Sell Your Surrey or Langley Home with Alex Dunbar at REAL Broker

By Alex Dunbar, REALTOR, REAL Broker (Client First Collective). Licensed since March 2018. Last updated 2026-05-07.

Step 1: Get a real CMA, not a Zillow estimate

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a written valuation built from the last 90 days of comparable sales in your specific neighbourhood. It accounts for square footage, age, lot, view, finishes, and current absorption rate. Online estimators (HomeValue, Zillow, redfin) miss 10 to 30% in either direction in the Fraser Valley because they cannot see your interior, your strata, or which comparables have just sold. A licensed REALTOR runs the CMA for free as part of the listing consultation.

Step 2: Invest in pre-list prep (the highest-ROI work)

The single biggest mistake Surrey and Langley sellers make is listing too fast. Two weekends of prep typically returns 3 to 8% more on the sale price.

• Declutter: remove 30 to 50% of visible items. Every flat surface should have 0 to 2 things on it.
• Touch-up paint: baseboards, doors, walls. Neutral tones only. Budget $400 to $1,200 DIY, $2,500 to $5,000 hired.
• Deep clean: windows, grout, baseboards, oven, fridge interiors, garage. Budget $400 to $700 hired.
• Staging: partial staging (rented accent pieces) for vacant or oddly-laid-out homes adds 2 to 5%. Budget $1,500 to $4,000.
• Photos: hire a real estate photographer. $250 to $500 is the cheapest sales lever in the entire process.

Step 3: Price right (the second biggest mistake)

The sweet spot in Fraser Valley sellers' markets is to price slightly below recent comps to drive multiple offers. In balanced or buyer's markets, price within 1% of true value. Overpriced listings sit, attract no showings in week 1, then chase the market down with a stigma of "what is wrong with that one." A correctly priced home sells in 18 to 35 days. An overpriced home averages 75+ days and closes 3 to 8% below where it should have.

Step 4: Time the launch

Best Fraser Valley listing launch windows: late February to mid May, and mid August to mid October. Avoid mid-December through mid-January unless circumstances force it. List on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning to maximize portal exposure into the weekend, and run your first open house on Saturday between 1pm and 3pm.

Step 5: Review and negotiate offers

A well-prepared listing typically gets its first offer in 3 to 10 days. Review every offer on price, deposit, subjects, and completion date. Subjects to scrutinize: financing length, inspection scope, strata document review (for strata properties), and any "subject to sale of buyer's home" clause. Counter on weak terms, not just price. A clean offer at $20,000 less can beat a higher offer with 14 days of subjects.

Step 6: Close cleanly

After subjects are removed, the deal is firm. Your REALTOR coordinates with the buyer's agent, the lawyers or notaries, the lender, and the strata management company (if applicable). Standard completion is 30 to 45 days after offer acceptance. Possession typically follows 1 to 7 days later. You hand over keys and the file is closed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to sell a home in Surrey or Langley?

Total seller cost in BC typically runs 5 to 7% of sale price. Note that real estate commissions are negotiable, not standard. Other costs: legal or notary fees ($1,000 to $1,500), mortgage discharge fee if applicable ($300), and any prep costs you choose (paint, staging, cleaning).

How long does it take to sell a Fraser Valley home?

From listing to firm sale: a correctly priced and well-prepared home sells in 18 to 35 days on average. Add 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to completion. Total timeline from "list" to "keys handed over" is roughly 50 to 80 days.

Should I get a pre-listing inspection?

For homes built before 1995, yes. A $500 to $700 pre-listing inspection lets you fix or disclose major items proactively, prevents deal-killing surprises during the buyer's inspection, and supports your asking price. Skip it for newer townhomes and condos in good repair.

What is the best time of year to sell in Surrey or Langley?

Late February through mid May (spring market) and mid August through mid October (fall market) deliver the most active buyer pools. Spring usually sees the highest sale prices, fall sees the most serious buyers. Avoid mid December to mid January.

Can I sell my home without a REALTOR in BC?

You can list as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), but you lose access to MLS (the multiple listing service that 90% of Fraser Valley buyers search), professional marketing, the buyer-agent network, contract drafting, and negotiation expertise. CREA and FVREB data consistently show FSBOs sell for less and take longer than REALTOR-listed homes in this market.

Ready to list?

I run a free 60-minute listing consultation: in-home walkthrough, written CMA, marketing plan, and timeline. No pressure to sign.

alex@realestatehelp.com , 604-314-5418