Finding the right real estate agent is being halfway there. The best way to find a good one is to ask for references from family and friends. In this section, find out which qualities to look for in a good agent who will help you find your perfect home.

In order to provide you with an exceptional service, a good real estate agent must have several essential qualities such as:

• Establishing a trustworthy relationship with you.
• Demonstrating integrity, loyalty and respect.
• Respecting the privacy of negotiations.
• Being honest and listening to your needs.
• Helping you establish your needs and your search criteria.
• Sharing his/her knowledge and experience with you.
• Having a flexible schedule to accommodate you.
• Having good knowledge of the real estate market and being able to establish the fair value of your property.
• Being able to represent you well during negotiations.

A good agent can also give you recommendations and advice to make selling your home easier. He/she will accompany you throughout the transaction and keep you informed of any development so you can have peace of mind.

Make sure your home is well maintained

• Fix water leaks
• Check if touch-up paint is needed inside and out
• Oil squeaky doors and adjust doorknobs
• Make sure all your windows are working well
• Repair or replace gaskets around sinks and tub
• Make minor repairs
• Clean the air filter and the heating system
• Replace burnt out light bulbs
• Make sure the doorbell is working
• Clean out the garage

Make space

• Clear rooms, passageways, and stairs
• Store excess furniture
• Remove clutter in cabinets and closets

Do home staging

• Did you know that a potential buyer often has a good or bad impression of your home the minute he/she sets his/her foot in it? Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
• Actually, many potential buyers are willing to pay more for a well-maintained, well-decorated home. Thus, by home staging, you increase the chances of making your home stand out from the rest and the buyer falling in love with it.
• Home staging aims to enhance the appearance of your home by depersonalizing the rooms of the property so that potential buyers can easily visualize themselves there with their furnishings. To do this, remove clutter and rearrange furniture as needed, and depersonalize the house. You can also refresh the walls by painting them in neutral colors.
• It’s important to make these changes as soon as you put it on the market so that the photos reflect your home. This way, you will attract potential buyers as soon as your property is activated on the web.

Create a cozy atmosphere

• Do not stay at home during visits
• Turn on all the lights
• Make sure to adjust the temperature of the house according to the season
• Open the curtains
• Light the fireplace
• Whenever possible, don’t leave your pets home during visits

Do the housework

• Clean the bathroom and remove your belongings from the countertops
• Wash the floors
• Put away children’s and pet’s toys
• Tidy up kitchen counters
• Empty the trash
• Wash windows and windowsills
• Put away shoes and clothes in the entrance
• Make sure animal litter is clean and does not smell

Take care of the outdoor appearance depending on the season

• Mow the lawn
• Trim the hedges as needed
• Weed your flower beds
• Pick up litter
• Clean the entrance (leaves)
• Clear snow from the entrance, balcony, and steps

There are a few important costs to consider when selling a home. Here is a summary: