Selling pointers for South Orange County property owners from Jerry Cox, re/max real estate broker for San Clemente, Orange County, Califiornia, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, and nearby communities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Selling Your South Orange County Home Successfully

© Jerry Cox, 1998, 1999

Here's a set of key factors for selling your home successfully. The home-selling process can be complex and sometimes scary. Start with these pointers, and you'll be making important steps toward the successful, low-stress marketing and sale of your property. 

1. Price Your Home "Right"

Of course you want to obtain the highest price possible for your home. To do that, your home needs to be priced right.

If your house is priced too low, people who should be looking at it will be looking at more expensive homes.

If your house is priced too far above its market value, people who should be looking at it will be looking at less expensive, sometimes larger, homes. 

The result of either type of incorrect pricing can increase the time you home is on the market ... and meanwhile you not only are continuing to pay your home loan and interest, property taxes, insurance, homeowner association dues, and other ongoing expenses, but you are also unnecessarily subjecting yourself and family to the stress of trying to keep the property up to "white glove inspection" standards for prospective buyers for a much longer time.

How do you price your home right? Armed with information. Your Realtor® will help you evaluate several factors that you need to consider. Some of the factors that you need to examine include:

How does your home compare with similar homes on the market or that have sold in the last six months or so? Is it larger, smaller, quieter, more accessible, upgraded? Does it have a better view, fewer non-stop barking dogs, better landscaping, larger yard, or more storage?

What is the asking price for these houses? What is the selling price of homes that have sold recently?

Are there many houses in your area on the market to compete with yours right now? (or to bring more visitors?)

Are interest rates favorable?

To request a fast, free, absolutely no-obligation market evaluation of your South Orange County, click HERE.
 

2.  "Showcase" Your Home

Be certain that your home is its "personal best." Use the checklist (click HERE) to be sure that your home really is the home that buyers will want to live in. Make all needed repairs, then be sure the home is clean, orderly, and has that "well-cared-for" look. Very few buyers have the vision that you might want them to have to "see beyond" some problem that you have not corrected.

And then add those special touches ... the small plant near the window, fresh towels in the bathroom, potpourri in the linen closet, a subtle room deodorizer near the shoe storage area in the closet, a fresh litter box for the kitty and yes, if you're home and want to make a very special "homey" presentation, the scent of pie or cookies in the oven or even the fresh smell of clothes drying in the dryer make a very discrete and positive impression!

3. Maximize the Marketing and "Exposure" of your Property

Be sure you and your Realtor® use a wide range of marketing strategies and tools... advertising and open houses are just a beginning. (Actually, only a small percentage of homes are sold as a result of an open house.) More commonly, the contact point for the ultimate buyer arises from a Realtor®'s extensive array of advertising for the property and networking with other agents.

Leading edge marketing now requires extensive exposure on the World Wide Web. Ask your agent to demonstrate for you his or her internet marketing competence and strategies.

Your agent must be easily accessible when calls do come in from potential buyers or their agents, ready to show your home and answer questions. 

4. Let Potential Buyers Who See Your House "Think for Themselves"

Remember when you were the buyer? You wanted to walk through the available homes looking and thinking. You wanted to find out how it might feel to live there. Later, once you determined that this might be the home for you and when you wanted more information from the owners, you asked them.

If your home has some special features that you want to be sure visitors don't miss, make some small cards or labels to place in appropriate locations.
   

5. Distinguish Lookers from Buyers

A qualified buyer is one who is ready, willing, and able to buy your house. Sometimes homeowners who are selling their own property find that many of their callers and visitors are just starting to think about moving. They may be six or more months away from being ready to purchase. They might be "able," but they're not yet ready or willing.

Your Realtor® will help buyers evaluate their needs, wants, and financial capabilities. Buyers should estimate an optimal down payment and determine an affordable monthly payment. They also need to estimate the amount they might net from sale of their existing home. Your Realtor helps buyers with these questions, and with the assistance of lenders, helps them determine the amounts and types of loans for which they can expect to qualify. 
   

6. Know Your Rights & Obligations

The laws and regulations that govern the sale of homes are complex and numerous. The contract for the sale and purchase of a home is legally binding, and should be carefully prepared by a licensed real estate professional. The wording in the contract can help the transaction proceed as intended. A poorly worded contract can create problems, even costing you dearly for repairs to the property, remedies for title defects, and other such items.

Be sure that your Realtor® has explained to you very clearly which repairs and closing costs the contract makes you responsible for. Your Realtor® will also keep you informed as to how deed restrictions, local zoning, and other factors will or could affect the transaction.

Remember, your Realtor® is your transaction guide and facilitator. Legal, tax and accounting advice should be obtained from experts in those areas. (Realtors® are rarely attorneys or accountants by training or practice.)
   

7. Choose a Realtor® Who is Right for You

What does this mean? How do you decide? Basically by interviewing several Realtors. When you find the Realtor® who

(a) is a full-time real estate professional; 
(b) has substantial, positive real estate experience; and 
(c) is someone you feel you can talk with openly and comfortably ...

  ... then you've found the right one.
 

8. Keep Your Realtor® Accountable

Real estate professionals keep their clients informed of the marketing or transaction progress. How often do you wish to be updated? Be sure you tell your Realtor® your communication needs and preferences, and then insist that he or she complies. A weekly phone call, an updated checklist, a faxed, mailed, or e-mailed report on a reliable, regular basis, will help assure you that the job of marketing your home is getting done!

Questions?

Call Jerry Cox at (949) 369-7880, or send him e-mail by clicking on the link below.