If you’re considering selling your home in the new year, the most successful sellers aren’t those who wait until January to start getting prepared… they’re the ones who start preparing far in advance. The months leading up to winter are crucial for ensuring your property is market-ready, avoiding delays, and maximizing your home’s value. From exterior photos to pre-listing inspections and securing a new certificate of location, preparing now can save you time, stress, and unexpected surprises. When it comes to guiding you through this process, there’s no team better than Team Broady. With years of experience in the West Island market, we know how to position your home to sell at the best possible price.

Capture Your Home’s Curb Appeal Before the Snow Falls

One of the first steps in preparing your home for sale is scheduling exterior photography before the snow arrives. Professional photos are often the first impression buyers get of your property online. Snow-covered lawns and icy driveways can be visually appealing in some cases, but they obscure many details buyers want to see, like professional landscaping, beautiful gardens, a pool or even driveways and walkways. By photographing your home now, you ensure your listing showcases the property in its best light, with green lawns, clean walkways, and vibrant foliage. This gives buyers an accurate sense of your home’s curb appeal and sets a strong foundation for attracting serious interest once your home hits the market. At Team Broady, we have a trusted network of professional photographers who know exactly how to showcase your home’s best features. Our listings always stand out online, helping attract motivated buyers from day one.

Why a Pre-Listing Building Inspection Makes Sense

Another step savvy sellers are taking is scheduling a pre-listing building inspection while your property is still fully visible. Once winter arrives, inspectors can no longer inspect critical areas such as your foundation or roof due to snow, ice, or frozen ground. By having an inspection done now, you allow plenty of time to address any issues that may come to light.A building inspection report will identify potential problems, many of which require further investigation or expert evaluations. Common problems may include:

Recommendation for Pyrite testing: Anytime there is visible damage to concrete floors and walls that may be caused by pyrite in the crushed stone beneath the slab.

Recommendation for Vermiculite testing: Vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos - a safety concern and potential health-hazard for buyers.

Foundation crack evaluation: Determines whether cracks require repairs to prevent leaks or to address structural concerns. 

Masonry repairs: Fixing brickwork and stonework including chimney repairs, spalling bricks, or cracked parging.

If any repairs, estimates, or further evaluations are needed, such as obtaining quotes for masonry repairs or foundation cracks, doing so before the harsh winter months ensures that the professionals have full visibility to assess the concern before everything is hidden by snow and ice.Team Broady specializes in helping sellers navigate these pre-listing inspections. We don’t just point out issues, we guide you on prioritizing repairs, connecting you with trusted contractors, and presenting solutions that boost buyer confidence.

Order a New Certificate of Location

A critical, often overlooked step in preparing your home for sale is obtaining an updated certificate of location. These certificates, which show the property’s boundaries, existing structures, and easements, must be less than 10 years old in order to be valid for a real estate transaction.

Ordering early is essential for a few reasons:

Time to address non-conformities: Occasionally, a property may not fully comply with municipal bylaws. For example, some homes in the West Island have been built too close to property lines. In such cases, the municipality may not grant “acquired rights,” and you may need to apply for a minor derogation, which requires city council approval and can take several months.

Smooth transaction process: Having an updated certificate ensures your transaction isn’t delayed while waiting for surveys or approvals.

Peace of mind for buyers: Buyers and lenders often request an up-to-date certificate to confirm property boundaries and compliance, so having it ready shows your commitment to transparency and professionalism.

With Team Broady, we make sure this step is seamless. We help coordinate the surveyors, review the certificate thoroughly, and address any municipal compliance issues ahead of time, keeping your sale on track.

Planning Ahead: The Benefits of Getting Organized Early

Preparing your home for sale isn’t just about inspections and paperwork, it’s about setting yourself up for a smooth, stress-free listing experience. Here are a few organizational tips for sellers looking to list in the new year:

Start interviewing real estate brokers: Choosing the right broker is crucial. Start conversations now to assess experience, marketing strategy, and local knowledge. By the time you’re ready to list, you’ll already have a trusted professional in your corner. Team Broady offers personalized consultations and in-depth market analysis to show you exactly how we’ll maximize the sale of your home. We may even have a qualified buyer who may be a perfect match for your home!

Create a repair and improvement plan: Use the results of your pre-listing inspection to prioritize repairs or updates. Addressing smaller issues ahead of time not only reduces last-minute stress but can also prevent renegotiations once offers come in.

Prepare your home for staging and photography: Even if major renovations aren’t necessary, decluttering, deep cleaning, and minor cosmetic updates can make a huge difference in buyer perception. Planning these tasks in advance ensures your home is photo-ready when the time comes.

Why Early Preparation Can Make or Break Your Sale

Selling a home isn’t just about listing it on the market, it’s about creating a seamless experience that maximizes value and minimizes complications. Starting your preparation now gives you the advantage of time, rather than rushing through inspections, repairs, and documentation in the new year.

Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. With unmatched expertise in the West Island market, a network of trusted partners, and a marketing strategy designed to highlight your home’s best features, we make selling simple, stress-free, and profitable. The new year is just around the corner. Take the first step now, and watch your efforts pay off when your property hits the market fully prepared, professionally presented, and ready to attract the right buyer.Contact Team Broady today to start your home-selling journey!
📧 info@teambroady.ca | 📞 514-613-2988