The steps for selling a property: the simple and complete guide

The steps to selling a property: the simple, complete guide

Are you thinking about the sale of a house or a condo and you don’t know where to start? Between the emotion, the paperwork, and the marketing strategy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, with good preparation, the sale of a property can become a clear and structured process.

Here, step by step, is how to organize yourself to sell in the best possible conditions.

1. Clarify your project and timeline

Before any concrete action, ask yourself a few key questions:

• Why are you selling? (relocation, separation, inheritance, need for space, investment, etc.)
• What is your ideal timeline? (quick, flexible, long-term)

These answers will influence:

• Your pricing strategy
• Your conditions (occupancy date, inclusions, exclusions)
• Your level of negotiation flexibility

The sale of a house always starts with clear objectives.

2. Analyze the market and set the right price

Price is often the most sensitive element of the sale of a property.

a) Study the market

• Look at recently sold comparable properties (type, size, area, condition)
• Observe what price houses are currently listed at
• Note how long they have been on the market

b) Determine a realistic price range

Too expensive:

• Your property stays on the market for a long time
• It becomes “burned” in buyers’ eyes
• You will be forced to reduce and lose credibility

Too low:

• You potentially leave money on the table
• You can attract multiple offers, but without guaranteeing you maximize your price

A good starting price, realistic and strategic, is the foundation of a fast and effective sale of a house.

3. Prepare the property: the art of first impressions

A well-prepared property sells faster and better.

a) Declutter

• Remove excess personal items (photos, collections, trinkets)
• Free up surfaces (countertops, top of furniture)
• Organize closets to look larger

b) Repair and refresh

• Fix visible minor defects (holes in walls, broken handles, dripping taps)
• A neutral coat of paint can transform the ambiance
• Check lighting (bulbs, dated luminaires)

c) Highlight (home staging)

• Maximize natural light
• Simplify decoration
• Emphasize key rooms: kitchen, living room, main bedroom, bathroom

In the sale of a house, presentation directly influences perceived value… and thus the price people are willing to pay.

4. Gather the important documents

Anticipating buyers’ questions will save you time and strengthen your credibility.

Prepare:

• Property deed
• Recent municipal and school tax bills
• Electricity and heating bills (to show costs)
• Survey certificate (ideally recent)
• Warranties still in effect (roof, windows, appliances, recent work)
• For a condo: declaration of co-ownership, meeting minutes, financial statements of the syndicate, contingency fund, by-laws

A well-documented sale of a property reassures buyers and eases the notary’s work.

5. Choose your approach: with or without a broker

For the sale of a house, two major options are available to you:

a) Sell with a real estate broker

Advantages:

• Market analysis and pricing strategy
• Professional marketing (photos, copy, networks, showings)
• Management of calls, showings, and purchase offers
• Legal advice and support up to the notary
• Network of potential buyers and collaborating brokers

Disadvantage:

• Payment of a commission on the sale price

b) Sell by yourself

Advantages:

• Commission savings (in appearance, at least)
• Full control of the process

Challenges:

• Manage calls, showings, negotiations, paperwork
• Lack of experience in drafting documents
• Time to invest and risk of costly errors

Ask yourself: how much is your time worth, your peace of mind, and the security of your transaction?

6. Put the property on the market

Whether you are assisted or not, visibility is crucial in the sale of a house.

a) Create an attractive listing

• Professionally taken photos
• Floor plan if possible
• Clear description, focused on benefits (not just features)
• Strengths of the area: schools, transport, parks, services

b) Choose the right channels

• Real estate listing sites
• Social networks
• Sign on the property
• Personal and professional networks

7. Manage showings and follow-ups

During showings:

• Clean, tidy, well-ventilated property
• Minimal strong odors (kitchen, perfumes, pets, etc.)
• Warmly welcome without pressuring
• Let people tour at their own pace

After showings:

• Collect feedback
• Adjust as needed (price, presentation, strategy)
• Stay available to answer questions

The sale of a property is also an exercise in listening: buyers’ reactions are a wealth of information.

8. Receive and analyze the purchase offers

When offers begin to arrive:

Carefully check:

• The offered price
• The signing date and occupancy date
• The conditions (inspection, financing, sale of another property, etc.)
• The timelines for each step

Don’t look only at the price. An offer a bit lower but with no conditions can sometimes be safer and more advantageous than a high offer with many conditions.

9. Inspection and possible renegotiation

In a sale of a house, the inspection is often a pivotal moment.

Possible scenarios:

• Nothing major: the transaction proceeds as planned
• Problems detected: the buyer may
• Ask for a price reduction
• Ask for repairs
• Decide to withdraw (if provided in the purchase agreement)

You will then:

• Evaluate the seriousness of the issues
• Obtain cost estimates if needed
• Decide whether you accept, refuse, or propose a compromise

10. Signing at the notary and handing over the keys

Last step of the sale of a property:

• The notary prepares the documents (sale deed, mortgage, etc.)
• The buyer signs, then you sign
• Funds are transferred by the notary
• The keys are handed to the buyer on the planned date

Before this date, make sure:

• To plan your move properly
• To update your address (banks, government, services, etc.)
• To read the energy meter on possession date

Conclusion: a structured sale, a calmer experience

The sale of a house may seem complex, but by breaking it into clear steps, it becomes much more manageable:

1. Clarify your project
2. Set a realistic price
3. Prepare the property
4. Gather the documents
5. Choose your approach (with or without broker)
6. Market it effectively
7. Manage showings
8. Analyze offers
9. Pass the inspection
10. Close at the notary

Each decision made methodically increases your chances of selling at the right price, within the right timelines, and with the least possible stress.

If you are considering the sale of a property in the near future, use these steps as a checklist and adapt them to your reality. It is often this upfront preparation that makes all the difference at the moment of signing.