Tips For Selling Your Home
If you’ve decided to sell your home, chances are you’re caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Whatever turbulent feelings you’re experiencing right now, there are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly.
Time Becomes Money
It’s a good idea to place your home on the market as far in advance as possible of purchasing a new one. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your present home, you may wind up with two mortgages. If this does happen, ask your real estate agent or banker about a bridge loan to help you make the double payments. Lenders use the same criteria for offering bridge loans as they use for mortgages. Should you qualify for a bridge loan, beware of the expense; during the term of the loan you must continue to pay both mortgages. Shop around for the best terms.
Keep in mind that when people move, sell and buy, there usually is a domino effect. Closing and moving dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial penalties for failure to comply.
Check Your Curb Appeal
A home that’s visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider’s eyes.
- Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained?
- Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways?
- Does the driveway need resurfacing?
- Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition?
- Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting?
- Are garbage and debris stored out of sight?
- Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored?
- Is the garage door closed?
On the Inside
Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home’s interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home.
Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day you’re expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma.
Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It’s attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want.
Go It Alone--or Choose an Agent?
Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 5%. However, handling your own sale means you will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home to strangers. What’s more, buyers who know you are saving on an agent’s commission may offer less for your home, wiping out the financial incentive to do it all yourself.
You may decide an agent’s commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer:
- They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home.
- They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer.
- They will create, pay for and place advertising for you.
- They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there.
- They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage.
- They can refer you to sources for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing.
- They will help you negotiate with the buyer.
- They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer.
If you decide to sell through an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before picking the one you want to work with. Taking a walk through your home with an agent should give you a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home. Don’t sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker’s commission prior to listing your home, and sign for a limited period of time—usually three to six months.
Setting a Fair Price
Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don’t want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that’s too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home.
- Your location
- Economic conditions
- Supply and demand in the local housing market
- Seasonal influences
- Local schools
- Average home prices in the neighborhood
- Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc.
To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property.
Qualifying a Buyer
Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale.
- The buyer's debt and credit history
- The buyer's current income and employment
- The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment
- The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home
- How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others
Seek Legal Representation
When selling your home—particularly if you are selling on your own—it’s a good idea to be represented by an attorney. Look for an attorney with expertise in real estate transactions. When a potential buyer puts an offer in writing and you accept it, the signed acceptance becomes the sales contract. Your attorney will be present at the actual closing to protect your interests and can assist you with the following elements of a
sales contract:
- The sale price
- What is included in the sale price -- draperies, carpeting, light fixtures, heating oil, etc.
