Choosing the Right Agent

Now that you've decided to sell, your next important decision is to find the right agent. Things to consider when picking your agent is whether they have strong experience in your local market, their professionalism, how effective their marketing strategy is, and whether they have the resources and time to sell your home. When your home hits the market, there will need to be a lot of time devoted to showings and open houses over the next several weeks, so you want an agent (and possibly their team) who will be available.

When interviewing agents, don't immediately go with the agent with the highest price. Just because they are thinking a higher price, doesn't necessarily mean they have the best strategy or are looking out for your best interest. When you start out too high, you do run the risk of having your property sit on the market for months and can potentially lose out on qualified buyers. Find out why they feel it should be priced that way, what are the comparables in the area, what are the key features that can sell your home and what is their marketing plan.

Deciding on a List Price

Your agent will tour your home, talk to you about the current market trends and provide a "comparable market analysis" (CMA) for recent sales of like-homes in the area. An important factor in setting your initial list price is how quickly you'd like to sell. If you are not in a rush, a competitive list price at or slightly above the comparable properties would be a smart move. Sometimes even listing slightly below market can produce a bidding war especially in this competitive and low-inventory Los Angeles area. It's a delicate balance between pricing it aggressively for top dollar and at the right price that draws serious buyers in. That's where your agent's professional expertise (like me!) comes in. 

Preparing Your Home For Sale

First impressions are most important when you are trying to sell your home. Making your home neutral and appealing to as many people as possible is essential in selling your home and can effect how quickly your home sells and for how much. With your agent's expertise and fresh set of eyes, they can help walk you through your home and suggest areas of improvement to help sell your home for top dollar. Your agent might suggest staging your home or rearranging the layout/furniture to help buyers visualize the space better. In many instances, you simply need to clean, declutter, make minor repairs and remove personalized decor and items. See below for tips on preparing for open houses.

Selling Timeframe & Expectations

There's really no simple answer to when your home will sell. Generally, if your home is competitively priced, it should sell within a few months. There are many contributing factors that can affect your ability to sell quickly such as the location and condition of your home, the current financial climate, the ability of buyers to get financed, and what time of year you plan to sell. Certain times of the year tend to historically be more active than others. In addition, some price points in certain areas can also add more time on the market. It's very important to initially price competitively and correctly so you can drive more qualified buyers to you and get your home sold quickly.

• Declutter and clean, clean, clean!
• Create curb appeal - trim bushes, mow the lawn, plant fresh flowers, and keep the porch and lawn clear of old papers and clutter.
• Fresh flowers inside are always a nice touch too.
• If you have pets, find a safe place for them.
• Turn on all lights preferably warm, flattering light.
• Open windows, shutters, and drapes to brighten up the space.

• Air out any odors ahead of time. Keep scents neutral and not overpowering.
• Remove any valuables and personal items.
• Plan to leave and arrive back home about 30 minutes before and after the scheduled Open House to give extra time in case you have early-birds show up or a prospective buyer needs a little more time to explore.