Seller Success Story:
Why Preparation Builds Confidence & Value
The Situation Before
Two years before they planned to move, Tommy and his wife received one of our Homeowners Advisory Club flyers. Curious about what their home was worth and how to best prepare for an eventual sale, they reached out for advice. With Tommy approaching retirement from McGill and their adult kids leaving the nest, the house felt too big. They had their eyes on a smaller place in Cornwall.
Unlike many sellers, they weren’t rushing. They had no fear of the process because they had the one thing most homeowners lack — time to plan.
The Discovery Phase
When we first sat down together in December 2022, we delivered a property evaluation of $1.3–$1.35M. More importantly, we gave them a clear plan: tackle repairs, invest in updates, and prepare the home for a future buyer’s inspection. They trusted our process immediately, committed to the plan, and over the next two years, followed every recommendation.
The Challenges
It wasn’t easy. Updates and repairs take time and effort. They had the house professionally cleaned, staged, and inspected, turning a well-loved family home into a showpiece. The transformation was nothing short of incredible.
When it came time to launch in July, the timing wasn’t ideal — the construction holiday meant slower traffic. Their original list price of $1,525,000 didn’t generate the buzz we wanted in those first two weeks. But because they trusted the process, they were open to adjusting the pricing strategy. We recommended a price adjustment to $1,495,000 and relaunched with renewed momentum.
The Turning Point
The market responded instantly. Within days of the adjustment, visits picked up. One of those buyers quickly turned into an offer. We went back and forth on terms, leaning on our negotiation strategy and knowledge of the local market to protect value while keeping the deal alive. The buyers weren’t just impressed by the house; they were impressed by the transparency: the pre-listing inspection, the detailed seller’s declaration, and the obvious care put into preparation. That trust tipped the scales in our clients’ favour, and our counter-offer was accepted.
The Aftermath
The buyer’s inspection went smoothly, with no surprises. The deal is now firm, and Tommy and Marlies are preparing for their next chapter in Cornwall. Reflecting on the journey, they told us how much they valued not just our team, but also the network of trusted professionals who helped along the way. Every contractor, cleaner, inspector, and stager contributed to the final outcome.
The Lesson
Their story is proof that preparation builds confidence, and confidence builds value. By starting early, investing in the right updates, and trusting the process, they not only avoided the stress so many sellers face, but they also maximized their sale price and controlled their timeline.
Our Role as Their Guide
From the first evaluation to the final handshake, our job was to map the journey, anticipate obstacles, and keep them on track. They did the hard work of preparing their home, and we did the hard work of aligning the home’s story with the ideal buyer profile. Together, we got them the result they were looking for with the least amount of stress.
