The 5 Simple Steps to Selling in Toronto
There’s no disputing the Toronto real estate market is a Seller’s market. When inventory is low, Sellers are definitely in the driver’s seat. But beware of falling into the trap that some Seller’s do. We hear it all the time… “We may just sell our home privately.”
What’s more important to you: saving money on the front end (commission); or reaping the rewards on the back end (record sale). If you analyze the statistics you’ll clearly see that record sales always involve experienced and connected listing agents. The commission you’ll pay an agent as a Seller is a drop in the bucket compared to what you’ll actually take home with a record sale price in the end.
Our advice: find a local agent who can sell both your home and your neighbourhood. You want an agent who can speak personally about the schools, the shops, the parks—the inside scoop! You’ll also want an agent that has strong connections with colleagues and your community. Plus, if that agent is backed by a brokerage with international reach—you know you’re getting maximum coverage.
There are many other aspects worth exploring when choosing an agent to help you sell your home- and we’d love to chat more with you about it!
Thinking about making a move?
Click here for a copy of our Sellers Guide!
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The Twins had a sparkling positive attitude, making us feel secure & confident throughout the sale process.
Maja Ardal & Jeff Braunstein
EMPTY NESTERS & DOWNSIZING
Let’s fly the coop!
The Carver Twins are Certified Senior Specialists which means they not only know what type of questions to ask… but they know how to listen and how to communicate at a very specific time in a clients’ life.
Your first property purchase will have a huge impact on your life and your financial health—there’s no debate there. But your last sale may be even more important. Before you jump into this last phase of your life ask yourself—what matters most to you? Do the calculus and determine what size and shape you need in the immediate surroundings of your home and in the area.
Take the time to imagine your lifestyle in 5, 10, 20, 30 years—it may change and this one big move needs to be able to work with that change.
LANDSCAPING | The National Post - May 21, 2026
How a garden can help sell a home
As well as boosting curb appeal, a home’s garden can quietly shape how buyers feel about a property before they’ve even stepped inside. Sarah and Fiona Carver of Toronto-based Sage Real Estate explain which landscaping upgrades deliver the strongest returns, and how even modest outdoor improvements can make a home feel more spacious and valuable. From front-path hardscaping to low-maintenance planting, they offer some practical advice for sellers hoping to make their exterior spaces work harder at listing time.
Q What role does the garden play in shaping a buyer’s first impression of a home?
Sarah It’s a great way to show prospective buyers that the current sellers truly valued and enjoyed their time in the home, as they quite literally laid down roots. It shows they invested in the home beyond just the standard upkeep.
Q Which outdoor upgrades tend to deliver the biggest impact when preparing a property for sale?
Fiona The front yard, especially the hardscaping: the walkway, path and steps leading to the front door. Having even just a little garden or planters out front really sets the tone before entering the house. The backyard and patio are a close second, as they show potential buyers how expansive a property is and how much they can potentially entertain.
Q Are there particular plants, flowers or design styles that help a home appeal to more buyers?
Sarah Low-maintenance perennials are the most enticing, as they will appeal to those who don’t consider themselves to have green thumbs and won’t be overwhelmed.
Q What are the most common mistakes homeowners make when trying to improve their yard before listing?
Fiona Not tending to larger/older trees is a huge deterrent for buyers who don’t want to take on the potential upkeep cost. Also, laying down sod that hasn’t taken yet can show buyers that it’s hard to grow. It’s best to avoid laying new sod unless it’s going to adhere completely before going to market.
Q How can sellers make a garden look polished and inviting without spending a fortune?
Q How often do sellers reach out to agents about helping to stage a garden?
Q How do features like patios, lighting, pathways and outdoor seating affect the perceived value of a property?
Q In your experience, to what extent can a well-staged garden influence sale price?
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Are you buying and selling in:
The first question most people ask when they are planning a tandem buy and sell is “Which one do I do first?.There is no one size fits all answer to this question.
The following are some questions that will help us guide you to taking the best approach.
How risk averse are you?
What kind of financial flexibility do you have? (ie: Do you have the cash to carry 2 mortgages at the same time and if so how long are you comfortable doing that?)
Are you set on buying a specific home or something in a small specific area?
How do you handle stress?
The Carver Twins spend half their time doing just this - guiding their clients through both sides of a move - so you’re in very capable hands when you’re working with them.
The Toronto Real Estate Market is a Seller’s market - that we all know. When you plan to buy and sell in this market remember that on the selling side you are truly in the driver’s seat. So, take advantage of this! Use all the leverage you have on the selling side such as dictating your preferred closing date so that the closings on both sides line up to work with your move best. Be strategic with your sale and purchase schedule so that you reap as much reward as possible on your sale and use an experienced well connected buyer agent to give you all the advantage you can get on the buying end.
When you buy and sell in different markets we hope the real estate gods are in your favour and you’re selling in a sellers market and buying in a buyers market. If this is the case, you’re gold. If you find yourself in a situation where this is the polar opposite it really means you just need to be careful with your math - be as conservative as possible with your numbers. This way there will be no unexpected snags - only the opening for some pleasant surprises. Work with well connected local experts that can speaks columns about the specifics in both areas.
