For Sellers
Our team is perfect for selling your Coachella Valley home because we love and understand Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and all other Desert real estate. We're committed to getting the most for your Coachella Valley homes for sale,
Selling your Palm Springs area home is probably the most important investment you'll make. Selling Your Own Home may seem appealing, but many people find that it's worth it to hire a professional who can help them avoid Common Seller Mistakes. We can help you with the Home Selling Process: staging, Marketing and transaction. We offer a free Comparative Market Analysis to help you determine how to price your home. Listing Your Home with the us means that you have the power of our experience in the Coachella Valley home market behind you and your home.
Selling Your Own Home
Our team understands that some homeowners want to sell their home without the help of a real estate agent. Usually, owners make this decision to save money and to take full advantage of their equity. This is a valid concern and we are here to help.
Our philosophy is to provide the proper information to help buyers and sellers with their real estate needs; this includes those who wish to do the work on their own. We feel that our services are worth what we're paid, but we also respect those who would rather save money by performing these activities on their own. We'll outline the steps here. If you do try to sell your own home and aren't able to achieve results, please contact us and we'll be happy to go to work for you.
Preliminary Questions
These questions should be answered first if you want to take this big step and be successful. If the answer to any of these is "No" then you may face challenges and might need to reconsider your options.
- Are you willing to pay the co-op fee to a buyer's broker?
Out of all the reasons listed here, this is probably the most important. Typically, using a Realtor doesn't cost a buyer anything, so most use one without hesitation. If a buyer will need to pay their agent to buy your home, this amount will essentially be added to the cost of your home in their mind, and this generally complicates things. If you wish to make your home available to the most potential buyers, it is important to offer to pay the buyer's broker.
- Are you available during the day to take calls and schedule showings?
Most buyers and real estate agents see homes during the day and on weekends. The process of viewing homes is naturally tedious and tiring and if you're not easily accessible to handle these things, many buyers will not consider your home.
- Will you use a lockbox to allow buyers and other agents to see your home while you are not there?
Sellers who remain in their home while it's being viewed simply create tension with potential buyers. Many buyers are not willing to spend much time in these uncomfortable situations, so they don't seriously consider the property. This also creates a smaller window of time in which your home is available, which is very limiting.
- Are you able to verify that the people calling to show your home are legitimate home buyers?
You can verify that someone calling is a licensed California real estate agent at the California Department of Real Estate website. Click here to ensure a caller is licensed in California. Real estate agents, and especially Realtors, are bound by rules, regulations and ethics that ensure they will treat your home properly.
- Can you afford to wait a few extra months for your house to sell?
Statistics say that people who sell their own homes take longer and sell their homes for less money than those who sell with an agent. This is typically due to the lack of exposure to potential buyers; buyers typically work with agents and search for homes in the MLS system. When you sell your home on your own and don't have access to the MLS, fewer buyers discover your home is for sale.
- Do you have someone who can help with the contracts and the closing?
A Realtor working for a seller organizes the contract process and the closing. This is a major responsibility and the contracts are legally binding, so it's important to have the proper representation. This could include a lawyer or a title representative.
Selling Your Home
If you can answer YES to most or all of these questions, you are ready to continue. If not, you might want to take a look at the list of services we provide and give us a call for a free consultation.
- Staging/Curb Appeal
Getting your home ready to sell is an important step. The overall condition and look of your home is an important factor in determining how quickly it will sell. Many buyers won't view homes if they don't like the way it looks from the street, and others aren't able to look beyond your belongings inside of the home. It's vital for a buyer to be able to see themself in your home, so you might consider hiring a staging consultant.
- Marketing
Determine how you want to market your home in order to gain exposure to the pool of potential buyers. The yard signs, newspapers and the internet are possible places to market your home. We would suggest pricing the options and establishing a plan for the next 6-9 months.
- Pricing
The only thing that matters in pricing a home is what a buyer is willing to pay. Never mind what you want, or what you need, or what your neighbor sold their home for. A good place to start is by comparing your home to other similar homes, within a few block radius, that have sold within the last 3 months.
- Seek Legal Representation
Knowing your rights is important during the home sale process. If a Realtor is helping a buyer, they may give you advice but they will always be loyal to the buyer. What is in the best interest of the buyer isn't usually in your best interest, so be prepared!
- Showings
Determine a plan for making your home available to buyers.
- Qualifying a Buyer
When a buyer makes an offer, be sure to ask for a lender qualification letter. This will verify the buyer's ability to pay for your home before you take it off the market.
