Sell My House in Santa Monica, CA

Selling a house in Santa Monica, CA involves pricing against live comparable sales, pre-listing preparation, marketing, Measure GS transfer tax planning and offer negotiation. Ray Lyon Realty, a trusted listing realtor, prepares a market analysis from recent sold prices and a free home valuation for owners across the Westside.

Step One:

Evaluating Your Home

The first step to selling your home is to evaluate your home’s condition. I will tour your home and make note of any cosmetic or functional problems, and discuss any upgrades or improvements that may bring additional value to your sale. Note that significant problems may require disclosure to potential buyers. We will discuss the findings and available options to help ensure your home is the best condition possible for attracting buyers. We have several venders we can recommend and will hold your hand throughout the process. The goal is to get your property looking at its best potential with out spending a ton of money.

Step Two:

Choosing an Asking Price

Many factors should be considered in determining a competitive list price for your home, such as location, condition, age, supply and demand, as well as local market conditions. It will also be valuable to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of similar homes that have recently sold in your area. You may also choose to have a professional appraisal of your home conducted in advance. All of these factors will help guide your decision to establish a list price.

Step Three:

Getting Market Ready

Preparing your home for the market may include tasks such as reducing clutter and fixing maintenance concerns as well as updating paint colors and addressing landscaping needs. It may also be advantageous to have the home professionally staged. The focus of this process is to prepare your home to make a great impression and invite the most attractive offers possible.

Step Four:

Listing Your Home

When the home is ready for market, I will have professional photography taken – 3D Virtual Matterport Tours and HD video. Then your home will be listed on the local MLS and syndicated to area brokerages and agents. Additional advertising methods may also be used to reach the widest audience possible within the target market. Creating a personalized plan to market your home will help attract the interest of the right buyer.

Step Five:

Home Showings

Once your home has been listed, home showings will begin! It may also be advantageous to hold an open house. Typically, the home owner is not present for home showings, but you will be notified in advance of any appointments and showings can be scheduled during specific times to avoid inconvenience. This creates an inviting and welcoming atmosphere for buyers touring the home.

Step Six:

Receiving Offers

An offer, or multiple offers, will be made by a buyer, which you may accept, counter, or reject. If a counter is made, we will enter a period of negotiation until an agreement is reached by all parties, or you choose to reject the latest counter. Negotiations can involve many factors, including settling on a sales price, concessions and financing. Once all parties reach an agreement, you will officially be under contract!

Step Seven:

Appraisal & Inspection

Once a buyer and seller reach an agreement, the buyer may order a professional inspection and appraisal to evaluate the condition and value of the home. Depending on the results of the reports, we may enter another round of negotiations until an agreement is reached by all parties. Depending on the negotiation strategy, you may choose to complete repairs requested by the buyer in order to maximize other negotiation factors. We have several venders that can assist you with the repairs to simplify the process.

Step Eight:

The Closing

Closing day! Your Buyer’s lender will provide final confirmation that they are approved to close, and you will sign the paperwork required to complete the sale. This process typically takes an hour or two. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties, your title company will wire the net proceeds of the sale to your bank account, and your home will officially be sold!