+ HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MY HOUSE BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THE MARKET?

My advice to home sellers is to think of the three D's: Declutter, De-Personalize and Deep Cleaning. Start with decluttering and get rid of all of things you have been meaning to get rid of. Removing family photos helps the next family envision themselves there and a deep cleaning will show the new owners that you like to maintain your property. The next step I suggest is to have a home inspection done by a qualified inspector. We have many that service Bungalow Heaven and Pasadena (see our vendor list for some vetted ones). This inspection (cost runs $350-500) will give you an idea of what is in need of correction at your property.This becomes a punch list of things you can fix own your own or at low cost. Tackle all the chips, cracks, squeaks and leaks. If you make sure all windows have screens, install smoke detectors and the required GFCI outlets near sinks you will have an easier escrow. Once a buyer enters into contract with you, they too will do an inspection, even if a property is sold as-is. It is better for them to find less things resulting in less credits. A good agent will guide you. Making larger decisions like remodeling bathrooms and kitchens will come down to return on investment. Some home improvements have positive yields, some are break even and some are losses.

+ HOW MUCH IS MY HOUSE WORTH?

Real estate in LA County is always a busy market. There is always more buyers than sellers. Home values in many neighborhoods are up while a few are flat.
The exact value of your home will depend on a myriad of things including items that a Zillow Zestimate can never know (improvements made, repairs needed). Our emotional connection to our homes generally inflates the value in our minds, but when it comes down to it, what the market will pay is the true value. While not a Real Estate Appraiser, agents can put together a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on your specific property. Click here to request one.

+ HOW IS THE HOUSING MARKET RIGHT NOW?

All of the market data that agents see indicates a very strong market for sellers. Inventories in are low compared to years past and this is driving up prices. As for the future, the prices are predicted to continue rising with no massive downturn in values on the near horizon (at least four to five years). Those looking to downsize, you may find challenges with inventory so plan ahead, those looking to upsize have more options in the upper end of the market.

+ HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SELL MY HOME? HOW CAN I SELL MY HOUSE FAST?

Houses in Los Angeles are selling fast right now with offers coming in within the first seven days and escrow periods (the tarnsfer of ownership) being 30 days or just under. Properly preparing the house for sale and heavily promoting the sale not only makes the process go faster but also increases the odds of getting multiple offers.

+ IS STAGING REALLY IMPORTANT?

On average, a staged home sells 88% faster—and for 20% more money—than a home that's left as-is. The reason it works, of course, is it gives buyers a "stage" onto which they can play out their home-owning fantasies and envision themselves living in your home. Staging can be done at different levels: full staging, where they take out all of your furnishings and bring in their own; light staging, where they use furnishings you own along with items from the staging company; and partial staging, where only the living room and one bedroom are staged. If you tackle it on your own, try to keep things light and airy. If you are painting, use neutral colors and be sure to remove any family photos. Give the would-be homeowners a blank canvas that they can mentally fill with their loved ones and themselves. 

+ SHOULD I BE PRESENT WHEN BUYERS VIEW MY HOUSE?

No, never, ever.  Having the home owners present makes would-be buyers uncomfortable. They want to dish about the house and not have to worry about offending. Again, your emotional attachment works against you. A good agent will only be there for open house events but will also escort any other agents and prospective buyers. Placing a lockbox on a home and letting any agent have access at any time is not recommended in my opinion. Bungalow Heaven homes are not a typical homes. The history and soul of the home need to be factored into the sales process and only a good listing agent can relay this while determining if the next buyer will be able to maintain the history.   

+ HOW MUCH IS THE AGENT'S COMMISSION?

While the commission can vary, it is typically 5% of a home's sale price—and that's usually split with the buyer's agent. But what's implied by this question is "What are Realtors doing to earn that fat check?" Here are some facts to keep in mind: unlike lawyers who get paid by the hour, or doctors who are paid by the appointment, listing agents don't get paid unless they make a sale. For every hour an agent spends with a client, he or she will typically spend nine hours on average working on that client's behalf doing everything from networking to finding qualified buyers to filling out mountains of paperwork. And no, not all agents are created equal. Sellers should interview a few agents prior to selecting one to represent them. It's no different than choosing an attorney, accountant, or the doctor who will deliver your baby. You want to be sure that you trust that person and are comfortable with them."