Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing your home for sale involves much more than putting it on the market. From coordinating cleaning, staging and professional photography to marketing your home and managing showings, there are many moving parts behind a successful sale.

At The West Team, we take care of those details so you can focus on what’s next. This guide answers the questions we hear most often and explains what you can expect throughout the selling process.

Listing Agreement

What does the listing agreement cover?

The listing agreement outlines the terms of our relationship and gives The West Team permission to market your property for sale. It explains each party’s responsibilities, the listing period, commission, and any services included with your listing.

Before you sign, your REALTOR® will review the agreement with you, answer your questions, and make sure you understand every section. We believe informed clients make confident decisions, so we encourage you to ask as many questions as you’d like.

Every home is unique, which is why we tailor our services to your property’s needs. In most cases, your listing includes a The West Team Home Preparation Package designed to help your home make a strong first impression before it reaches the market.

Depending on your property, this may include services such as:

  • Professional pre-listing cleaning
  • Staging consultation and staging
  • Professional photography
  • Videography
  • Drone photography (where appropriate)
  • Floor plans and measurements
  • A customized marketing plan
  • MLS® listing and exposure on Realtor.ca and other real estate websites
  • Showing coordination and ongoing communication throughout the listing process

Your REALTOR® will review the services included with your listing before any work begins and explain the marketing strategy recommended for your home.

Note: The services provided may vary depending on the property and the agreed listing strategy.

Our goal is to make preparing your home as simple as possible, and many services are included as part of our standard listing package. However, some services fall outside the scope of our standard offering and, if requested or approved by you, will be quoted in advance and paid directly by the homeowner unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Examples may include:

  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Interior or exterior painting
  • Landscaping
  • Deep cleaning
  • Carpet or upholstery cleaning
  • Window cleaning
  • Move-out cleaning
  • Junk removal
  • Specialty contractor services
  • Long-term staging rental beyond the complimentary staging period

If we believe an additional service would significantly improve your home’s presentation or marketability, we’ll discuss the recommendation with you before any work is arranged.

We understand that circumstances can change. If you have concerns about your listing or are considering cancelling the agreement, we encourage you to speak with your REALTOR® as soon as possible.

A listing agreement is a legal contract between you and the brokerage. If you wish to end the agreement before its expiry date, we’ll review your situation with you and discuss the available options. Our goal is always to find a fair and reasonable solution while providing the best possible client experience.

We understand that life can take unexpected turns, and sometimes homeowners decide not to move forward with selling. If that happens, please let us know as soon as possible so we can discuss the next steps together.

If professional services have already been arranged or completed on your behalf, you may be responsible for reimbursing the actual third-party costs incurred. These may include services such as professional photography, videography, floor plans, home measurements, cleaning, staging, printed brochures, inspections, or advertising.

Our goal is never to charge unnecessary fees. We simply ask to recover the actual costs we’ve paid to third-party providers on your behalf if you choose to cancel the listing after those services have been completed. Every situation is unique, and we’ll always work with you to find a fair and reasonable solution.

 

Preparing Your Home

Before your home goes on the market, our goal is to present it at its very best. Every home is different, which is why we create a personalized preparation plan based on your property’s condition, features, and target buyers.

As part of The West Team Home Preparation Package, we’ll coordinate the professionals, schedule the appointments, and prepare a timeline so everything runs smoothly. Depending on your home, this may include cleaning, staging, professional photography, videography, floor plans, and other services designed to help your home make an outstanding first impression.

What is The West Team Home Preparation Package?

Preparing a home for sale involves many moving parts. Rather than asking you to coordinate multiple vendors yourself, we manage the entire process from start to finish.

Depending on your home’s needs, your Home Preparation Package may include:

  • Professional pre-listing cleaning
  • Staging consultation
  • Professional staging
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Drone photography (where appropriate)
  • Floor plans and home measurements
  • Coordination of trusted local vendors
  • A personalized preparation timeline

Every home is different, so the services included may vary depending on your property and listing strategy. Your REALTOR® will review the recommended preparation plan with you before any work begins.

