Ottawa Real Estate Myths

Myth #1: The Renaud Otten Team sell a lot of homes. Perhaps they are too busy to pay attention to my home sale.

Truth: The Renaud Otten Team and their listing department have created a Team of professionals to take care of the paper work so they can focus on taking care of you! They are dedicated to overseeing all aspects of your sale, providing you with feedback and keeping you up to date on all aspects of selling your home. Enjoy a personal touch when you choose a member of our Team.

Myth #2: "Discount" brokers can do an adequate job selling real estate.

Truth: When you choose the Renaud Otten Team you receive a complete marketing campaign including photos, brochures, ads, MLS Ottawa inserting fees, guaranteed sale program, printing, direct mail, directional signs, personal internet websites and a host of concierge services including free use of our moving truck.

If you’re still not convinced, some important questions to ask are:

• What will the ‘discount broker’ offer?
• Will the discount broker offer a complete marketing campaign?
• Does the discount broker have a staff to personally attend to your specific needs?
• Does he/she have a proven track record of success, or is he/she using the discounted commission to win your business?
• Does he/she have the expertise to guide you through problems that may develop during the home sale process and offer process?

Myth #3: You should select a Realtor who says they can get you the highest price.

Truth: This is a terrible disservice: tell the seller what they want to hear and compliment the home to get the listing. Anyone can list a home at an inflated price and then wait, and wait, and wait for someone to put in an offer at a realistic price. Instead, insist on a written, well-researched, computerized market analysis to determine the realistic amount your home will bear in today's market and price accordingly. Select your Sales Representative based on their credentials, then decide on price. NEVER SELECT A SALES REPRESENTATIVE BASED SOLELY ON THE PRICE THEY RECOMMEND.

Myth #4: Empty homes don't show as nicely as furnished homes.

Truth: The important consideration is whether or not a home is properly staged, that it is clean, in good repair and available to show. If you must move to your new home before your old home has sold, simply take measures to ensure it shows well empty; repair/replace worn carpeting, oil all woodwork, wash windows and clean walls. In fact, it will probably appear larger without your furnishings and the buyers can envision their belongings in each room more easily.

Myth #5: Property condition is not important to buyers.

Truth: Wrong!! A property in superior condition will sell faster and for more money than a home in average condition with a lower asking price. Many sellers recognize this and repaint and re-carpet their homes in preparation for selling. These sellers know that home buyers purchase value and will perceive a clean, fresh home as more appealing than an average, lived-in, forgive-the-mess home.

Myth #6: Pricing a home for sale is a mysterious process.

Truth: Your home will sell for whatever the market will bear. To determine the range of value, you simply need to see what similar homes are selling for. Because every home is unique, your home will probably sell for a higher or lower range depending on its condition (See Myth #5 above). The Renaud Otten Team researches the Multiple Listing Service database to collect information to help you decide where to put the price. It is not an easy process, but it's not mysterious either.