F.A.Q.
Your Real Estate Queries, Answered
Have questions about buying, selling, or renting properties? Our comprehensive FAQ section provides answers to all your real estate concerns.
There are a lot of steps to prepare your home whether it be for sale or for rental.
(Click here to see the illustration of our 8 Steps of Selling System)
(Click here to see the illustration of our 8 Steps of Buying System)
(Click here to see the illustration of our 8 Steps of Renting-Out System)
(Click here to see the illustration of our 8 Steps of Renting System)
Luckily, you’ve hired The HT Realty Team to coordinate it all for you. Take a look at these frequently asked questions or contact us if there’s something else on your mind.
General
How do I start the process of buying a property?
What should I consider before selling my property?
What documents do I need for a property transaction?
Can I schedule a property tour online?
How do I know the property is priced correctly?
What are the additional costs involved in buying a property?
Additional costs may include taxes, legal fees, inspection charges, and closing costs.
How long does it take to sell a property?
Selling time varies based on market conditions, location, and pricing. On average, it can take a few weeks to a few months.
Do I need a home inspection before purchasing?
Yes, a home inspection is highly recommended to identify potential issues and ensure the property is in good condition.
Can you help with rental properties?
Absolutely! We offer assistance with finding, renting, and managing properties to suit your needs.
How do I contact your team for assistance?
You can reach us via phone, email, or by filling out the contact form on our website.
Cleaning Services
What will be cleaned during my Home Prep cleaning?
We hire professional cleaners to do a “regular clean.”
Will the inside of my appliances be cleaned?
Cleaning the insides of appliances is considered a “Deep Clean” service. The listings team will determine if ordering this service will be beneficial to the home’s presentation.
Will my window tracks and screens be cleaned?
Cleaning window tracks and screens is considered an “Add-On” service. The listings team will determine if ordering this service will be beneficial to the home’s presentation.
Will my baseboards be cleaned?
Baseboard cleaning is considered an “Add-On” service. The listings team will determine if ordering this service will be beneficial to the home’s presentation.
Will my carpets be cleaned?
Carpet cleaning is considered an “Add-On” service. The listings team will determine if ordering this service will be beneficial to the home’s presentation.
What should I do if I’d prefer The HT Realty Team schedule a “Deep Clean” or a particular “Add On”?
We can absolutely arrange for a “Deep Clean” or “Add-On” cleaning services, depending on the timeliness to list your home and/or contractor availability. A requested “Deep Clean” or “Add-On” cleaning service may be subject to additional charges to the homeowner.
How do I know what my home needs to attract the right Buyers?
Our Listings Team are experts in determining what a home needs to not only increase Buyer traffic but net you the most amount of money. We will work together to ensure the right cleaning plan is scheduled for your home.
Listing Visibility
Where will I see my home listed for sale?
The HT Realty Team utilizes third party sites to promote and market listings. This includes internal brokerage servers and external platforms. Our WordPress website is the team’s leading source of prospective buyers, followed by Realtor.ca (sourcing the MLS®).
Will you market my home before it’s on the MLS (Exclusive Period)?
Each home’s timeline to hit the market is different therefore marketing during the exclusive period will vary. Your HT Realty Team Listing Agent will go over the marketing strategy suitable for your personal situation and what the real estate market suggests.
Where else can I find my listing marketed for sale?
We promote listings on our WordPress website, through Royal LePage Integrity’s internal system, Realtor.ca (via the MLS®), and on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, X, Linkedin and ComeFromChina.com.
Will I see my listing on other Realtor’s websites?
It is possible that you will see your home listed on other brokerage’s and Realtor sites. This is because of the Data Distribution Facility (DDF) which is a Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) service available to REALTORs across the country. DDF gives agents access to a national pool of listings and automates much of the listing sharing process.
Staging
Does my home have to be staged?
Staging is much more than the arranging of furniture. It includes depersonalization, decluttering, arranging furniture to optimize photography and encourage Buyers to visualize themselves in the space.
We have also found that homes with staging net higher sale prices than those without. Not all homes need to be staged but we consider it a HT Realty Team best practice.
The before and after section (Click here) illustrates the power of staging.
How long will my home be staged for?
Once your home is staged, it will stay that way until the home is sold firm. In 2020, The HT Realty Team listings’ median total days on market is 8.
What rooms will be staged in an owner occupied home?
Our stager will pay attention to every room and stage each room as needed. Rooms that are prioritized are: living/family room, dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms. A utility room, unfinished basement/laundry room, or mud room may not require staging.
What rooms will be staged in a vacant home?
If you are selling a vacant home for the intended purpose of an investor flipping it (extensive renovations) it may not need to be staged. If the home is in good condition and move-in ready, our staging team will have the living/family room, dining room, kitchen & bathrooms boasting life.
What rooms will be staged in a tenant occupied home?
It’s in the landlord/owner’s best interest not to disturb their tenants as much as possible, especially while the owner is selling the tenant’s home. Therefore, it’s a HT Realty Team best practice not to stage a tenant occupied home. Some exceptions may apply.
What should I do with my furniture/decor since you will be staging?
Our stager will provide you with a detailed list with respect to how to prepare for the day of staging, and guide on where to store your items. Some of your furniture/decor could be utilized in the staging while some signature HT Realty Team pieces will be pulled from our staging inventory.
Photography
What rooms will be photographed?
All rooms will be photographed, however, not all photos will be included in marketing like the MLS/Realtor.ca. Photography of some rooms, such as the utility room, unfinished basement/laundry room, mud room, garage or storage shed (if included in the sale) will be held in our files for information purposes only. With respect to out-of-town buyers and the rise in home purchases without home viewings, we find having these “less” desirable photos handy helps give those particular buyers a total transparent look at the property.
My garage is a big feature of my home. Will it be photographed?
If the garage is organized and/or is a selling feature, our photographer will absolutely take photographs.
How long does it take for photography to be delivered?
Our photographers always strive for overnight turnaround however it may take up to 24-36 hours depending on when photography takes place and the demand.
If I don’t like a photo, can it be excluded from marketing?
You bet. We want you to feel good about your home throughout the listing process. Therefore we run all photographs by the homeowner before any online marketing is uploaded.
I noticed not all the photos of my home are on the MLS/Realtor.ca. Why is this?
MLS only allows up to 30 photos of each listing. We do our best to include the exact right photos that showcase the layout and appeal of your home.