Selling a home is often considered one of the most stressful experiences in life. A home is more than just a physical structure; it holds significant meaning and memories for homeowners. The unknowns and unpredictability can create a sense of helplessness.

The uncertainty of how long it will take to sell and what price a homeowner will get for their home can also add to the financial pressures of selling.

There are many reasons why people choose to sell their homes. Some may be downsizing, some upsizing, and some may be facing financial strain due to higher mortgage payments.

Wahi’s recent Home Seller Intentions survey asked Canadians whether they’re considering selling their homes over the next several years and their reasons for selling. Interestingly, despite the higher interest rate environment, very few homeowners (11 per cent) said they would be forced to sell for financial reasons. In fact, the biggest reason Canadians cited for selling was downsizing (37 per cent), followed by upsizing (25 per cent) and relocation (25 per cent).   

When survey respondents were asked what they considered to be the most important steps to achieving their desired sale price, 23 per cent said they were waiting for the right market conditions to get the best sale price, followed by renovations or repairs (16 per cent) and finding a good Realtor (16 per cent).   

While the selling process can be frustrating and overwhelming no matter what the reason is for selling, leveraging the right combination of technology, insights and human expertise can help make the process faster, easier and less stressful. 

Consumers today have access to a wide selection of digital tools and data they didn’t have even just a few years ago.

Technology and market insights can help remove the guesswork for a smarter, more efficient way to sell a home. With the right technology, access to insights and expert Realtors, sellers can create a strategy that will greatly increase the chance of a successful sale. 

Home value estimates 

One of the biggest advantages technology brings to home sellers is the ability to independently research a home's value.

An instant home value estimate tool can be used to devise a selling strategy. Combined with comparable sold prices in a neighbourhood, these tools can provide an accurate and quick estimate of what a home is worth so sellers can plan the best possible strategy. 

Using a home’s distinct traits and the latest market intel, homeowners can find the approximate value of their house or condo with a click of a button. This can help sellers decide on an appropriate list price and determine what an acceptable offer might look like.

Furthermore, homeowners can keep track of their property to see how its value changes over time. 

Market data and insights

When creating a selling strategy, monitoring the real estate activity in a seller’s neighbourhood can influence their decision about when to sell and how much to sell for.

Consumers can compare sold prices with list prices for houses and condos to see which neighbourhoods have homes selling for over and under asking prices. This can help sellers decide if now is the right time to sell in their neighbourhood and determine pricing strategies based on whether the area is experiencing more overbidding or underbidding activity. 

Realtor matching

While technology is changing how consumers can access information that traditionally was only available to Realtors, it doesn’t replace the need for guidance, analysis, expertise, local knowledge and support. 

Finding the right Realtor to sell a home can greatly improve a homeowner’s chances of achieving a successful outcome, however many consumers don’t know how to determine which Realtor is the best fit. AI-based Realtor matching uses years of data on agents to match Realtors and consumers.

This recommendation system can connect sellers with vetted agents who have a proven track record. This helps to ensure consumers get matched with the right Realtor.

Users can input their preferred location, type of residence and budget, and the algorithm will generate a list of agents from the most qualified Realtors in their areas that meet the specified requirements. 

Leveraging an online home value estimator, the latest data and market insights, and the right Realtor removes the guesswork — and much of the stress — that comes with selling a home. A combination of tech tools and human expertise provides a smarter, more efficient way to sell a home, ensuring the selling strategy is a winning strategy.

Benjy Katchen is the CEO of Wahi, a digital real estate company that redefines the homebuying experience by putting more power into consumers’ hands. By combining cutting-edge tech and market data with expert Realtors, Wahi offers unmatched access to insights, tools and the team that makes buying a home faster and easier.