Every home has unique strengths, and a staging consultation helps us showcase those strengths to potential buyers.

During the consultation, your REALTOR® and our professional stager will walk through your home to identify simple improvements that can enhance its presentation. These recommendations may include decluttering, furniture placement, minor repairs, or cosmetic touch-ups that help buyers focus on your home’s best features.

The consultation also allows us to determine the most appropriate staging package and prepare everything needed before media day.

You’ll receive practical recommendations tailored to your home. While completing every recommendation is your choice, homes that are thoughtfully prepared often photograph better, attract more interest, and create a stronger first impression with buyers.

Preparation day is when your home comes together for its debut on the market.

We’ll coordinate each vendor according to a personalized timeline, which often allows multiple services to be completed on the same day. In most cases, preparation includes cleaning, staging, and professional photography, although some homes may require additional services or multiple visits.

Our goal is to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible while ensuring your home is presented at its very best.

If weather conditions or additional work (such as painting, carpet installation, or landscaping) affect the schedule, we’ll keep you informed and adjust the timeline as needed.

To help our vendors work efficiently and minimize the time required to prepare your home, we recommend that homeowners not be present during cleaning, staging, and photography whenever possible.

We’ll provide you with a detailed timeline in advance so you know exactly when each service is scheduled.

If you choose to remain at home during the preparation day, please expect several vendors to be working simultaneously throughout the property.

In most cases, preparation takes one full day.

To make the process as efficient as possible, we coordinate multiple services throughout the day, including cleaning, staging, photography, videography, and other media, when applicable. While these services may overlap, we’ll provide you with a schedule in advance so you know what to expect.

We recommend planning to be away from your home for most of the day so our team can work efficiently and prepare your home for the market.

Some homes may require additional preparation before the preparation day, such as repairs, painting, landscaping, or other specialty services. If that’s the case, your REALTOR® will discuss the recommended timeline with you before any work begins.

No. The recommendations are exactly that: recommendations.

Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about which improvements will have the greatest impact on your home’s presentation and appeal to buyers.

You’re always in control of which recommendations you choose to complete. However, it’s important to understand that preparing your home well can influence buyers’ first impressions and, ultimately, your home’s marketability.

 

Cleaning

Professional cleaning is one of the simplest ways to make a strong first impression. A clean home not only photographs better, but also helps buyers focus on your home’s features rather than its upkeep.

As part of The West Team Home Preparation Package, many of our listings include a complimentary pre-listing cleaning to help your home look its very best before professional photography and showings.

What’s included in the complimentary pre-listing cleaning?

Our complimentary pre-listing cleaning focuses on the areas that have the greatest impact on buyers and professional photography. The goal is to ensure your home is clean, fresh, and ready to make a great first impression.

The standard pre-listing cleaning typically includes:

  • Vacuuming and mopping floors
  • Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms
  • Cleaning kitchen countertops, sinks, faucets, and appliance exteriors
  • Dusting furniture, shelves, baseboards, and windowsills
  • Cleaning mirrors and interior glass surfaces
  • Wiping frequently touched surfaces, such as light switches, door handles, and railings

If we believe additional cleaning would significantly improve your home’s presentation, we’ll discuss our recommendations with you before arranging any additional services.

Our standard pre-listing cleaning is designed to prepare your home for professional photography and showings. Some specialty or deep-cleaning services are not included.

Examples include:

  • Interior appliance cleaning
  • Window tracks and screens
  • Deep carpet cleaning
  • Paint or stain removal
  • Heavy-duty or post-renovation cleaning
  • Move-out cleaning

If your home would benefit from any of these services, we’re happy to coordinate them for you. Any additional work will be quoted and approved before it is scheduled.

Absolutely.

If your home requires services beyond the standard pre-listing cleaning, we’ll be happy to coordinate them for you through our network of trusted local professionals.

Additional services may include:

  • Deep cleaning
  • Move-out cleaning
  • Carpet cleaning
  • Interior window cleaning
  • Interior appliance cleaning
  • Post-renovation cleaning

We’ll discuss the options with you in advance and obtain your approval before arranging any additional work.

