Selling a home you've owned for 20 years is a big decision. But when that property also represents a significant part of your retirement plan, the stakes become considerably higher. That was the situation for a Saskatoon couple I recently helped sell their longtime family home. They weren't simply selling a house; they were making an important financial decision that would influence the next chapter of their lives. Naturally, they wanted to maximize their sale proceeds, but they were also anxious about the process, the possibility of making a costly mistake and whether their home would sell for what they needed.
Getting the Listing Price Right
As a Saskatoon REALTOR® with more than 20 years of experience, I've learned that one of the most important decisions a seller makes happens before their property ever reaches the market: determining the right asking price. In this case, I spent considerable time analyzing recent comparable sales, competing listings, neighbourhood trends and current buyer demand to establish what the market would realistically support. My research suggested their home was worth more than they initially believed. Although they were understandably cautious about pricing too high, I explained the data behind my recommendation and why I believed we could achieve that price.
They trusted the research and we moved forward with a listing strategy built around timing, preparation, professional presentation and targeted marketing. Rather than simply putting the home on MLS and hoping for the best, we focused on showcasing the property's features and positioning it appropriately for the buyers most likely to appreciate its value.
Navigating the Stress of Selling a Longtime Home
For these homeowners, the emotional side of the transaction was every bit as important as the financial outcome. After two decades in the same property, there were plenty of questions, concerns and uncertainties throughout the process. They wanted to understand each decision, what could happen next and how different scenarios might affect their eventual sale proceeds.
A significant part of my role was providing clear communication, answering questions and helping them work through each stage of the transaction without feeling pressured or rushed. When an offer arrived, their concerns shifted toward negotiations, conditions and the possibility that the sale might not close. We carefully reviewed the offer, discussed the implications of the various terms and worked through the negotiation process together.
This is where experience and an understanding of the Saskatoon real estate market can make a meaningful difference. Selling a home isn't always just about the price written on an offer. Understanding buyer motivation, negotiating conditions, recognizing potential risks and knowing how to respond can be just as important to achieving a successful sale.
The Result: A Higher Sale Price, Faster Sale and Less Stress
Ultimately, their willingness to follow the market research, pricing recommendations and preparation strategy paid off. Their Saskatoon home sold faster than they expected and for a higher price than they had anticipated. Just as importantly, they felt supported throughout a transaction that initially caused them considerable anxiety.
For me, this sale reinforced something I've believed throughout my real estate career: the value of an experienced REALTOR® isn't measured only by the final sale price. It's also reflected in the advice provided before listing, the decisions made during negotiations and the confidence clients feel throughout the process.
What the Sellers Said About Working With Scott Ziegler
We really appreciated Scott working with us in the sale of our house. His careful market research set the price higher than we would have but turned out to be a price that matched the market exactly. Just in that first day, he had already paid for his commission. He did a great job of describing and showcasing the house for the listing. Then his knowledge of the various back and forth features of the negotiation and sale process also was invaluable as we did not have the same ability he did to read the subtext of the various back and forth offers. Trusting his skill in the decision of how to respond really eliminated the stress in those decisions. In the end, Scott's experience, skill and assistance resulted in a sale that was far less stressful than we expected, quicker than we expected and at a higher sale price than we had expected.
— Google Review
Thinking About Selling Your Home in Saskatoon?
Whether you're preparing for retirement, downsizing, relocating or simply considering selling a home you've owned for many years, understanding what your property is worth and how to position it in today's Saskatoon real estate market is an important first step.
I'm Scott Ziegler, a REALTOR® with Boyes Group Realty in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. With more than 20 years of local real estate experience and nearly 1,000 families served, I help homeowners make informed decisions about pricing, preparing, marketing and negotiating the sale of their properties.
If you're thinking about selling your Saskatoon home, contact me. We can review your property's current market value, discuss your timeline and develop a selling strategy that fits your goals.
