Last minute spontaneity is not the move when it comes to getting your home ready to sell.
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The personal stories of one Realtor’s battles and triumphs in the highly-competitive Bay Area Real Estate Market, seeking to illuminate and humanize the very real ups-and-downs of homeownership.
“I’m feeling a bit blue,” my friend said. The girls are going to be with their dad in Piedmont, and my son is headed to London, so Christmas is going to be lonely here on the East Coast.” (Fa-la-la-la)
“Well . . . here’s a thought,” I said, “Cliff and I celebrate Chanukkah so Christmas doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. Why don’t you and I meet in New York City on the 26th?”
And so we did . . . .With the holidays already in full swing, we both immediately booked tickets to meet in the Big Apple for a fun-filled extended weekend, securing last-minute seats to four musicals, as well as one off-color, rather racy comedy. (“SIX ” was far and away our favorite show.)
We did a little shopping, admired the tree at Rockefeller Center, squeezed in a quick trip to the Guggenheim, walked the reservoir in Central Park, and enjoyed neighborhood cafes near the oh-so FABULOUS apartment my friend had miraculously borrowed from her generous college roommate. (Now that’s a GOOD friend.) In spite of a few rain showers, it was a magical trip, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. (Same time next year, A?)
There’s something to be said for spontaneity.
However, when it comes to Real Estate, the name of the game is PREPARATION . . . .
As the new year unfolds, Sellers that reached out last fall will be first out of the gates, which means they’ll have little competition. As a consequence, these properties often have surprising results that far surpass anyone’s expectations.
That isn’t to say that Agents can’t accommodate last-minute listings (we can), but that it’s much easier for everyone involved when we have a little runway and a greater lead time to present a property in its best light. (Most properties require at least 4-6 weeks to bring to market.)
With many good painters and stagers booking months in advance, any Homeowner thinking of selling will be better served reaching out sooner, rather than later, especially if a 2025 move ranks at the top on your resolution’s list.
While it may seem counterintuitive to contact a Realtor® months before your preferred move-out date, there are a host of good reasons to do so . . . starting with that proverbial “to-do” list.
No thank you to last minute surprises
If we discover BIG items or unwelcome surprises that need attention, (even meticulously maintained homes often require updates), such as rot behind the stucco, leaking decks, or outdated bathrooms (repairs that require more than just a few weeks and your average handyman to tackle), we’ll need sufficient time to formulate a reasonable plan of action. It’s important to note that any perceived defects to the property WILL be fodder for discussion, and if they are significant, they WILL very likely impact the outcome dramatically. Better to address any red flags head on and eliminate these issues before they become a point of negotiation.
By way of example, our newest listing at 111 Hazel Lane in Piedmont had a wood-shake roof that would have made insurance an uphill battle for prospective Buyers. Having taken the listing last fall, we laid out the pros and cons and gathered bids. At which point, the Sellers considered their options and smartly chose to replace it. Now, with a brand new composition shingle roof (and warranty) in place, insurability for this particular home should no longer be a factor. In other words: problem solved!
Listen, by all means, grab those last-minute opportunities to make lemonade out of lemons (and NEVER turn down a trip to NYC) but don’t count on selling your house in the same fashion unless you’re prepared to take a MAJOR deduction in the process. In point of fact, when it comes to selling your single largest investment, you’re going to want to do so with thoughtful intention, a well-laid plan, and an award-winning team (that’s us) from start to finish.
And five, six, seven eight . . . (A girl can dream.)
How can we help you?
Julie Gardner & Sarah Abel | Compass Realty
Not just Realtors, but consultants in all things house and home, we’re here to educate, explore, examine and refer . . . In short, you may count on us to take care of your home as if it were our own and anyone who knows us, knows we take pretty darn good care of our homes.
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