tends to sit, and one priced too low leaves money on the table.
Step 3
Prepare your home.
Buyers pay for what they can see, so preparation is where much of your final sale price is won. We walk through your home and write a detailed list of what to remove, what to add, what needs a repair or refresh, and how to stage each room.
Our assisted staging pairs expert staging companies with West Haven Group’s own warehouse of curated accessories.
Step 4
Photos, floor plan and video.
Every listing gets professional photography, a custom floor plan and a custom property video as part of our marketing package.
Photos catch a buyer’s attention online. A floor plan helps them picture how they’d live in the space. Agency-quality video draws thousands of views across social platforms and keeps your home in front of the right people.
Step 5
Market beyond the MLS®.
Listing on the MLS® is only the start. We run professionally managed ad campaigns on Instagram and Facebook, share your listing across our website, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn, and place it in local and international publications where it fits.
For our most prestigious properties, our Autograph designation adds a fully custom marketing package with multiple video assets that shows off the details and views that set the home apart.
Step 6
Review offers.
When offers come in, we go through every term with you: price, deposit, subjects, and the completion and possession dates. Most BC offers are subject to financing, an inspection and a review of documents such as the Property Disclosure Statement and strata records.
You can accept, reject or counter any offer. Each counter cancels the previous offer and carries its own expiry, and we negotiate on your behalf until the terms work for you.
Step 7
Subject removal.
Once you accept an offer, the buyer typically has 7 to 10 days to complete their due diligence. We coordinate access for inspectors and appraisers and handle questions from the buyer’s side.
When the buyer removes their subjects and pays the deposit, the sale is firm.
Step 8
Completion and possession.
Our conveyancing team sends your lawyer or notary everything they need. Before completion, you’ll meet with them to sign the transfer documents. You don’t need to meet the buyer.
On completion day, the buyer’s funds are transferred, your mortgage is paid out, and your lawyer or notary sends you the proceeds after closing costs. On possession day, the keys go to the new owners. Book your movers early, and if you live in a strata building, reserve your move-out time with the property manager.
The next chapter
Congratulations!
Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.