Every home is different.

During the staging consultation and preparation planning, we’ll assess your home’s condition and recommend the level of cleaning that will have the greatest impact on its presentation.

Many homes only require our standard pre-listing cleaning, while others may benefit from additional services. Our recommendations are always based on helping your home make the best possible first impression, not on adding unnecessary work or expense.

We recommend putting away personal belongings, removing clutter from countertops and floors, and securing valuables before the cleaning team arrives. This allows the cleaners to focus on the home itself and work as efficiently as possible.

Your REALTOR® or Listing Coordinator will let you know if there are any additional preparations specific to your home.

Not necessarily. The complimentary pre-listing cleaning prepares your home for photography and the launch of your listing. During the showing period, we recommend maintaining the same level of cleanliness using the Photo Day Checklist as a guide.

If your listing remains active for an extended period or your home experiences heavy traffic, we’re happy to help arrange additional cleaning services if needed.

 

Staging

Staging helps buyers see the full potential of your home. By creating a clean, welcoming, and well-balanced space, staging highlights your home’s best features and allows buyers to picture themselves living there.

As part of The West Team Home Preparation Package, we’ll recommend the level of staging that’s most appropriate for your home and coordinate the process from start to finish.

Why is staging important?

Staging is about much more than decorating a home.

It includes decluttering, depersonalizing, optimizing furniture placement, and enhancing each room so it looks its best both in person and in professional photography.

Most buyers form an opinion within moments of entering a home, or even before they step inside by viewing the online photos. A well-staged home creates a stronger first impression, photographs beautifully, and helps buyers focus on the home’s features rather than its contents.

While every property is different, we’ve consistently found that professionally prepared homes generate more buyer interest and often achieve stronger sale results.

Not necessarily. Every home is unique, and the level of staging depends on the property’s condition, furnishings, and target buyer.

Some homes only need minor adjustments, while others benefit from partial or full staging. During the staging consultation, we’ll recommend the approach that we believe will have the greatest impact on your home’s presentation.

Our goal is never to add unnecessary services, it’s to help your home make the strongest possible first impression.

During the consultation, your REALTOR® and our professional stager will walk through your home and create a personalized preparation plan.

Recommendations may include:

  • Decluttering and depersonalizing
  • Rearranging existing furniture
  • Removing or adding décor
  • Improving room flow and functionality
  • Highlighting your home’s best architectural features

If additional staging items are recommended, we’ll explain why and coordinate everything on your behalf.

Our staging process consists of three steps:

1. Staging consultation

Our professional stager will tour your home and prepare a personalized report with recommendations to help you get your home market-ready. These recommendations may include decluttering, removing personal photos, rearranging furniture, or completing minor cosmetic improvements.

The consultation also helps your REALTOR® determine the level of staging that’s appropriate for your home.

2. Implementation of the staging plan

The recommendations that are the homeowner’s responsibility should be completed before the preparation day.

On the preparation day, our stager will implement the agreed staging plan. This may include rearranging furniture, adding décor or furnishings, and preparing the home for professional photography.

3. Removal of staging items

Complimentary staging is provided for up to three months or until the property is sold, whichever comes first. When it’s time to remove the staging items, our stager will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment.

Every home is different, so we tailor the staging plan to your property’s condition, layout, and target buyer.

For example:

  • Recently renovated and decorated homes may only need minor adjustments, such as removing personal items and filling empty spaces with carefully selected décor.
  • Occupied homes that would benefit from a refreshed look often receive a detailed consultation report, followed by the addition of decorative accessories and styling pieces from The West Team’s staging inventory.
  • Some homes may benefit from bringing in selected furniture pieces to complement or temporarily replace existing furnishings.
  • Vacant homes may require a complete staging package using The West Team’s furniture and décor to help buyers understand the scale and function of each room.
  • Tenant-occupied homes are generally not staged to minimize disruption for the tenants, although exceptions may apply.