- Negotiating The Offer
Determine how you will negotiate if an offer comes in under the list price. An agent working for the buyer will most likely be skilled in negotiation, so it's important that you understand early in the game what you need to sell the home for. You should also set out a minimum that you're willing to accept.
- Inspections
The buyer will need to inspect the house for problems, so make sure you are available to let the buyer enter your home for the inspection. There will also be a process of resolving any safety issues that the inspector finds, so be sure to prepare for this when accepting an offer.
- Closing and Title Documents
Select the team that will assist you through the closing process. Our team wishes you the best with the sale of your home, whether you hire us or not. Our goal is to be of service at all times, so if you have any questions, we'd be happy to help.
Top 10 Common Seller Mistakes
If you want to sell your home, now is the perfect time to prepare. For most people, a home is their largest lifetime investment, yet many home sellers make costly mistakes when trying to cash in. Here is a list of the most significant errors and how to avoid them:
Home seller mistake # 1: Trying to sell their own home.
Some people are able to sell their own home but many aren't. Statistics also show that those sellers who are successful in selling their home without a real estate agent net less than sellers who use a professional. You probably visit a doctor when you are in ill health. You also likely take your car to a mechanic for repair and maintenance. When you require legal advice, chances are that you seek the services of an attorney. Doesn't it make sense that you should contact a real estate professional when you are preparing to sell your biggest asset?
Home seller mistake # 2: Choosing the wrong agent.
Don't make selling a home more difficult by choosing the wrong agent. You want an agent who works for you and understands your needs and goals. It's important to choose an agent with a solid marketing plan and track record to sell your home. Your agent will also be in close contact to walk you through the process so it's important to choose someone who is both competent and enjoyable to work with.
Home seller mistake # 3: Basing their asking price on needs or emotion.
Many times, people make their pricing decisions based on how much they paid or on how much time and money they have invested in their home. This can be an expensive mistake. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and eventually net the seller less money. Consult with a professional you trust and listen to their opinion. They can assist you in pricing your home correctly from the beginning.
Home seller mistake # 4: Failing to stage their home correctly.
First impressions are the most important. Experience shows that for every $100 in repairs that your home needs, a buyer will deduct $300-$500 from their offer. Thoroughly clean and prepare your home before you put it on the market if you want top dollar in the shortest amount of time.
Home seller mistake # 5: Signing a listing contract with no way out.
Many real estate agents want you to sign a listing contract with no way out. Things may not go perfectly so patience and understanding is important when selling a home, but staying with the wrong agent can cost you valuable time and money. Ask potential agents about your options if you aren't happy with their performance and avoid signing a contract with no way out.
Home seller mistake # 6: Failing to take the first offer seriously.
Many sellers believe that the first offer received will be one of many to come. This is especially true if the offer comes in soon after the home is listed. Often the first offer is the best offer, and many sellers have had to accept less money than the initial offer much later in the selling process. Homes are most saleable early in the marketing period so don't fail to take the first offer seriously.
Home seller mistake # 7: Not leaving the home for showings.
It is always best to leave the house during showings. Home buyers feel awkward about opening closet doors and lingering for a really good look at the house if the seller is there. Give the buyers adequate time and freedom to view your home without being present to avoid this mistake.
Home seller mistake # 8: Not knowing all of their legal rights and obligations.
Real estate law is complex. The contract that you will sign when selling your home is legally binding. Small items that are neglected in a contract can wind up costing you thousands of dollars. You should consult a knowledgeable professional who fully understands the real estate transaction. If you work with a good agent you will be educated along the way and avoid this mistake.
Home seller mistake # 9: Leaving unpleasant odors.
House odors are big on the uh-oh list. And narrowing it down, odors from cigarette smoke and pets take top billing, with mildew not far behind. If you smoke in the house the smell can offend non-smokers. If you have pets, it might smell, even if you don't notice it. Ask someone who doesn't live there (and don't get angry when they tell you the truth).
There's only one solution. Eradicate the odors so that you can present buyers with a clean, fresh atmosphere, not a house that's full of perfumes to cover up the smell. Take the time and effort to eliminate odors and avoid this mistake.
Home seller mistake # 10: Not considering curb appeal.
You must grab their interest from the curb if you want top dollar. Buyers often refuse to go into a house with an unkempt yard, sagging doors or peeling paint. You say you can't afford to paint? Okay, but get that yard in tip-top shape and grab a screwdriver to fix those doors. These small details can make all the difference in how many buyers even consider viewing the inside.
