The first steps involve finding a reputable real estate agent, determining a competitive selling price based on market analysis, preparing your house for sale by cleaning and making necessary repairs, and gathering all the necessary documents like property deeds, past repair receipts, and any information about your home’s unique features or upgrades.

Look for an agent with a solid reputation, market knowledge, and experiance,  good communication skills, and a marketing plan for your house.   You will hear lots of agent say you must know the neighborhood but that is not true in today world.  You can read more about this here

The price of your house should be determined by a comparative market analysis (CMA) performed by your real estate agent. This analysis considers recent sale prices of similar homes in your area, current market trends, and the unique features of your property.

I get this question a lot.  Comps are the most important item that a real estate agent can learn.   Unfortunately they really do not do a good job teaching this in real estate school.  Most agent really do not get the grip on how they are ran till they are in the business for a few year.  

There are lots of items that go into pricing a home.  If you are wondering why your price is different than a neighbors it probably has to do with you home is not as updated / repair are done or maybe it is smaller or even older (10 year is the max when finding homes that compare )

These are just a few factors.   I will explain all these when we have our appointment 

Yes, staging can be very beneficial. It helps potential buyers visualize themselves in the space and can often help your home sell faster and for a higher price. It can be as simple as decluttering and deep cleaning, or as complex as bringing in new furniture and decor.

Model homes sell new homes.  If you want to get top dollar you must look like a model home.

Extremely important. Most buyers start their home search online, and high-quality photos are crucial to making a strong first impression. They help to attract potential buyers to view your property. Some sellers also opt for virtual tours or videos.

I work with some of the best photographers in LA.  Most shoot Hollywood stars so you know they can make your house shine like a star

Sellers are legally required to disclose certain information, which varies by state but typically includes any known structural problems, leaks, mold, pests, or other defects. Honesty is always the best policy, as failure to disclose could lead to legal trouble down the line.

PS…I just read that lawsuits are up 34% in the last year in the real estate world.   Most come from people not telling the truth.  Best policy is just disclose everything.  If you don’t want to disclose then fix it.  

Apart from staging and high-quality photos, small improvements can make a big difference. Keep your home clean and tidy, consider painting in neutral colors, keep the exterior well-maintained, and eliminate any unpleasant odors. Additionally, be flexible with showing times to accommodate more potential buyers

I find the biggest problem selling a home here in LA is the selling agent.  Not sure why agent think they have to be there to show your home.  I understand there are some exception  but for the most part I let the buyers agent book a time that is convent and let them show your home.  

Undoubtedly, this is a phenomenon unique to Los Angeles. You’d be hard-pressed to encounter this anywhere else in California or any other state I’ve had the privilege to work in.

The crux of the issue lies in the fact that the selling agent insists on attending each and every showing, which becomes a logistical nightmare in terms of scheduling. I speak from first-hand experience on this matter, particularly while serving buyers.

When a buyer’s agent is in the process of setting up a viewing for your property, the last thing they need is another party’s schedule throwing a wrench in the works. On the buyer’s side, I have encountered this stumbling block more times than I can count. Picture this: I strive to schedule a viewing of a property, only for the selling agent to inform me they’re available not until next week, or even worse, ten days later (Yes, I’ve had this happen).

Buyers are ready and eager to see properties immediately. If they can’t gain access to your home, they’ll promptly move on. This has invariably been my experience each time I’ve crossed paths with such agents.

So, I urge you to deliberate wisely before hiring an agent who insists on being present at every single showing. Their inability to accommodate flexible scheduling might just be the reason your house isn’t selling.

In a multiple offer situation, you’re not just looking at the price. You’ll also want to consider the terms of each offer (e.g., closing date, contingencies), the buyer’s financing, and even the earnest money deposit. I have had lost of experience with this over the past 15 year, I will  guide you through this process.

Once you accept an offer, the buyer typically has a period to conduct inspections. Depending on the results and your agreement, there may be negotiations for repairs. Once both parties agree, the buyer’s lender will conduct an appraisal. If everything goes well, you’ll move to closing, where ownership is transferred.