The West Team provides complimentary staging for up to three months or until your home is sold, whichever comes first.

If staging is required beyond this period, we’ll discuss the available options with you in advance. Any rental fees will be agreed upon before they are incurred.

In our experience, yes.

A well-prepared home often attracts more attention online, creates a stronger first impression during showings, and helps buyers better appreciate the property’s space and potential.

Every sale is unique, and no one can guarantee a particular outcome. However, we’ve consistently found that investing time in preparing a home before it goes on the market gives our clients the best opportunity for success.

Photography and Media

Professional photography is often a buyer’s first impression of your home. Before they schedule a showing, most buyers decide whether they’re interested based on what they see online.

How should I prepare for photo day?

By photo day, your home should be clean, staged, and ready for photography.

We’ll coordinate the entire process and let you know if anything requires your attention before media day. In most cases, this simply involves completing any recommendations from the staging consultation and ensuring personal belongings, pets, and vehicles are ready for the appointment.

We always want your home to be presented at its best.

If weather conditions would significantly affect the quality of the exterior photography or drone footage, we may reschedule those portions of the media appointment. Interior photography can often proceed as planned.

If any changes are required, we’ll coordinate the updated schedule with you as soon as possible.

Absolutely.

Before your listing is published, your REALTOR® will review the marketing materials with you. If you notice a factual error or have a question about a particular image, please let us know.

While the final selection of photographs is based on our marketing strategy and professional recommendations, we always welcome your feedback.

Our goal is to create a listing that generates interest and encourages qualified buyers to book a showing.

While our photographer captures many images of your home, we carefully select the ones that best showcase the property’s features, layout, and overall appeal. Rather than documenting every corner of the home, we create a gallery that tells a compelling story and leaves buyers wanting to see more in person.

Our approach is intentional. We want buyers to be excited about your home online, then experience its full value during a private showing.

 

You bet. We want you to feel good about your home throughout the listing process. Therefore we run all photographs by the homeowner before any online marketing is uploaded.

Marketing and exposure

Once your home is market-ready, we’ll launch a tailored marketing plan designed to maximize its exposure and attract qualified buyers.

Every home is different, so the marketing strategy is customized based on your property, target buyer, and current market conditions. We will review the plan with you before your home goes live.

When will my home go live on the MLS®?

Your personalized preparation timeline will include the planned MLS® launch date.

In most cases, homes are listed on the MLS® approximately two days after media day. This allows our team time to finalize your marketing materials, complete quality checks, and prepare your listing for launch.

Every home is different, so your REALTOR® will confirm the timeline with you before your property goes live.

Your home will be listed on the MLS® and Realtor.ca, ensuring it is visible to REALTORS® and buyers across the region.

In addition, we’ll develop a tailored marketing plan based on your property and target audience. Depending on the strategy, your home may also be promoted through The West Team’s website, Royal LePage’s website, social media, email marketing, open houses, and other marketing initiatives.

Your REALTOR® will review your marketing plan with you before your home is listed.

Not every real estate website displays every MLS® listing.

At The West Team, we create a marketing strategy tailored to each property. Depending on that strategy, your listing may be featured on selected websites and marketing channels that best support your selling goals.

Once your listing is published on the MLS®, it is typically available on Realtor.ca shortly afterward.

Realtor.ca and other websites update their listings according to their own schedules, so it may take some time before your property appears online. These updates are managed by the websites themselves and are outside of our control.

Yes. Social media is a standard component of The West Team’s marketing strategy.

Unless otherwise agreed, your home will be promoted through our social media channels to help maximize its exposure to potential buyers. The type and timing of the posts will depend on your property and the overall marketing plan.

Not every home requires an open house.

Your REALTOR® will recommend the marketing activities that best suit your property. Depending on your home and market conditions, your marketing plan may include public open houses, agent open houses, private showings, or other promotional opportunities.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the listing process.

You’ll receive updates on showings, buyer feedback, and market activity, along with recommendations and guidance as your listing progresses.

Our goal is to ensure you always know how your listing is performing and what the next steps are.

 

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