The real estate market keeps changing, and selling a home isn’t as straightforward as it once was in the GTA. Even as the demand for housing grows and supply remains limited, many potential buyers remain hesitant to make such a vast commitment. 

Derek Lanthier, a longtime resident of Mississauga, discovered this new reality of the current market firsthand when he decided to relocate to Collingwood. 

Mississauga kept getting busier and more crowded by the minute, and Derek knew he was ready for a change. Adventure was calling, and he wanted access to the great outdoors and the active lifestyle that Collingwood offered. But before he could make that dream a reality, he needed to sell his house in this uncertain market. 

Was it a good idea to sell now, or should he wait until conditions improved? With so many unanswered questions, he turned to Damir Strk, the real estate agent who had helped him buy his home over 13 years earlier. 

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A Long Track Record of Success

Choosing a real estate agent to represent you has always been one of the most challenging aspects of a transaction, either when buying or selling. With so many to choose from in the GTA, it can be hard to narrow it down to someone you trust. Luckily for Derek, he had worked with Damir before and was thrilled with the outcome when he made his purchase all those years ago.

“Damir was everything I could ever hope for in a real estate agent,” Derek said. “He was professional, detail-oriented, and direct. He guided me through every step, and he kept all of his promises. All in all, it was a great experience during a stressful time.”

In Derek’s case, choosing a Realtor® was a box he could already check off with confidence. Then, it was on to the more practical aspects of selling his house in the GTA.

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The Challenges of a Shifting Market

By the time Derek decided to list his home in the first half of 2023, the real estate market was in the midst of a slowdown due to rising interest rates. Inflation was also a concern for many people, and potential buyers were taking their time or putting their plans on hold altogether. 

In spite of all of this, results were critical for Derek to be able to afford to realize his dream of relocating to Collingwood. And once again, Damir Strk stepped up in a big way. 

“The final decisions were always up to me, but Damir provided expert guidance and up-to-the-minute information I needed to stay on track. Best of all, he never, ever over-promised anything. And that’s so important because you have to have realistic expectations when it comes to how much you will earn selling your home,” Derek said.

Navigating the Unexpected

When Derek first listed his house, he already knew that he might be facing some challenges. With Damir’s help, he weighed the pros and cons, and he knew what advantages he still had even though the market had slowed down. Little did he know that even more obstacles were on the way. 

As soon as his house went up for sale, more listings came on the market in the same area. That meant more competition from other sellers in a market where buyers were already hesitant. It also meant a change in approach was needed. 

Together, Damir and Derek reexamined every aspect of their strategy to determine what they could do to maximize the value of the sale, even in these tough circumstances. The listing price, the marketing, the steps in preparing the home all went under the microscope. 

“Damir was always realistic and transparent, but his expectations for himself were impeccably high,” Derek said. “I kept a clean house for the most part, but Damir took the presentation to a whole new level, with the cleaning, painting and staging. Plus, he negotiates and communicates better than anyone I’ve ever met. He just refuses to settle for less.”

“I really appreciated Damir’s care and attention to detail because I was stressed about the finances involved in my relocation. I was in a position where I couldn’t afford to leave anything on the table.”

Do you have questions about selling a house in an unpredictable market? The resources below can help you achieve the best possible results:

A Network You Can Count On

That sudden market shift in the middle of the transaction was the hardest part of the sale. Through it all, Damir reassured Derek that they would get to where they needed to be so he could comfortably purchase his new home in Collingwood. And they did.

Derek told us, “Damir gets these outstanding results partly because of the professional network he has cultivated over the years. He’s been consistently doing business in the GTA for so long and with such a high degree of professionalism that he has positive relationships with everyone.” 

“Through Damir, I had instant access to everything I needed to sell my home in a tough market: photographers, stagers, mortgage brokers, lawyers, you name it. There were just so many resources available to me that I wouldn’t have even thought of.” 

In spite of everything the market threw at him, Derek sold his home successfully with Damir’s help, at a price that allowed him to make the positive change he wanted. Today, Derek is enjoying his dream lifestyle in Collingwood, where every season offers a brand new adventure.

Are you thinking of relocating to or from the GTA? We would love to help you like we helped Derek Lanthier. Reach out today at 416-884-7925 or damir@damirstrk.com for more information or to get started.