- The amount of the down payment
- The date of settlement and possession date
- Contingencies to the sale--inspections (e.g. structural, lead-based paint, radon), required improvements, legal review of the contract by the buyer's or seller's attorney, etc.
- The amount and length of the mortgage loan, interest rate and time limits to secure the loan
- Determining which closing costs are to be paid by the buyer and which by the seller
Tax Implications
Selling a home can have a major impact on your federal and state tax returns. Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home. For example:
- Whether you purchased the home or acquired it by gift or inheritance
- Whether you used your home partly for business or rental
- Costs associated with selling your home
- Home improvements or additions, which may help to offset capital gains
- The sale of your home. In certain cases you can exclude up to $250,000 in gain ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) on the sale of property that was your principle residence for at least two years. Generally, you can use this exclusion every two years.
Brentwood homes and condos
Highly Recommended Service Providers
AIR CONDITIONING (see FURNACES/AIR CONDITIONING)
APPLIANCES
Television repair Albert Rivas 310 525-0799
Snyder-Diamond Discount Plumbing 323-870-6667
APPRAISERS
Tom Erickson 310-453-1978
M.W. Forman 818-706-0535
John MacNeil 310-456-3878
Major Appraisal/Jeff Zumbo 310-417-8946
Bill Mcllrath x114
Larry Shenier 310-641-9443
Sommers/Craig Lipsey 310-478-2300
Gene Sorenson 310-645-4006
Bob Walch 818-585-4915
(or) 888-909-8650
ARCHITECTS
Richard Appel 310-829-7007
Kevin Clark 818-222-5213
Nicholas Budd Dutton (John Dutton) 323-653-0226
Wm. Hablinsk 310-858-8525
Clark & Hedrick 310-472-8119
Dean L. Pratt (Shigetomi/Pratt) 323-692-0897
Jay Reynolds 323-931-1007
Jim Smith 310-559-5192
ARCHEOLOGISTS
Brian Dillon 818-893-3468
Gary Stickel 323-937-6997
Robert Wilodrski 818-340-6676
BATHTUB/SINK/SHOWER REPAIR
Cermaglaze, Inc. 310-275-9580
Porcelain & Fiberglass Maintenance, 818-980-3245
Inc. (Henry Garcia)
BEE CONTROL
Simon the Bee Man 818-708-0260
CARPET/ FLOOR/ TILE
CARPET CLEANING
Environmental Carpet by Shen 310-456-7771
Dick Maplesden Custom Carpet Clean 310-451-4728
CHIMNEY INSPECTION/ BUILDERS
Boston Brick & Stone 323-257-4298
Cal Fire 818-341-0338
Certified Chimney (Shane Imburgia) 818-265-0669
(inspections only)
D-Way (inspections only) 805-492-6363
Eddie Wigington (builder) 310-293-2196
CLEANING SERVICES
Dick Maplesden Carpet / Upholstery 310-451-4728
CONTRACTORS
Armfield Designs (Mark Armfield) 310-457-4222
Scott Halley 310-457-5614
Holst Brothers 310-456-2563
James Horner 310-455-9911
Scott Pritchett 805-494-4878
SOS Enterprises (Gideon Cohen) 310-822-8285
Stuart Seidner 310-457-3062
DISCLOSURES
LGS 800-814-5599
Property ID 800-626-0106
DRAINAGE SPECIALISTS
ELECTRICIANS
Arie Izhak 818-509-0000
Wayne Martin 818-347-6051
Malibu Electric Service (Brian) 310-456-2263
Dusty Peak 310-457-9348
Ramco 310-390-6133
Starman 818-363-7563
Viking 323-874-0042
Edwardo 323-552-8609
ENGINEERS (see STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS)
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (see MOLD
REMEDIATION for mold corrective work)
Affordable Inspection Service (Mold) 818-886-2070
Air Quality Management 909-396-2326
Alliance Environmental (air duct clean- 888-314-3300
ing, asbestos, lead paint, hazardous
materials, mold testing / remediation)
Asbestos Detections 714-530-1922
Callan Environmental (mold) 805-583-8093
Environmental Inspections & Solutions 818-879-0900
(Richard Scarborough (inspections)
Murray Herraschom 310-396-6532
(indoor/outdoor air quality/
mold etc, air duct cleaning)
Precision Environmental Inc (mold, 800-375-7786
asbestos, lead, etc) (remediation)
PW Stephens (asbestos) 800-750-7733
Allan Rudison (mold inspections) 310-815-8888
St. George Industries (asbestos) 818-509-2500
EXPEDITERS
Mike Barsocchini 210 456-3625
Marissa Coughlan 310 456-6262
Land & Water Co. (Lynn Heacox) 714 965-1622
Susan McCabe (Lobbyist, Legislative 310-821-1004
and Coastal)
Marney Randall 310 395-2615
Don Schmitz 310 589-0773
Terry Valente 310 456-8990
EXTERMINATORS (see PEST CONTROL and TERMITE SERVICES
FENCING
C and C Fence Co. (Dan) 818-216-6784
FIBERGLASS REPAIR (see BATHTUB/SINK/SHOWER REPAIR)
FIRE SYSTEMS
California State Fire Protection (Steve 310-397-7553
Hoppers)
Interior Sprinklers (Jim Beard) 714 524-9118
FLOORING
Low Downey 626-445-2327
Bill Henley, Inc. (Frank Henley- 310-671-4278
hardwood)
Reinhart Peters 818-909-4652
Wolfgarg 310-657-9536
FOUNDATIONS
FUNG SHUI
Milan 310 394-9164 310 277-7776
Joyce Chow Waddell 310 568-8333
