Getting your home ready to sell
These are some of the basic tasks that you must complete before listing your home.
Decluttering
- Clear away any tools, equipment, and debris from the driveway and front yard.
- Put away the dishes and cutlery.
- Put bulky furniture, private collections, memorabilia, travel souvenirs, family photos, and personal artwork in private storage.
Making repairs
- Fix leaking faucets and pipes.
- Replace cracked, broken, and discolored tiles.
- Replace broken or discolored window panes.
- Make sure that all hardware, such as doorknobs, drawer pulls, locks, and hinges, are working properly.
Home staging
- Stick to a neutral palette if you plan to repaint your interiors.
- Come up with a theme to tie all design elements together.
- Make sure that the purpose/function of the kitchen, dining room, living room, and recreation area is distinct. If your kids like to play in the living room, clear the area of toys and children’s furniture. If you like to catch up on work in the dining room, haul away your laptop, printer, and related items.
- Bring in fresh flowers, linens, and curtains.
- Curate your prized art; choose only one or two to hang on your walls or sit on your console. Put the quirkier pieces as well as the rest in storage.
- Neutralize food, pet, and garbage odors.
- Set the mood by drawing the curtains, playing soft music in the background, and scenting up the rooms with candles and diffusers.
Boosting curb appeal
- Trim the lawn, trees, and shrubbery.
- Make sure that the roofs, gutters, and passageways are free of obstructions.
- Repaint your front door, purchase new door handles and welcome mats, and amp up the welcoming vibe by adding potted plants by the doorway.
- Give the exterior walls and main gate a fresh coat of paint as well.
- Replace cracked tiles and stepping stones.
Working with a real estate agent
Your home is a cherished asset that should go to a deserving buyer. The right real estate agent understands this and strives to find qualified buyers for your home.
When looking for a seller’s representative, make sure that the individual 1) took 135 hours’ worth of college-level real estate courses, 2) passed fingerprinting and a background check, and 3) holds a California Salesperson License, which is acquired through a licensure exam.
Keep in mind that the high end of the real estate market requires a specific set of skills from your agent, so find someone who is experienced in luxury homes and international deals.
When targeting international buyers, you must enlist the services of a multilingual agent.
Stephen Haw is a luxury real estate expert who specializes in international deals and speaks English and Chinese and Taiwanese dialects.
Pricing your home
Pricing your home accurately is the key to a quick and profitable sale. Even though house prices in California are higher than average, it is generally not advisable to overprice your home.
Instead, let your agent determine the fair market value of the property by conducting a thorough analysis of the market and making an outline of the home’s strongest and most unique features.
Aside from the prevailing market, there are several factors that contribute to the price of a luxury home, including:
- Location
- Craftsmanship
- Provenance
- Views
- Features
- Furniture and artwork to be included in the sale
House prices in California are typically high because of the economic opportunities offered by the state and the overall desirability of its most iconic cities and neighborhoods. The South Bay cities of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach are sought for their seaside setting, while the gated communities of Rancho Palos Verdes are in demand because of their exclusivity.
Marketing your home
Now that you’re ready to sell your home, you must give it exposure in order to attract high offers. To make your home stand out from other California real estate listings, you need to invest in high-end marketing collateral, such as photos, videos, and copy.
It is unusual for luxury real estate agents to conduct open houses. In most cases, they arrange private viewings to safeguard your privacy and belongings.
They may also rely on their professional network to find qualified buyers for sale. They do this by reaching out to high profile individuals who have the means and the inclination to purchase luxury real estate in California.
The Stephen Haw Group specializes in luxury real estate and international deals in Rancho Palos Verdes and the South Bay cities. Contact them today at 310.503.9886 and skh8828(at)gmail(dotted)com to sell your home in California.