Relocating to Toronto? Relocating in Toronto? Wherever you're moving, if you have a property to sell, read on.

1. FAILURE TO EFFECTIVELY MARKET THE PROPERTY
Good marketing distinguishes your home from hundreds of others on the market. Let your Realtor outline his/her Marketing Plan.

2. BASING THE SELLING PRICE ON NEEDS OR EMOTIONS
Many Sellers base their pricing on what is termed 'Subjective Value'. For example, how much a Seller paid for their home or how much they love their home or how much money they need to purchase their next home, is considered Subjective Value. Objective Value is the true value of a property.
Setting the asking price of a property should always be based on Objective Value. 'Objective Value' is the Market Value. Objective Value looks at the condition of the property, it’s location, what properties with similar features in the same area are selling for, what other properties in the same area are listed for, and THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE ECONOMY AND THE REAL ESTATE MARKET. If your home is not priced competitively, homebuyers will prefer to consider larger or better homes within the same price range as yours, thus increasing your property's number of 'days on market'. When your price is later lowered, Buyers become wary because they suspect other reasons why the house has remained unsold for so long.

3. FAILING TO PRESENT A HOME AT IT'S BEST
A property that is not clean or well maintained often suggests hidden defects that imply future increased cost of ownership. Sellers should make necessary repairs and spruce up the house inside and out, keep it clean and neat and most importantly...UNCLUTTERED!

4. OVER-IMPROVING A HOME BEFORE SELLING
It is a good idea to get your Realtor to do a 'market assessment' of what your home is worth BEFORE improvements. The next step would be to get a written estimate for improvement costs and then have your real estate professional give you an update on how much more your home will sell for AFTER the improvements are made. This will allow you to decide whether it makes sense to upgrade your home before putting it on the market, or to just put it on the market the way it is.
Sellers sometimes spend thousands of dollars doing the wrong upgrades to their home prior to selling, expecting to recoup this cost. If you are thinking of selling, ask your Realtor which upgrades are most cost effective. Typically the most important and saleable areas of any home are the kitchen and bathrooms.

5. CHOOSING THE WRONG REALTOR FOR THE WRONG REASONS
Many homeowners list with the Agent who tells them the highest price. Sellers should always choose the Sales Agent who they feel will provide them with the best service and with whom they feel comfortable; a Realtor with experience, good negotiating skills and a strong network. More experience could mean a higher price for a Seller at the negotiating table and/or selling in less time and with less hassles along the way.

6. FAILING TO TAKE A 'FIRST OFFER' SERIOUSLY
Many Sellers believe that the first offer they receive will be only one of many to come and they hold out for a higher price. Oftentimes the first offer ends up being the best offer! Many Sellers have ended up, much later on in the selling process, having to accept far less money than the initial offer. The first 2 weeks of the listing term is critical. It is at this time that your home will usually get MOST of its action. Do NOT let how quickly an offer comes in determine your decision to accept it or not.

7. USING A 'HARD SELL' DURING SHOWINGS
Buying a home is an emotional decision and Buyers are looking to see if a house is comfortable for them. Good Realtors© let the Buyers discover a home's features on their own, pointing out only those features they are sure are important to the Buyers. Overselling your home during showings makes Buyers think you are desperate for a sale. Sellers are best off trying to be out during showing times.

8. NOT KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
The contract you sign to sell your property is a complex and legally binding document. Read the contract through carefully and have your Realtor© fully explain it in terms you understand.