Hill & Harbour Real Estate Group — Vancouver
Sell your home
for what it's truly worth.
A complete guide to selling your home in Vancouver — pricing strategy, professional marketing, negotiation, and closing — from a team ranked in the top 10% of Greater Vancouver realtors since 2019.
Top 10% of Realtors in Greater Vancouver
2019 – 2025
Top 10% of Real Estate Teams in Greater Vancouver
2023 – 2025
5.0 Google Rating
100+ Verified Reviews
Why It Matters
The difference between
a good sale and a great one.
In Vancouver's market, the gap between a well-executed sale and a poorly managed one can be tens of thousands of dollars. The right pricing, the right preparation, and the right negotiation strategy — all executed at the right moment — determine the outcome.
This guide walks you through exactly how we approach every sale. Not a generic checklist — a transparent account of the decisions and strategies that have earned our clients consistently strong results over 14+ years.
14+
Years of Vancouver Seller Representation
5.0
Average Google Rating · 100+ Reviews
Top
10%
10%
MLS Medallion Club · 2019–2025
The Process
How to sell your home in
10 clear steps.
01
Define Your Goals
Every successful sale starts with clarity. Are you upgrading, downsizing, or relocating? Your timeline and financial targets shape every decision that follows — from the list price to the closing date. We begin every client relationship here, so the entire strategy is built around what success actually looks like for you.
02
Choose Your Realtor
Your realtor is your strategist, negotiator, and advocate. Look for demonstrated local market expertise, a comprehensive marketing approach, and — critically — someone whose communication style you trust. We've earned Master Medallion Club status by doing right by our clients, and we'd welcome the chance to earn your trust as well.
03
Price Your Property
Homes receive the most buyer attention in the first two weeks on market. Overpricing costs you that window. We provide a complimentary comparative market analysis — reviewing recent sales, active competition, and current demand — to identify the price point that generates real offers without leaving money on the table.
04
Prepare Your Home
First impressions are formed before a buyer walks through the door. We advise on targeted minor improvements that move the needle, and provide a complimentary staging consultation with our trusted partners. The goal: a home that photographs beautifully and shows even better in person.
05
Market the Home
Our marketing plan goes beyond an MLS listing. Professional photography, virtual tours, targeted digital advertising, social media promotion, print, and direct outreach to qualified buyers in our network. We reach more of the right people than most teams in this market.
06
Show the Home
Flexibility in scheduling translates directly to more offers. We coordinate all showings and open houses, and work closely with you — and your tenants, if applicable — to create showing windows that minimize disruption while maximizing buyer exposure.
07
Gather Feedback
After every showing, we reach out to buyers and their agents to understand what resonated — and what held them back. This structured feedback loop allows us to refine the presentation, address concerns early, and stay ahead of how the market is moving.
08
Evaluate Offers
When offers arrive, we walk you through every component — price, subjects, deposit, completion date, and terms. Not all offers are equal, and strong negotiation means understanding the full picture. We advise clearly on how to respond to achieve the best possible outcome.
09
Remove Subjects
Once your offer is accepted, the buyer works through any conditions — typically financing approval and home inspection. We guide you through this period, ensuring subjects are satisfied on time and that the transaction moves forward without unnecessary delays.
10
Close the Sale
We coordinate every element of closing — liaising with your lawyer or notary, the buyer's agent, and your lender. On completion day, title transfers, your mortgage is discharged, and the net proceeds are released to you. We make sure it goes smoothly and on time.
Our Marketing Plan
Maximum exposure.
Minimum time on market.
The most qualified buyers are looking across multiple channels simultaneously. Our marketing strategy ensures your home appears in front of them — on the platforms they use, at the moment they're ready to act.
We go well beyond the MLS. Every listing receives a dedicated, multi-channel campaign built to generate competitive interest, not just clicks.
MLS & Online Portals
Realtor.ca, Zillow, RE/MAX, and more
Professional Photography
High-resolution stills + virtual tours
Social Media Advertising
Targeted campaigns on Instagram & Facebook
Direct Mail & Print
Neighbourhood-targeted print campaigns
Buyer Network Outreach
Direct reach to qualified buyers in our database
Open Houses
Hosted, promoted, and followed up on
Our Approach
What we do differently.
01
Honest Pricing
We will tell you if your price expectation is unrealistic. We understand that's not always easy to hear, but it's the most important conversation we can have before going to market. Overpricing costs sellers more than it saves them.
02
Strategic Preparation
Not every improvement is worth making before a sale. We advise specifically on what will move the needle in your neighbourhood and price range — and what won't — so you invest where it counts.
03
Expert Negotiation
Removing emotion from the negotiation table is one of the most valuable things a realtor does. We are experienced negotiators who focus on outcome, not comfort — and the difference shows in the final number.
04
Full Transparency
You will always know where things stand. We outline costs upfront, communicate showings and feedback in real time, and ensure there are no surprises — especially at the closing table. Most costs are covered in our complimentary market analysis.
What to Expect
Understanding the costs
of selling a home in Vancouver.
