Elizabeth Stokely, Sales Representative

Here is another real estate term that the general public finds confusing.  What does it mean when a home is an “exclusive listing” and is that a good or bad thing for a potential buyer or seller?

An exclusive listing means that the owner(s) of the property, have entered into a listing contract with a licensed, professional real estate agent.  However, since it is ‘exclusive’, (meaning exclusive to the listing brokerage only) it will not be entered into the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and only real estate representatives from the listing brokerage will have access to the property for showings.

So if access to the property is restricted, how in world does that benefit the Seller?  Well, I only use the exclusive listing option if the homeowners need a bit of time to prepare their home for photos and full exposure.  It also gives me, as the listing agent, an opportunity to prepare all the marketing materials necessary for an MLS® listing.  During the time that they are de-cluttering and generally staging their home, I am able to prepare the custom feature sheets, web site and exterior signage.  I also commit to (in writing) a number of marketing steps when I list a home for sale in order to “launch” the property to the largest number of potential buyers.  The seller benefits by the interest created in the home during the exclusive listing period.  Once the home is ready for listing on MLS®, potential buyers already know about the property and are eager to view it.

Is there any benefit to a buyer to this “exclusive listing” status?  Yes, there is a great benefit for a buyer with exclusive listings.  In the Ottawa area, we are blessed with a stable real estate market that often sees properties sell very quickly and sometimes with multiple offers.  Exclusive listings enable a buyer that is committed to working with the listing brokerage, (in this case Keller Williams Ottawa Realty), to view the home before it is available to the general public via the MLS® system.  If it is the right home for them, they can then put in an offer on the property while it is still an exclusive listing.

So, you see, an exclusive listing can assist the seller by creating buzz about their property prior to it going on MLS® and the potential to sell it very quickly.  A buyer can benefit by working with an agent, like myself, who can provide information on our extensive list of exclusive listings to enable them to view homes before the general public.  Exclusive listings get great results, whether buying or selling.  Contact me today to see if an exclusive listing is right for you.

North Grenville, Leeds and Grenville United Counties  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 40 Tamarack Circle on January 22 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Open House (Sun, Jan 22nd, 2-4 pm) Directions:  HWY 416 to Hwy 43 exit.  Take #43 West to Kemptville.  4km past the 3^rd roundabout, turn onto Meadow Glen Circle (large sign for Glengables Village).  Follow Meadow Glen Circle to Hemlock Rd.  Right onto Tamarack

Property information

I think that the general public does not realize everything I do when listing a home for sale.  It's about a lot more than setting a price, putting up a sign and adding the property to the MLS® database.  Take the townhouse that I listed on the weekend. 

The parents were there helping out their son by readying the home for sale.  However, there was a young dog in the home that although a gorgeous dog, was rambunctious and did not like being left alone for long periods of time while his owner was at work.  There was no way we could have the dog in the home while showings were taking place and the owner would be unable to take him to his next home.  They had come to the difficult decision that the dog had to find a new home.  Within the next few days!

A couple of prospective homes had fallen through and the owner was considering surrendering the dog to a shelter or rescue organization.  So, I sent an email out to a contact asking if they knew of anyone who would like a dog.  Two days later this wonderful young dog was happily driving away to his new home.

My client was delighted that this difficult issue had been taken care of for him and turned to the two old cars in the driveway and asked if I could work my magic to help him sell/get rid of those as well!  A few hours later, after I posted the cars for sale on a number of sites, his phone and email was being inundated with requests for more information and offers to purchase the vehicles.

So, you see, as a listing agent, it can be about a lot more than just listing the house!

Please feel free to drop by a great new listing at 62 Sutcliffe Terrace in Barrhaven on Sunday, Sept 19th, anytime between 2-4 pm.  I'll have some homemade lemonade and treats available!

This fabulous, freehold townhouse is located in a great neighbourhood, on a quiet street, close to schools, parks, transit and shopping.  Why pay rent or condo fees when you can own a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a garage and fully fenced backyard.

I'm looking forward to hosting this open house and meeting all of you on Sunday!

Who among us hasn't spent either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon going to open houses?  It's a great way to spend a couple of hours when you have nothing else planned and besides, you always wanted to see the inside of that big house on the next block, didn’t you?  The other reason people go to open houses is to get an idea of what similar homes are priced at and to get staging ideas.

But what about the REALTOR® who is working the open house?  Why are they there?  I mean really, who wants to get up at daybreak on a Sunday, lug a bunch of heavy directional signs into their car and then drive around putting them up at various intersections.  And that's not counting the money and effort spent prior to the weekend advertising the event, sending out flyers and calling the neighbours to personally invite them to come over and walk through someone else’s home.  Why do we do it?  Why do we get dressed up like we are going to church with our grandparents and set up camp in a seller’s house for two hours? 

Then there is all the effort the homeowner puts into getting their property ready for an open house.  Cleaning, airing it out, making sure everything is neat and tidy so that a bunch of strangers can tromp through their house.  Why do they allow one open house, let alone more than one if the house does not sell right away?

An open house is a lot of work – for the owner and the REALTOR®.  I know that I don’t host them for the good of my health or because I don’t have anything better to do with my weekends.  Some sellers and agents think they are a waste of time.  I don’t and here’s why.

From the sellers’ perspective, an open house is a great way to expose your home to a wide range of purchasers or potential purchasers.  Sure some people are just nosey neighbours or decide on a whim while driving around to stop in, but, you never who they may talk to later that day or at work on Monday about the property.  The more people who actually visit your home, and talk about it with friends, family and co-workers, the better chance it has to sell quickly and for the best price.

And on the agents side, it’s a great way to introduce yourself to members of the general public who may, or may not, be looking to either buy or sell a home in that neighbourhood.  Any person, not already represented by another REALTOR® is a potential client. 

But, the best part about hosting an open house is when a couple (or individual person), comes in, loves the home, walks up to me and says “We want to make an offer.  Can you help us?”  Granted, this doesn’t happen often, but it happened to me a couple of weeks ago and that lovely family moves into their new home just before the May 24^th weekend.  It was a win-win for everyone and it all happened because of the open house.