Insights

Setting a Realistic Price

You’re ready for a change; your family is growing, the kids are off on their own, business is booming, or you’re looking for a brand-new lifestyle. All of these wonderful events can trigger the sale of a much-loved home.

Let Adrienne guide you in making sure you get every dollar for your home and avoid some of the hassles involved with the process. To help set pricing, contact Adrienne to see what homes are selling in your neighborhood.

If you’ve never sold a home before, or it’s been a while – check out the information below for an overview.

Establish Pricing

Do you know what your house is worth in the Studio City, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Bel Air, Malibu, Santa Monica, and the Greater Los Angeles area? There are several ways to find out – check the newspaper (not very accurate) or Internet for comparable values in your neighborhood, or let Adrienne take care of it.

It’s critical to set a realistic price for your home. When a home stays on the market too long because it’s overpriced, buyers may think that something is wrong with it. That means you may wind up settling for less than a realistic price.

The best way to make sure you’re setting a great price is to work with Adrienne because of her 20 plus years of experience and familiarity with the communities and market. She has an impeccable sense of the market value compared to anyone else – including appraisers!

Set the Stage

How long have you lived in your current home? If it’s been years, it’s time to stand back and take an objective look at its best features and overall condition. You’re going to have to make sure you put your best foot forward when people start to look at your home with fresh eyes.

Here are the aspects you need to consider:

Curb appeal – make sure your home looks good on the outside. Brighten landscaping, paint, refurbish.
Create a spacious interior – get rid of clutter and furniture that makes navigation difficult. Wash the drapes, open the windows, organize cabinets and closets.
Imagine a canvas – buyers want to envision how their furniture and accessories will look in your home. The more open space, the larger the rooms will feel.

Years of real estate experience combined with a background in artistic design, Adrienne knows how to assist you in creating a comfortable and beautiful setting that will help you get the most money for your home.

Negotiate the Deal

It’s almost time to put your home up for sale! But first you’ll need a marketing strategy – a plan of how to reach the most qualified buyers. Think about flyers and direct marketing and overall market conditions, let Adrienne guide you. She will present informed and timely ideas, designed to bring the most qualified buyers to your doorstep.

Once a buyer decides they want your house, they’ll present an offer to you. Since you’ve already purchased a home, you know a little about the offer and negotiating process. Adrienne will be there to review the written document with you and ensure that you fully understand the obligations of both parties, including any fees, repairs or other items you are likely to be responsible for. She will make sure the offer is being made by a qualified (either prequalified or pre-approved) buyer.

Update the Property

As part of your contract, you’re likely to have a few details to take care of before the new home owner takes possession. In all likelihood, the buyer’s may ask for updates or repairs to be done after a home inspection is conducted. If you’ve done your homework, there will be no surprises. In the event that small issues arise and require repair, you may agree to all, some, or none of these items. Sometimes both parties may agree to a credit of a certain amount of money so that the buyer may have repairs made after the close of escrow.

If you’re as busy as most of us are today, you will probably want Adrienne to help you make arrangements for all these repair, inspection and appraisal arrangements. It’s a great time-saver to have someone to handle the details. Adrienne will be directly involved and keep you informed as to the results of each action and what effect, if any, it will have on the sale of the property. Keeping the process positive and moving forward is one of the great ways Adrienne insures that you are a client for life.

Closing the Deal

In most cases, the buyer will conduct a final walk-thru during the week prior to the close of the escrow date. At that time, repairs, if any, should be completed along with any other work agreed to be done. This also gives you the chance to explain the operation of all operating systems to the Buyer of your home. Once everyone’s contractual obligations are met, a date is set for “closing” the deal and it’s time for you to get moving. Literally.

Ownership of your home is transferred to the buyer at the County Recorder’s Office. Adrienne will contact you as soon as this takes place. She will be glad to make arrangements for the Buyers to pick up the keys.

CONGRATULATIONS

While selling a home can be an emotional experience, so is starting a new life in a brand new house. You’re ready to get going, the sale was a breeze. And now you’re ready to make a new home all over again in the Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and the Greater Los Angeles area!