Frequently Asked Questions

  • We specialize in East Toronto. West to Yonge Street and east to Cliffcrest / Guildwood. With a hyper-focus on neighbourhoods including:

    St. Lawrence Market

    Corktown

    Riverdale

    Leslieville

    The Danforth

    East York

    Upper Beaches

    The Beaches

    City of Toronto

  • Absolutely we do. MLSⓇ and Realtor.ca are a real estate agent’s lifeline for selling your home. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the GTA real estate market runs on these platforms. We list your property on both platforms as part of our Full Real Estate Services package.

  • MLSⓇ is an acronym for Multiple Listing Service. It’s a database that lets you reach a large number of prospective buyers and increases your home’s exposure. Only licensed real estate professionals have access to the main database. MLSⓇ participating brokers can enter contracts to share commission on the sale of homes. So, for example, if you list your home with one broker and another sells it, they split the commission indicated in the listing agreement (typically 5% in the GTA).

    Please note, there are no fees or service charges to list your property via MLSⓇ. This is a standard procedure that is provided with our Full Real Estate Services package.

  • “1 million dollars…. Dr. Evil (Austin Powers).”

    None! Listing your home doesn’t require any upfront costs and you still get low commission real estate services. All fees including commission, HST (only on services i.e. realtor, lawyer etc) are paid once the transaction is completed. Our services are free of cost UNTIL we sell your home for the price & terms YOU want!

  • No! There are no fees or service charges to list your property on MLSⓇ. It comes complimentary as part of our full real estate services coverage.

  • Full Real Estate Services is subjective, as a sole proprietor we as agents can run our business however we see fit but in general terms it means that we represent you through every step of the process; from listing all the way to the final price negotiation and the closing of the sale. Our full service package includes:

    Listing your property on MLS® and REALTOR.ca

    Full scope of marketing via key real estate websites and platforms, google, social media, email and personal referrals.

    Home inspection services.

    Home staging services.

    Home repairs, painting and minor improvements.

    Providing high-resolution photos/videos (depending on the property).

    Providing high-quality signage and advertising.

    Holding open houses.

    Lock box.

    Booking home showings.

    Providing feedback

    All documentation and contracts.

    Representing you in negotiations with the buyer’s agent.

    And finally, getting you through the final hours on closing day!

  • That’s a good question. The truth is, there is no singular answer. In general, the GTA real estate market is more active in the spring, summer and fall than in the winter. Often, you will get more action during peak seasons in the spring and late summer/early fall.

    However, the decision to sell is highly personal, and depends on your needs. If you are moving in the winter and need to sell your current home for financial reasons, it may be better to sell in a down season than put off your move. Also, the Toronto real estate market continues to be very strong, even during the slower months we get great offers for most properties in a reasonable timeframe.

  • Again, this is a highly individual matter and depends on your needs. Having proceeds from a recent sale on hand will certainly make financing your next purchase easier. That’s one reason you might want to sell first. On the other hand, buying first means you can move into your new home when you want to.

    As a general rule, if you are buying an in-demand property and selling one that’s not so desirable, it’s better to sell first. You never want to be stuck with two mortgages. It is advisable to sell and have the equity first, which gives you a more clear financial picture before purchasing your next home. However, everyone’s finances are different and it is best assessed on a case-by-case basis.

  • The condition of your home of course will have an impact on the sale price.

    Fortunately, the answer to your question is yes; there’s a lot you can do to improve the condition of your home before listing. This is a process that real estate agents call ‘staging;’ it involves decluttering, re-decorating, and even renovating your home before listing it. We appreciate that you may not have the budget for major renovations; the truth is, even simple fixes like re-organizing furniture and keeping the home clean can have a major impact. P.S. We offer a free staging consultation!

  • Yes! Marketing is the most viable tool to attract interest in your property. Our team attributes marketing as the key component in the majority of our sales. We offer a full scope of online marketing strategies including MLSⓇ, realtor.ca, google, social media, email and personal referrals through our extensive buyer/seller client database. Simply putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign near your home will result in far fewer offers than you would see if you had actively marketed your property.

    The GTA real estate market is extremely active, with hundreds of transactions taking place every week. To stand out in this market, it’s absolutely crucial that you and your agent actively market your home. 92% of buyers find their next home online. We use a heavy Google and Facebook marketing presence to get your property seen and sold.

  • Ultimately, the answer depends on whether you have accepted the offer and tendered it in writing. If you have signed a contract with a buyer then you are bound by it; for this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that your buyer has a certified cheque before entering an agreement to sell.

  • With the advent of mobile technology and the leaps in photography and videography, open houses have become a somewhat antiquated method in pursuing buyers. The truth is, most people prefer a private showing where they are able to think and respond more naturally to the home. Most of the time an open house is not something that is necessary to sell your property but of course every transaction is unique and some properties may call for it.

    Through 15 years of experience, our team has traced less than 6% of our sales to open houses. It’s not the only way to sell a home, but it also doesn’t hurt in a strong market and it can be effective.

  • The GTA market is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world and values of properties can vary substantially from neighbourhood-to-neighbourhood. Ultimately, the value of a home comes down to a number of factors, including:

    Location

    Size & Type of Property (Detached, condo, semi, townhouse, etc.)

    Condition

    Finishes & Features

    Valued physical features such as ravine lot, southern exposure, amenities, etc

    Age

    Typically, it’s a good idea to price your home similarly to recent sale prices of comparable properties. We are experts at market evaluations and understand the nuances of the different sub-markets that the GTA contains (condo market, detached market, flip properties, etc.). Simply put, effective pricing strategies generate interest which results in more offers and less days on the market – ideal conditions for selling your property.

  • There are a number of things you can do to help your home sell. The GTA real estate market is very active, and most homes should sell given adequate marketing and promotion. Factors that may negatively impact your home’s time-on-market include: pricing it too high, poor marketing or a lack of marketing, lack of preparation in keeping your home ‘sell friendly’, or attempting to sell without an agent. It’s always a good idea to speak with a real estate sales representative before selling your home.

    Sometimes, finding the right buyer for a unique property can take some time. Our team highly values communication and will always reach out to you if we feel that a change in strategy can be effective.

  • The key to selling your home within a reasonable timeframe is marketing. Positioning your home effectively will always increase your chances in generating a quick sale. Our team utilizes a number of marketing strategies to sell your home, including listings, open houses, staging and more. If you have a home in the GTA that you would like to sell soon, please call us anytime at 416-262-8015 and we will be happy to explore your options with you.

  • The number 1 recommendation to any homeowner before selling a home is:

    1. Get a clear picture of your financial situation. Speak with an accountant and/or financial planner and meet with your mortgage lender or banking institution. They will provide you with professional insights on tax matters, financing for your next home, etc.

    2. Speak with a realtor. Once you have your financial picture sorted out, we are ready to represent you all the way to the final sale!

  • We are ready to take your call at any time, and will respond to any request within 24 hours. Feel free to contact us any time using one of the options below:

    Phone:  416.262.8015
    Email:  sold@taylorjonesgroup.com