If you’re thinking about selling your home in California, then you’re in for a treat. The Golden State is known for its incredible weather, beautiful scenery, and endless opportunities. No matter what your reason is for selling, you’re sure to find a buyer who’s willing to pay top dollar for your home.
Before you put your home on the market, though, there are a few important things you need to do first. In this article, we’ll walk you through the 6 most important questions you need to ask before selling your home in California.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to get the best possible price for your home.
You can instantly get a detailed home price estimate and see what your neighbors are selling their homes for here.
What’s Your Home’s Value?
When it comes to selling your home in California, the most important thing you need to figure out is its value. This is important for two reasons – You want to make sure you ask for a fair price for your home, and you want to make sure you get top dollar for your investment.
To figure out how much your home is worth, your best bet is to hire an appraiser. An appraiser will take into account the location, condition, and size of your home, as well as any other important factors.
They’ll also research comparable sales in your area and can give you an accurate estimate of your home’s value. Another option is to research similar homes for sale in your area.
This will give you a good indication as to what buyers are currently willing to pay for similar homes. However, this is only a rough estimate, and it won’t take into account any special features of your home.
You can also instantly get a detailed home price estimate and also see what your neighbors are selling their homes for.
How Long Will It Take to Sell My Home?
Once you have an idea of your home’s value, the next step is to figure out how long it will take you to sell your home. This is an important factor to consider, as the longer it takes to sell your home, the more money will be tied up in the process.
The best way to figure out how long it will take is to talk to experienced real estate agents in your area. They can tell you the average sale time for homes in your area, as well as any insights they have into current trends.
Another option is to research the sale times of similar homes in your area. This won’t give you an exact estimate of your own sale time, but it will give you an indication as to how quickly homes in your area move.
How Much Are the Selling Costs?
Before you even list your home for sale, you need to know how much it’s going to cost you to do so. Selling a home in California isn’t cheap, so it’s important to figure out how much you’ll need to put aside for fees and taxes.
The most important cost you need to factor in is the commission for your real estate agent. Most agents will charge a percentage of the sale price, which is typically between 5% and 7%. Additionally, you may also need to pay for odd jobs like photography, inspections, and so on.
You should also remember to factor in all the taxes and fees associated with selling your home. For example, you might need to pay a transfer tax, capital gains tax, and other miscellaneous fees.
How Do I Find the Right Real Estate Agent?
Once you’ve figured out the costs associated with selling your home, the next step is to find the right real estate agent. This is an important decision, as by choosing the right agent, you can make the entire process easier and more efficient. The best way to find the right agent is to do your research.
Ask friends and family who have recently sold a home in California, and read online reviews of different agents in your area. Once you’ve narrowed your search, contact a few agents and schedule an interview.
When interviewing potential agents, it’s important to ask them questions about their experience, commission rates, and marketing strategies. You should also ask for references so that you can get a better understanding of how they’ve worked with past clients.
Most importantly, make sure that your agent is professional and knowledgeable about the neighborhood that you are selling in.
What Do I Need to Do to Prepare My Home for Sale?
Once you’ve found the right real estate agent, it’s time to start preparing your home for sale. This means making any necessary repairs, refreshing the paint, and decluttering your space.
Additionally, you may want to hire a professional photographer to capture the best possible shots of your home. It’s also important to spruce up the grounds around your home.
Planting flowers, mowing the lawn, and Trimming back 10th trees are all great ways to make your home look its best. Finally, make sure to add warmth by adding touches like fresh towels, flowers, and scented candles.
You may choose to sell your home "as is", which has pros and cons, or you can take advantage of our First Impressions Concierge service, where you can upgrade your home now and pay for it later.
What’s the Market Like in My Neighborhood?
Before putting your home on the market, it’s important to understand what the market is like in your neighborhood. This is essential information to have, as it will help you determine a realistic asking price for your home.
To research the market, start by looking at recent home sales in your area. Pay attention to how long it took homes to sell and how much of the asking price they were able to obtain. Additionally, it’s a good idea to research the current trends in your area.
You should also talk to your real estate agent about the current market. They should be able to give you an overview of the current market conditions and how they impact your potential buyers.
For detailed info on local real estate markets in Southern California, tap here or click the picture below.
We Can Help You Make The Move
Selling your home in California doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By asking yourself the 6 questions above, you’ll have a better understanding of what you need to do to get the best possible price for your home.
First Team has 45 years of excellence and experience in Southern California Real Estate. When you list your home with us, you’re getting an expert in your area that will execute a winning sales strategy for your home sale to ensure that you don’t leave money on the table.
When selling your home, it's important that you know the right questions to ask your realtor.
Fill out the form below for our guide that will walk you through 15 critical questions to ask a realtor when selling your home.