By Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty
Good. Let's do this.
The moment you go from "thinking about selling" to "okay I'm actually doing this" can feel like a lot. What do you need to clean? What paperwork is involved? How fast can we get a sign on the lawn?
Here is the honest answer. It is simpler than you think. And it starts with a conversation, not a stack of forms.
Here is exactly what happens from the moment you say you're ready.
Step 1: The Walkthrough
We start with a casual walk through your home. No pressure, no pitch. Just you, me, and an honest look at the property.
I am not there to tell you everything is perfect. I am there to tell you what is worth doing before we list and what is not worth touching. The goal is to get you the best result without spending money you do not need to spend.
If your home needs any work before the cameras arrive, I have a trusted local contractor network I can connect you with for fast, reliable advice. Small fixes done right make a real difference in how buyers respond.
This is where we figure out the plan before anything gets signed.
Step 2: The Numbers Conversation
Before you sign anything, you need to see the math.
We sit down and look at real, recent sales data for your specific neighbourhood. Whether you are in Galt, Hespeler, Preston, Brantford, or Kitchener, I pull the actual closed sales so we are pricing based on what buyers are actually paying right now, not what someone hopes to get.
We talk through:
A pricing strategy based on what is actually happening in your market right now.
My transparent commission structure so you know exactly where every dollar goes.
A net sheet so you know precisely what you walk away with after lawyer fees, commission, and any adjustments. No surprises at the lawyer's office.
You do not sign anything until the numbers make sense to you.
Step 3: Getting Camera Ready
Once the strategy is locked in, we get your home ready for the photographer.
I walk through with you to talk about simple presentation tweaks. Furniture arrangement, decluttering, what to put away, what to leave out. Small stuff that makes a real difference in how the home photographs and how buyers feel when they walk through the door.
If you have pets, this is the time to start thinking about a plan. We will talk about where they go during the shoot and during showings. Once that sign goes up your home needs to be available and show-ready, and that means pets out of the house for every showing. No exceptions. Buyers need to be able to walk through comfortably and not every buyer is an animal lover. A dog barking from behind a door or a litter box in the corner is a distraction you do not need. We sort this out early so it is not a scramble later.
If you want a professional cleaning team in before the shoot, we can arrange that. If you prefer to handle the prep yourself, that works too. Either way, I want your home looking its absolute best before the camera comes out.
Then the photographer comes in. Real photos. Not phone pictures.
Step 4: Going Live
This is where things get moving.
Your home hits MLS and every active buyer's agent in Ontario can see it and book showings. Once that sign is on the lawn, you are selling. That means keeping the home show-ready on short notice, pets arranged and out of the house for every showing, and being ready to move when an offer comes.
At the same time my digital marketing kicks in.
Your listing goes out to nearly 400 local newsletter subscribers. It gets promoted on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook Marketplace. It gets featured inside my neighbourhood guides that are already ranking on Google in front of buyers actively researching your area.
Your home does not just sit on MLS waiting to be found. It gets pushed in front of the right people from day one.
Step 5: Showings, Offers, and Getting You to the Finish Line
Once the listing is live I handle the showing coordination, the feedback, and the offer negotiations. You stay informed at every step without being buried in details you do not need.
When an offer comes in we go through it together. I tell you what it means, what your options are, and what I would do in your position. Then you make the call. That is how it works.
You Do Not Need to Have Everything Perfect Before We Talk
You do not need your house spotless. You do not need your boxes packed. You do not even need a firm timeline yet.
The earlier we have the first conversation, the more options you have. Some of the best results I have seen came from sellers who started the conversation three or four months before they were ready to list. We got the prep done right, priced it well, and hit the market at exactly the right moment.
If you are even just starting to think about it, that is enough to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a home listed after the first call?
It depends on how much prep the home needs. In some cases we can be live on MLS within a week. In others it makes sense to take a few weeks to get the presentation right. We figure that out together at the walkthrough.
Do I need to do renovations before listing?
Usually no. Most sellers spend more than they need to trying to get a home ready. I will tell you honestly what is worth doing and what is not. The answer is almost always less than you think.
What if I am not ready to list for a few months?
That is fine. Starting the conversation early is actually an advantage. We can get the plan in place so when you are ready everything moves quickly.
What does it cost to list with you?
My standard rate is 4% plus HST total. 2% to my brokerage and 2% to the buyer's agent. Full breakdown at simonsayzsold.ca/selling-your-home-the-plan-and-the-price.
What markets do you work in?
My core markets are Brantford, Cambridge, and Kitchener-Waterloo. I also work in surrounding areas including Guelph, Paris, Woodstock, and Hamilton through the RE/MAX network.
Do I need to arrange somewhere for my pets during showings?
Yes. Every showing means pets out of the house. We talk through a plan for this early so it is not a last minute scramble every time a showing gets booked. It is one of those things that is easy to sort out in advance and a real headache if you do not.
What if we meet and it is not a good fit?
I will tell you. Not every listing is the right fit and I would rather be upfront about that than waste your time or mine.
Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty
226-218-6875 | simonsayzsold.ca
Book a Free Strategy Call | Free Home Evaluation
This blog post reflects the personal opinions and professional experience of Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. RE/MAX Icon Realty Brokerage, 33-620 Davenport Rd, Waterloo ON N2V 2C2
Check out this article next
