In Bayview Woods–Steeles, I’ve seen this pattern many times.
A beautiful freehold home comes to market.
The seller feels confident.
But after two weeks… showings slow down.
Then comes the stress.
“What’s wrong?”
“Is the market bad?”
“Should we reduce?”
Most of the time, the issue isn’t the house.
It’s that the first 14 days weren’t maximized.
And in today’s market, the first 14 days carry the most buyer energy you will ever get.
Why the First 14 Days Matter So Much
Serious buyers in our area already have alerts set up.
The moment a new listing appears, they see it.
In those first two weeks:
• Buyers compare it to every active home
• Agents bring their best-qualified clients
• Families discuss it seriously
• Financing conversations happen
After that window, attention drops naturally.
Not because the home is bad.
But because buyers assume:
“If it hasn’t moved yet, maybe something is off.”
Momentum is psychological.
Once it slows, rebuilding it is much harder.
The 14-Day Momentum Checklist
Before listing your home, confirm these five things are fully ready.
Not “almost ready.”
Fully ready.
✓ Pricing Aligned With Current Reality
Not last year’s peak.
Not what a neighbour got two years ago.
Only what similar homes have sold for in the past 60–90 days.
In Bayview Woods–Steeles, even small overpricing (3–5%) can remove you from buyer shortlists.
Buyers don’t argue anymore.
They move on.
✓ Decluttered Properly
This does not mean renovating.
It means:
• Removing excess furniture
• Clearing countertops
• Simplifying storage areas
• Creating visible space
Buyers in this neighbourhood are often upgrading for space and comfort.
If rooms feel crowded, value feels smaller.
✓ Minor Repairs Done
Loose door handles.
Dripping faucets.
Cracked light switches.
Small paint touch-ups.
These are small things.
But small issues create doubt.
And doubt reduces offer confidence.
Fixing them before listing protects your position.
✓ Flexible Showing Schedule
If showing times are too restricted, serious buyers may skip your home.
Especially in a balanced market, accessibility matters.
If buyers cannot see it easily in the first two weeks, momentum fades.
✓ Professional Photos
Not dramatic.
Not over-edited.
But clear, bright, and accurate.
Online photos create the first impression.
And first impressions determine whether buyers book a showing at all.
Why This Checklist Prevents Regret
Most price reductions happen because early momentum was weak.
And early momentum is usually weak because preparation was incomplete.
Once you reduce price, leverage shifts.
Instead of choosing from strong buyers, you are responding to hesitation.
That’s not the position you want to be in.
In established communities like Bayview Woods–Steeles, homes don’t fail because they lack value.
They struggle when the launch lacks precision.
The first 14 days are not just the beginning of the listing.
They set the tone for the entire sale.
If that window is handled properly, the rest feels steady.
If it’s rushed, the rest becomes reactive.
And in today’s market, steady always wins
Richard Wang 