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Easy guide to selling a home in California

Real estate agent

Are you getting your home ready to sell in California? The home selling process can seem a little overwhelming especially for first-time sellers, but simply taking time to research and know more about this complex process is a great way to increase your chances of getting the best outcome.

In this article, we’ll take you through some of the key steps in the home selling process so you’ll be able to make the best, most-informed decisions.

Take a closer look at your goals

The first thing you need to do is to define your goals. Why do you need or want to sell your home in the first place? And what do you expect to achieve from the sale? You might need to sell because of a job opportunity in another location for example, or you might need a larger home for your growing family.

Whatever your reasons are, write them down along with any pertinent details such as your expected profit and timeline for the sale. It may seem like a simple idea, but it will help you solidify your plan and get a clearer understanding of what you achieve.

Work with an experienced realtor

Selling a home is a complex transaction. There’s plenty at stake, so you need to work with an expert to ensure success. Working with a seasoned real estate professional in your area will help minimize stress and get you the best deal possible for your home.

For home sellers in Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, and other sought-after communities in South Bay, the Stephen Haw Group is the best team to have at your side. Led by Stephen Haw, an award-winning real estate Broker, the team has completed more than 1,000 real estate transactions on behalf of sellers and buyers. You can get in touch with the Stephen Haw Group by visiting this page.

Price your home correctly

Through a comparative market analysis, your real estate agent will be able to maximize the earning potential you get from the transaction. Realtors possess comprehensive data on pending and recent sales, along with information on comparable homes within your neighborhood.

By combining their expertise with data from the comps, your agent will be able to help you set an ideal listing price that will fit with your goals, whether you’re looking to sell fast, for more profit, or somewhere in the middle.

Market your home

While your real estate agent will be in charge of most of the marketing-related tasks, you can help create more buzz for your listing by promoting it on your own.

Never underestimate the power of word of mouth! Spread the word on social media, and ask family and friends in case they might know someone who’s interested. You can also offer a fun reward like event tickets or gift certificates to a local restaurant for anyone who can offer leads to interested buyers.

Staging your home

According to the 2019 Profile of Home Staging from the National Association of Realtors, staging made it easier for 83% of buyers to visualize the property as their future home. In addition to making it look more attractive, this also means that depersonalizing your home will be crucial. It’ll be more difficult for buyers to imagine your home as their own if it’s filled with your personal items.

Remember to also stage your home in a way that can attract buyers in the California market. If you’re in an area that’s a hotspot for retirees for example, then you can do away with staging an extra bedroom as a children’s room.

Fielding offers

Getting an offer doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of your home selling journey. Even if you get several offers that are at your asking price, you aren’t obliged to accept any of them. This will be the beginning of the negotiation process.

Even if a buyer is already dead set on the sales price they’re offering, you have other options that can help you get a better deal, like agreeing to an inspection contingency, fewer repair concessions, and anything else that will be beneficial to you as a seller.

After all kinks have been ironed out, you and the buyer will then sign a purchase agreement.

Need help selling your home in Rancho Palos Verdes and other surrounding communities? Work with our top-performing team of real estate experts from the Stephen Haw Group today! Get in touch with us at 310.503.9886, or email skh8828(at)gmail(dotted)com.