Signing the listing agreement officially gives
Danielle the green light to start selling your home. Here is what’s involved.
The “Listing Agreement” authorizes your REALTOR's® brokerage (HomeLife Benchmark Realty in Danielle's case) to market and sell your home. This agreement serves three purposes.
- It defines your relationship, including the limits of your REALTOR®’s authority.
- It provides detailed information about your home which can be placed on a real estate Board’s MLS® System to help potential buyers find you.
- It forms the basis for drafting offers on your home.
Highlights of the Listing Agreement
- Authority
This describes the legal relationship between you and the real estate brokerage, and sets a time limit for Danielle to sell your home.
- Exclusive or Multiple Listing Service®?
“Exclusive Listing” means that only HomeLife Benchmark Realty can find a buyer for your home. Danielle recommends a “Multiple Listing”, which allows her to put your home on a real estate Board’s MLS® System – a great tool to market your home and help find a buyer.
- Price
You have the final say over this magic number, but Danielle will have very useful advice on what price will attract buyers. Learn more about choosing the right asking price in Determine your home’s asking price
- Real estate commission
This may be a flat fee or a percentage of the final sale price. The compensation is agreed upon between you and the individual brokerage.
- A physical description of your property
Danielle will itemize the lot size, your home’s age, the style of construction, number and size of the rooms, and any outstanding selling features such as “backs onto ravine” or “fabulous kitchen renovation”.
- Legal information
This includes the lot number, land surveys and the zoning code.
- Financial information
Let people know the numbers like the minimum deposit you require or if you have a low-interest rate mortgage that can be assumed.
- Completion date
This lets everybody know how long you need to move out once your home is sold. 60 or 90 days is typical, but if you can be flexible this may help sell your home faster.
- How the home will be shown
Danielle will make all the arrangements for viewing appointments. Any specific instructions, such as “make sure the cat stays in” can also be noted.
- What exactly is included in the price? Chattels and fixtures
Chattels are moveable items like washers and dryers, microwaves and window blinds. They’re not automatically included in the sale, but sellers will often include them to sweeten the deal.
Fixtures are permanent improvements to a property like central air conditioning, installed lighting and wall-to-wall carpeting. Fixtures are assumed to be included in the sale of the home unless you note otherwise. Maybe the dining room chandelier is family heirloom that you wish to take with you. The line between chattel and fixture can get blurry, so Danielle will take time to go over every item to avoid unpleasant suprises after the deal is complete.
