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A Complete Guide to Selling Your First Home in Toronto

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Selling the first home you’ve ever owned can mean many things to different people. For some, moving up to a larger house is an exciting milestone in the journey of their lives. For others, it can be hard to let go. It’s easy to form an emotional attachment to your home, especially when it’s your first. A big step towards a successful sale is often simply mentally preparing yourself for the task ahead.

It will help if you look forward instead of back to see how much you have to be excited about. Think of your new neighbourhood, the friends you’ll meet, and the boutiques and restaurants nearby. It’s easier to manage the more practical aspects of selling your home once you can approach the process with enthusiasm. This guide covers everything from preparing your home and setting the price to finalizing the transaction seamlessly.

Before Your Sale

Create Your Game Plan

Creating a plan will help you stay on track and avoid making some of the most common seller mistakes that can happen when emotions take over. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Should you use a real estate agent?
  • How much work do you need to get your home ready for sale? Can you do it yourself, or should you bring in outside help?
  • How quickly do you want your house to sell?
  • What initial list price will get you the best exposure?
  • How do you evaluate an offer to determine if it is fair in the current market?

As you can see, a lot more goes into a successful sale than simply putting up a “For Sale” sign on your lawn. 

Choose Your Real Estate Agent

Yes, selling a house without a real estate agent is possible. Some homeowners decide to go that route, believing they will earn more money in the long run. What they don’t consider is how much work goes into the process and how much expertise is required to get the best results. 

A local real estate team helps maximize your earnings by knowing how to present your home, price it effectively, and market it to the most qualified buyers. All of this takes training and years of experience. And here’s another benefit of using a full-service Realtor®–they will take almost all the work and the stress off your shoulders!

If your home needs updates, they can arrange it. If staging your home will help you earn more money, they have access to the best designers. Plus, local agents usually have connections with other professionals and lists of interested buyers actively looking for a home.

Best of all, an experienced local agent will provide you with a level of legal protection to ensure your transaction closes without issues.

Your end result will likely be a faster sale at a higher price with much less stress or work on your part.

Determine Your Asking Price

A successful sale in any market depends primarily on what you do before your listing hits the market. The first step is to get a clear and realistic idea of how much your home might be worth. Many sellers overprice their homes, which can turn buyers away and result in a lower price when all is said and done. Your real estate agent will perform a home evaluation, looking at: 

  • The square footage
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Age of the home and recent updates
  • Lot size 
  • What comparable homes in the neighbourhood are selling for

When completed, you’ll know how to set your price to attract the most attention while maximizing the value of your home.


Selling your house is one thing. Buying your new home is a whole new topic, but once again, we’ve got you covered:


Prepare Your Home for Showings

Once you have the results from your home evaluation, you’ll have another decision to make. Should you list your property as-is, or is it worth fixing up to increase its value? If you have the time and ability, certain upgrades are almost always worth it. Here are a few to consider:

  • Thoroughly cleaning and decluttering: This step will cost you nothing but can instantly make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
  • Painting: It doesn’t cost much to paint your home, but it goes a long way to forming a positive first impression. Light or neutral colours make your home appear larger, more modern, and help to amplify the natural light. Focus particularly on the kitchen, living room, and bathroom areas. Even tired, old cupboard doors can be refreshed with a new coat of paint!
  • Hardware updates: New handles on drawers, closets, and cabinet doors provide an attractive finishing touch to your kitchen and bathroom.
  • Replace lighting fixtures: New fixtures and chandeliers can flood the room with light and add an air of modern elegance.
  • Remember the outside of your house! Keep the lawn mowed in the summer and the snow shovelled in the winter. Garbage bins and tools should be hidden in the garage or shed. You can decorate your front yard seasonally for an added touch if you’re creative.

Should you invest in significant renovations or repairs? Many extensive home improvements will not actually add value to your home and may even reduce the final selling price. Your local real estate agent will have a better idea of what buyers are looking for and can guide you to make only necessary repairs and updates.


Want even more advice on how to maximize your sale? Here is some food for thought:


Prepare Your Marketing Materials

Once your home is pristine and as beautiful as possible, it’s time to take photos and videos to attract buyer attention. Your MLS® listing will allow for up to 40 images. Since many buyers start their search online, we recommend you make the most of this opportunity. 

Other ways to market your home include social media promotions, advertising on Realtor® websites, and print media. Your strategy will depend on how busy the market is and how many homeowners you’re competing with.

Want to know more about what’s happening in the Toronto real estate market today? You can sign up for our newsletter right here.

During Your Sale

Keep Your Home Show Ready

Living in your home while keeping it ready to show on a moment’s notice can be challenging, especially if you have young children or pets. The good news is you don’t have to keep the house as pristine as it was when taking the pictures and videos. In addition, there are several ways you can stay ahead of the curve so you can quickly prepare when you have an appointment for a showing.

  • Get into the habit of putting coats and shoes straight into the closet when coming home.
  • Pack everything you won’t need for the season into bins. Hide them out of sight in the basement, garage, or storage areas.
  • Assign everyone a daily task of tidying one area of the house, like the kitchen tables, bedroom dressers, or night tables. Children can help by putting away their toys when they’re done playing.
  • Wipe down all counter surfaces and sinks once a day.

Following the above checklist will take a few minutes each day. When a buyer wants to view your home, a quick last-minute cleanup is all you will need to create the best impression.

If you want even more advice, check out our “Move-Up Guide.” It shows you everything you need to know about moving up the property ladder, including how to find and secure your new home. You can download it for free right here.

After the Sale

The Closing Process

Once you accept an offer, you will transition to the close. The hard work is over. Now it’s time to take care of the legal and financial aspects of the sale. The buyer will place a deposit (usually 5%) into a trust account. Once the transaction closes, you’ll get the remainder of the down payment and any funds from the mortgage. You will need a real estate lawyer to review all documents and research the property to ensure nothing gets in the way of the transfer of ownership.

Your Moving Day Checklist

Your transaction has closed without a hitch, and your moving day is fast approaching. Once again, some planning and preparation can erase much of the stress. This checklist will help ensure that you remember everything essential:

  • Cancel all utilities.
  • Change the address for your taxes, driver’s license, health card, and school registration.
  • Book your moving date as soon as possible.
  • Pack delicate items into boxes marked “fragile.”
  • Pack one box of everything you will need for the first 24 hours in your new home; soap, shampoo, pyjamas, a change of clothes, snacks, etc.
  • Label all boxes clearly to make unpacking easier.
  • Take one last walkthrough to make sure nothing gets left behind. Open all closet doors!

Above all, take some time to relax and celebrate. Selling your first home is no easy task, and you’ve made it! Now is the time to go out and get to know your new neighbours and surroundings and enjoy your new home.

We are a full-service real estate team that is 100% dedicated to making your move as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. If you have questions, feel free to book a meeting with us below. It’s free, and there are no obligations!