Before we list

Tell me what I can’t see.

When I walk your home I’ll be taking notes and photographs as I go — including close-ups of the serial numbers and data plates on the furnace, the water heater, the appliances. That’s how I build an accurate information sheet for buyers and their agents.

One of the first things a buyer asks is how old the mechanicals are. So don’t worry if you have no idea when something was installed — I can usually work the year out from the serial number, and where I can’t, it goes to buyers marked as an estimate rather than a guess.

Which leaves this: the part only you know. What you’ve put into the house, what you’d want a buyer told, what they’d never pick up walking through.

About five minutes. Skip anything you’re unsure about — “not sure” is a perfectly good answer.

First, so I know who I’m talking to.

All four, if you can.

Your name Property address

Phone Email

Name and address, and then we’re moving.

When would you like to be on the market?

A rough date is fine. It changes what we do first.

Ideal listing date Where are you headed after?

Do you have a number in mind?

No wrong answer — I’ll bring the comparables. I just want to know what you’re hoping for.

Price you have in mind

What should buyers know that they’d never pick up on a tour?

The things behind the walls and under the floors. The attic was re-insulated. There’s drain tile in the basement. The addition has its own zone. Anything you paid for that doesn’t show.

Anything you’d want called out?

Tap what applies. These end up in front of buyers and their agents.

What did I miss?

The list above is generic — your house isn’t. Anything you added, replaced, upgraded or built that isn’t up there, put it here. Small things count: the extra outlet in the garage, the pull-down attic stairs, the second water heater, the built-in dog wash.

A couple of quick ones about those.

Only about what you tapped. Skip anything you don’t remember — “not sure” is a perfectly good answer and I’d rather have a blank than a guess.

The finished basement

Roughly when was it finished? Was the work permitted? Anything else about it?

The shed / outbuilding

Year it went up, if you know Is power or water run to it? Anything else about it?

The generator

Year installed Make, if you know it Does it run the whole house or part? Anything else about it?

The solar

Year installed Owned, financed or leased? Anything else about it?

The EV charger

What kind? Make, if you know it Anything else about it?

The pool / hot tub

Year it went in Which is it? Heated? Anything a buyer should know? Anything else about it?

The sprinkler system

Year installed How many zones, if you know? Anything else about it?

Water treatment

Year installed Make Owned or rented? Anything else about it?

The security system

Which company? Monitored? Does the equipment stay with the house? Anything else about it?

The fireplace

Gas or wood? Last time it was serviced or swept? Anything else about it?

The heated floors

Which rooms? Anything else about it?

What will you miss most about living here?

Sellers always answer this better than any listing description I could write. The morning light in the kitchen. The neighbours. The walk to the train.

The roof — any idea how old?

This is the one thing I can’t read off a sticker, and it’s the first thing buyers ask.

It’s been replacedI’ll tell you roughly when Original to the house Honestly, no ideaThat’s fine — I’ll estimate it

Roughly what year?

Anything else major get done?

Only the things with no sticker to scan. Tap any that apply and add a year if you remember.

Anything not on that list?

Any other work that got done — a sump pump, a new furnace, a tree taken down, the chimney relined, the garage floor sealed. Rough dates if you have them, no dates if you don’t.

A little more on those.

Only what you tapped. Year and brand if you know them — “not sure” is fine and I would rather have a blank than a guess.

The windows

Year replaced Brand, if you know it Which ones got done? Anything else about it?

The siding

Year What is it? All the way around, or part? Anything else about it?

The driveway

Year What is it? Replaced, or resurfaced and sealed? Anything else about it?

The septic

When was it last pumped or serviced? Who services it? How often does it get done? Anything else about it?

The foundation work

Year What was done? Who did it? Is there a warranty, and does it transfer? Anything else about it?

The electrical panel

Year How many amps? Who did the work? Anything else about it?

The plumbing work

Year What was done? Who did it? Anything else about it?

The deck / patio

Year What is it made of? Was it permitted? Anything else about it?

The kitchen remodel

Year How far did it go? Anything a buyer should know? Anything else about it?

The bathroom remodel

Year Which ones? How far did it go? Anything else about it?

Anything that hasn’t worked right?

Better it comes from you now than from an inspector later. A slow drain, a window that sticks, the outlet nobody uses — none of it is a dealbreaker, and all of it is easier handled early.

Is there an HOA or association?

If not, we skip a whole stack of questions.

Yes NoGood — next question skips ahead Not sure

What do the dues run?

And what they cover — buyers price this in.

Monthly assessment What does it cover?

Any special assessment?

Current or one that’s been voted on for later.

Yes, there is one No Not sure

How much, and are you paying it at closing?

What can residents use?

Amenities sell — but only if a buyer can actually see them.

How would someone get in to see them?

Buyers tour with their own agent, not with me. If I have the access instructions in hand before a showing, I can pass them to the buyer’s agent so they can walk a buyer through the clubhouse and the pool — rather than pointing at them from the parking lot and hoping.

Who arranges access?

Can a buyer’s agent show them?

How much do you want to take on before we list?

There’s no wrong answer here. I’d rather send you a short list you’ll actually do than a long one that sits on the counter.

I’d rather not do muchJust tell me what really matters I’ll do some thingsPoint me at what moves the needle I want it stunningGive me the whole list, I’m going for it

And who’s doing that work?

If you’d like names, I have people I trust. If you’d rather do it yourself, that’s completely fine — I won’t push.

We’ll handle it ourselves Maybe some of eachSend names, no obligation We’d like people to helpSend me your recommendations

Anything else at all?

Features, fees, the neighbourhood, the school, the neighbours, the parking, the farmers market on Saturdays — anything you’d want the next owner to know. Take as much room as you like.

✓

That’s everything.

Thank you — this genuinely makes the listing better. I’ll have it in front of me when I walk the house.