When sellers have the right information and a marketing plan that is second to none, properties can sell faster than you think.
Team VRESK, which consists of local REALTORSⓇ Stephen Vresk and Matt Lance, takes pride in their ability to sell homes throughout Sault Ste. Marie quickly and efficiently.
“On average right now, homes are taking a few days to sell quickly if they are priced, marketed, and negotiated correctly, from what we have been seeing,” says Stephen.
“According to the Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board’s MLS statistics, the January to March 2025 residential properties average days on market is 29 days, with an average sold price of $372,000. That just goes to show that even during the slower season, when done right, homes are moving faster than average!”
How to prep your home
The pair shares the following tips for sellers who are hoping for a quick and successful sale.
1. Address any structural concerns
An experienced buyer will often consider more structural areas of the property, inspecting the roof, foundation, and windows, as well as checking if any issues with water have occurred. As a seller, you should be prepared to answer questions before people start looking at the main areas of the house, such as your kitchen and bathroom(s), says Stephen.
2. Consider the cosmetic side
“In terms of aesthetics, we like to think that there are three main avenues that sellers need to conquer to get the best bang for their buck. You have to change your mindset and put yourself in the shoes of the buyer when they book their viewing,” says the REALTORⓇ.
a. Curb appeal
When potential buyers do a drive-by, is your curb appeal up to par? Make sure to clean up the yard, tidy up the landscaping, paint your siding, and make any minor repairs that may be needed. First impressions are everything.
b. Online presence
Great interior photos are essential. Your home should look clean, organized, and bright. Painting the walls in an off-white hue can work wonders, making the space look larger, more modern, and more inviting.
c. In-person viewings
Consider the experience buyers will have when moving through your home. Are there touches you can add that are pleasing to the senses and will elevate the experience? This could include a lit fireplace, lots of natural light, a seasonal candle, or quiet music playing in the background.
“Ultimately, tackling any structural or cosmetic issues will go a long way,” says Stephen. “And it’s always worth noting that the less personalized the home, the easier it is for potential buyers to visualize living there and making it their own.”
Pricing your home to sell
Team VRESK prides itself on providing the right information to be competitive. To do this, they use a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) that contains information on similar properties; this may include homes that are currently listed and those that have sold, and can be based on specific features of a property, within a given time frame.
“We are both born and raised Saultites so we are familiar with the area and what kind of properties yield which price ranges in specific locations. Providing this information and guidance to our clients helps them make an informed and educated decision when choosing the right price,” says Matt.
“The goal is to get the most ‘boots through the door’ to induce a bidding war and therefore a higher price for the sellers. Of course, the same applies for buyers on the education piece; they need to be made aware of what they are investing in and which areas generate certain pricing if they wish to list their own property in the near future.”
The all-important marketing plan
Team VRESK’s marketing plan contains a combination of the familiar and the new.
“When properties go up, not only do you have two REALTORSⓇ working for you directly, acting as your megaphone to the market, but you also have well over 200 local real estate agents working for you indirectly! With your property advertised on the MLS, all agents can see it and book showings quickly,” says Matt.
“The NEW features that we offer are our customized property information packages to give to buyers, along with professional pictures, a video tour, drone photos, and potentially a virtual tour, if needed. We have also invested in our local media outlets to advertise your listing beyond typical social media ads (which we still blast around to various platforms). We also run public and agent open houses to gain more traction and feedback so sellers can be updated frequently on their listing’s progress and will know what’s happening from list to closing.”
What sets Team VRESK apart
“First and foremost, you are getting two REALTORSⓇ for the price of one! We are both in your corner, whether you are selling or buying,” says Stephen. “If one of us is unavailable, then the other will be at your call and will be familiar with your situation to help you make the best negotiable decision in what can often be fast-moving trades. We are both fired up and high energy, with our phones and emails on and open, and ready to go to provide service as promptly as we can.”
The pair offers in-depth market analysis and knowledge, with well over a decade of total experience selling properties. Stephen has experience in building homes and Matt’s strengths include the use of videos to educate clients on how their property compares.
Their goal, as always, is to service their clients with the highest standard of professionalism.
Notes on the current market
The market right now is hot, say the pair. Sellers should know that if they have a property to sell, they should list it before everyone else does. It all comes down to simple supply and demand; less inventory equals higher pricing when listed correctly, and you can take advantage of multiple offers.
“If you wait until the summer, more properties will have flooded the market and buyers will have more options to choose from,” says Matt. “The time to act is now, especially with the warmer weather on the horizon.”
For a quick and accurate home evaluation, contact Stephen Vresk and Matt Lance of Royal LePage Northern Advantage, call 705-542-2742, email teamvresk@royallepage.ca or follow them on Facebook.