Legal Fees
Lawyer or Notary
You will need a lawyer or notary to handle the legal transfer of title, discharge your mortgage, and disburse net proceeds. Fees are typically $2,000 or more. We recommend engaging them at least three weeks before completion.
Realtor Fees
Real Estate Commission
Commission is deducted from sale proceeds at closing by your lawyer. The amount is agreed upon when you list and is subject to GST. We're transparent about our fees from day one — no surprises.
Mortgage
Mortgage Discharge
Your lender will confirm the payout amount to your lawyer. If you are breaking a fixed mortgage before its term ends, prepayment penalties will apply. Open mortgages and portable mortgages may offer more flexibility.
Tax Implications
Capital Gains & Withholding
Selling a non-primary residence triggers capital gains tax at a minimum 50% inclusion rate. Non-resident sellers are subject to a 25% withholding tax — your lawyer manages the Clearance Certificate process. Consult an accountant before you list.
Adjustments
Property Tax Adjustments
If you have prepaid property taxes, you will be reimbursed at closing for the period after the adjustment date. The buyer assumes responsibility for property taxes from that date forward.
Pre-Listing
Preparation & Staging
Minor repairs, decluttering, and staging are investments — not just costs. We provide a complimentary staging consultation and advise specifically on improvements most likely to increase your sale price in your neighbourhood and price range.
Common Questions
Answers to the questions
sellers ask most.
Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most often from Vancouver homeowners considering a sale.
Start by setting a realistic price based on current market comparables — your realtor will provide a comparative market analysis to guide this. Prepare your home through decluttering, minor repairs, and professional staging. Then deploy a comprehensive marketing campaign including professional photography, MLS listing, and targeted digital advertising. A licensed Vancouver realtor manages showings, negotiates on your behalf, and coordinates the legal closing process through to possession day.
Homes in Vancouver receive the strongest buyer interest in the first two weeks on market. With accurate pricing and a strong marketing launch, many properties receive offers within that window. The full process — from listing to a completed sale — typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on subject removal timelines and the agreed closing date.
Typical selling costs include real estate commission (plus GST), legal or notary fees (approximately $2,000 or more), any pre-listing repairs or staging investments, and mortgage penalty fees if you are breaking a fixed-rate mortgage early. Sellers of non-primary residences will also owe capital gains tax (minimum 50% inclusion rate). Non-resident sellers face a 25% withholding tax requirement. We outline all anticipated costs upfront in our complimentary market analysis.
A comparative market analysis is a report prepared by a realtor that evaluates your property against recently sold, currently active, and expired listings in your area to recommend a competitive list price. It is one of the most important tools in a successful sale — without it, you are guessing on price. Hill & Harbour provides complimentary CMAs for Vancouver homeowners considering a sale.
In most cases, minor improvements offer the best return: fresh paint, decluttering, cosmetic repairs, and professional staging. Major renovations rarely recoup their full cost at sale. The answer depends heavily on your property type, neighbourhood, and price point. We provide specific, investment-focused advice on what will actually improve buyer perception and sale price — before you spend a dollar.
On completion day, the buyer's funds are transferred to your lawyer or notary in trust. Your mortgage and any outstanding fees are discharged. Title is transferred to the buyer and registration is confirmed by 4 pm. Your lawyer provides a final statement of accounts outlining all costs and disbursements, and your net proceeds are released. Leave spare keys, garage remotes, and appliance manuals on the kitchen counter for the new owners.
Yes — selling a tenanted property in Vancouver is common and entirely manageable with the right approach. BC's Residential Tenancy Act governs notice requirements and the rights of both parties. We work directly with you and your tenants to schedule showing windows that minimize disruption and maintain a cooperative relationship throughout the process. Getting this right upfront prevents delays and protects everyone involved.
What to Avoid
The most common mistakes
Vancouver sellers make.
01
Overpricing at Launch
The first two weeks on market are your most powerful. An inflated price pushes qualified buyers to competing properties and forces a price reduction — which signals weakness and attracts lower offers than a correctly priced launch would have.
02
Skipping Professional Photography
The majority of buyers begin their search online. Low-quality listing photos are a filter — they filter your home out. Professional photography is one of the highest-return investments you can make before going to market.
03
Negotiating Emotionally
Your home carries significant personal meaning. Buyers don't share that attachment — and negotiating as though they do leads to decisions that cost money. A skilled realtor removes that dynamic entirely and focuses purely on outcome.
04
Deferring Repairs
Visible deferred maintenance gives buyers a reason to negotiate hard or walk away. Small repairs completed before listing are almost always cheaper than the concessions buyers extract during negotiation or subject removal.
05
Incomplete Disclosures
Full, upfront disclosure of known material defects saves time and protects you legally. Issues discovered late in a transaction — after subjects are removed — create costly disputes. Transparency is both the ethical and strategic choice.
06
Underestimating Closing Costs
Commission, legal fees, mortgage penalties, and potential tax obligations can add up quickly. Understanding the full picture before you list prevents surprises at closing. We walk through all anticipated costs in our initial complimentary market analysis.
Ready to sell your
Vancouver home?
Get a complimentary market analysis and find out exactly what your home is worth in today's market.
