How to Sell Your Home

Before anything else, get clear on why you're selling and when. Are you upsizing because your family grew? Downsizing now that the kids are gone? Relocating for work? Each situation calls for a different strategy. A seller who needs to close in 45 days operates differently than someone who can be patient and wait for the right offer. The more honest you are about your goals upfront, the better I can advocate for you.

Pricing is the single most important decision in selling a home. Overprice it and you'll sit on the market while buyers move on — then you'll have to reduce, which signals desperation and attracts low offers. Underprice it and you leave money on the table. I'll run a thorough Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), looking at what similar homes in your area have actually sold for in the last 90 days, and recommend a price designed to attract strong, competitive offers.

You don't get a second chance at a first impression, and buyers form opinions in seconds. Before we list, I'll walk through your home and give you a specific prep list — focused on the things that actually move the needle, not unnecessary renovations. Decluttering, deep cleaning, fresh paint in neutral tones, and strategic furniture arrangement cost little but can add tens of thousands to your final sale price.

Over 95% of buyers start their search online. Your listing photos are your first showing. I use professional real estate photographers — not phone cameras — for every listing. Beyond photos, your home gets listed on the MLS (which syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, and hundreds of other sites), marketed to my network of buyer's agents, promoted on social media, and featured in email campaigns to active buyers. Your home gets full exposure, not just a yard sign.

When offers come in, I'll present each one in full — price, terms, contingencies, financing type, proposed close date, and anything unusual. The highest offer isn't always the best offer. A cash offer at $10,000 under asking with no contingencies can be better than a financed offer above asking that has a high risk of falling out of escrow. I'll help you compare apples to apples and negotiate from a position of strength.

California law requires sellers to disclose known material facts about the property. I'll guide you through the full disclosure package so nothing is missed. The buyer will likely have the home inspected — this is normal and healthy. Unexpected findings here can cause renegotiations; we'll handle them calmly and strategically. Escrow typically takes 30–45 days, and I coordinate with the escrow officer, the buyer's agent, and your lender (if you have a mortgage to pay off) throughout.

On closing day, the buyer signs loan documents, funds are transferred, and once the deed records with the county, the sale is complete and you receive your proceeds. I'll make sure you understand every number on your settlement statement before you sign. After 30+ years in this business, there's nothing more satisfying than handing over a check and watching a client move confidently into their next chapter.