Minnie Rzeslawski’s Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Home in South Bay

Home preparation

Boost curb appeal

• Fence/gate: Your home’s gate/fence is the first feature potential buyers see as they walk up to your property. Beautiful maintenance-free fences are an excellent choice because they require minimal upkeep. For a fence that looks fantastic and stays that way, vinyl, aluminum, composite, and steel are all terrific options. Restore a chipping wooden fence with a fresh coat of paint to give it a brand-new, inviting appearance. Here are some additional suggestions for modernizing your wooden fence.
  
  
• Garden: Filling your garden area with low-maintenance perennials that work well in SoCal’s dry and sunny climate is an effortless way to create a beautiful landscape. Succulents are a great choice for drought-resistant plants, while ground cover plants native to California are ideal for filling in empty spaces and adding pops of color. Consider a pragmatic approach by planting raised flower beds brimming with stunning blooms or seasonal produce and herbs. If you’re unsure how to approach this venture, put your trust in a fantastic landscaper to create a stunning garden area.
  
  
• Water features:  Adding a water feature can significantly wow potential buyers, enhance property value, and exude sheer luxury. You can install a tiny cascading bowl fountain, a bubbling water fountain, or even a wall-mounted cascading waterfall. Any feature you decide on will attract buyers because of the tranquility that will wash over them as they relax in your garden.
  
  
• Terrace: Your home’s terrace is an essential part of your property. Your porch is an ideal place to create an inviting space where potential buyers envision themselves drinking their morning coffee and curling up with a good book and a glass of wine after a long workday. Add neutrally-colored and cozy daybeds, wicker chairs, and accent tables with decorative elements to spruce up the area.
  
  
• Paint: Something as simple as a bright turquoise or red door can capture a prospective buyer’s attention. Consider a deep blue or sage green door if you prefer something understated. While it costs a pretty penny, painting the home’s exterior will increase property value. Per the 2017 Zillow Paint Color Analysis, homes painted the color greige (gray/beige) sold for $3,496 more than their brown or tan stucco counterparts. Most people enjoy muted, neutral colors. Painting main living areas like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom could also attract buyers. These coastal colors keep to the nautical feel of South Bay and range from ocean blue to muted cream.

Home staging

Once you’ve spruced up your home, staging is the next step to getting your property seen and bought. Staging is a strategy where you decorate your home to attract potential buyers. This is a worthwhile venture for getting your South Bay real estate off the market and doesn’t require much money or effort. You will use different design techniques to create an inviting atmosphere where buyers can envision their lives playing out.

• Accentuate essential rooms: Key rooms to stage are the master bedroom, living room, kitchen, and dining room, as these are where people spend most of their time. Focusing your efforts on these rooms ensures you won’t waste funds or time staging rooms that aren’t key to house hunters.
  
  
• Declutter: Keeping your space clean and precise makes your home look larger and more appealing. Put away items you don’t use daily, or better yet, store them in your new home! After all, the last thing you need is buyers tripping over your kid’s toys while getting a home tour.
  
  
• De-personalize: It will be difficult for buyers to imagine living in the home if your family photos are plastered all over the walls. Before staging, pack away all personal photos, family heirlooms, and quirky knick-knacks.
  
  
• Minor improvements: Wear-and-tear is bound to happen when you’ve lived in a home for a while. Minor repairs like re-painting chipped windowsills, spackling holes in walls, and caulking are simple yet effective repairs that will make your home look clean, tidy, and move-in ready.
  
  
• Deep clean: Make sure your home is spick and span before people show up for viewings. This step is critical in presenting a pristine home that buyers are dying to snatch up. Hire a professional cleaning company to ensure you put your property’s best foot forward.
  
  
• Choose neutrally-colored decor and furniture: Most people prefer neutral colors for paint, furnishings, accents, and lighting. Replace brightly colored couches and artwork with more subdued pieces to attract more buyers.

Marketing

Effective negotiation