FURNACES/AIR CONDITIONING
A&H Heating 310-837-7491
Cal Heat & Air 323-469-6207
Crown Air 818-886-3152
EAC Service 310-704-6052
E.L. Payne 800-227-2963
Mediterranean 818-884-1414
Nu Air 818-773-1177
Robinson 818-387-0001
Santa Monica Duct Cleaning 310-451-3749
FURNITURE DESIGN
Quattrocento Design (Leonard Temes 310-358-0758
GEOLOGISTS
Alexander Bell 818-884-8211
J.Byer Group 818-549-9959
Coastline Geotechnical Consultants 818-217-1504
(Richard Martin)
Leroy Crandall 310-578-7475
Geo-Concepts (Bob Sousa) 818-994-8895
Geo Plan (John Merrill) 818-881-2063
Geo Systems/ Vince Carnegie 818-500-9533
Dale Glenn 818-886-2766
Donald Kowalewaky 310-457-2456
MacIntosh & MacIntosh 323-662-1184
Mountain Geology (Jeff Holt) 805-522-5174
Larry Parmalee 818-905-5337
RJR Engineering (James O’Tousa) 805-650-5125
Robertson Geotechnical 818-991-6367
(Hugh Robertson) 805-373-0057
Brian Robinson 818-782-8282
Harley Tucker 818-703-0908
GEOLOGY
HANDYMEN
Dan Bowen 310-828-5730
Jim Collins 310-641-8083
Cooley’s Handyman Service 213-350-1310
Handy Harry 310-556-5737
Handy Mac 310-454-5561
Dick Minium Construction 310-454-5740
Pioneer & Lucerne Hardware 310-276-7316
Don Ridgeway 310-820-7856
Les Soltes 310-207-3756
Scott Winner 310-457-8301
Roy Wolters 310-641-1068
HOME WARRANTY PROGRAMS
American Home Shield 800-827-4636
Fidelity-Chicago 800-308-1422
First American 800-698-0422
Old Republic 800-445-6999
Sierra National 800-464-4692
HORSE CARE
Big Baby Ranch (Steve Brackley) 805-933-3306
IMPACT HAZARD GLAZING
INSPECTORS
Gary Abrams 818-593-1590
Accurate/Jim Melnarik 310-559-4070
Advanced Group 818-247-7771
AmeriSpec (franchise) 818-543-1366
AmeriSpec (franchise Rick White) 805-644-3623
Boatwright 310-390-8282
Les Di Francesco 818-865-0490
Eagle/Dan Fish 800-303-2453
Environmental Inspection Services 310-396-6532
(Murray)
Federal Home/Mike Koptcha 310-860-1934
Gordon/Mark Enomoto 310-274-4444
Robert Holmes 310-701-9012
Home Specs (Neal Ray) 310-457-3887
Inspecteck/Tom Clark 800-706-1950
Martin Kaplan 310-475-0644
John La Rocca 323-469-5466
Lugar 310-798-2411
Morrissey, Bushway & Assocs (Pat 310-248-5450
Morrisey)
National Leak Detection 800-444-9421
Pacific 800-537-7404
Pro-Tech (Jerry Kessler) 818-246-9105
Reliance/ George Baral 818-845-4273
Mike Ross 310-915-0301
INSURANCE
Ares (John Rodway) 818-986-4207
Auto Club of Southern California 310-914-8500
Cedric Scott (John Hanna) 818-795-7248
Farmers (Mark Ball) 310-317-4433
Farmers (Bart Baker) 310-457-5092
Fireman’s Fund (wood pilings – Gary 310-457-1485
Warner)
State Farm 310-456-1629
Gary Steffans (wood pilings) 310-459-1555
Sussman Insurance 310-820-2939
INTERIOR DESIGN
Dacoda Interiors 310-713-8488
Michael Foxworthy Interiors 323-822-9932
INVENTORY SERVICES
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BRUSH CLEARANCE
Artscape 818-994-7181
Andrea Gardner (Lic Lndscp Arch) 310-202-6767
Daniel Perez 818-244-7101
Simply Green 310-858-7355
Albert Thorne (brush/tractor) 805-486-1913
LEAK DETECTION
LOCKSMITHS
Bundy Lock & Key 310-438-8951
Kennedy Lock 310-271-9760
Koonz Hardware 310-652-0123
Village Lockshop 310-471-5625
MOLD REMEDIATION (see “ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES” for mold inspections)
Alliance Environmental 888-314-3300
Bye Bye Mold (George Hatcher) 800-686-1992
California Restoration 800-822-7847
Precision Environmental Inc (mold, 800-375-7786
asbestos, lead, etc)
Precision Works 800-375-7786
Serv Pro (Howard) 818-993-9339
Sky Blue Env (Kathy Blodget) 818-373-4966
V&M Restoration (Craig Huss) 818-349-3473
NOTARY
Malibu Mobile (24 Hrs – Joyce St.Claire 310-457-8833
Cell 310-463-3988
Rosalind Thompson 310-457-5890
Cell 310-701-0210
Ardi Youngster 310-454-0113
PAINTING
Paul DeFalco 949-279-9618
PEST CONTROL (see also TERMITE SERVICES)
Strategic Pest Management (Rich) 310-322-5001
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mike McCreary 323-931-1983
Nick Springet 310-392-5166
PLUMBERS
A & B 310-456-2542
Bender Plumbers 310-394-6435
Burt Plumbing 323-876-1300
Cardoza’s Plumbing 310-839-9892
Clark Plumbers 310-478-5011
Tim Davies 310-450-4256
Alex Ducworth 310-451-3331
Edgar 818-402-1143
Gordon Plumbers 310-451-4212
Jim Houston 310-287-5596
Kendall Plumbing (Curtis) 310-390-9029
McDermott 310-456-2286
Mosser 800-559-7586
Palisades Plumbers 310-454-5548
Pete the Plumber 323-654-5404
Val Ramos 310-450-7271
Joe Rincon 818-377-9705
Stewart Plumbers 323-469-5851
3-D (Durand) 805-497-9717
POOLS & SPAS
Addison Pools 818-981-5861
American Leak Detection 805-965-1000
805-374-0403
Apollo Pools 310-477-3061
Aqua Sheen 310-275-4128
Culver Pools (Bob Culver – inspections) 661-285-2251
John Crystal 818-885-0004
Southwest Pool Service 310-640-7189
Taylor Engineering (Brent Taylor – leak 800-252-0070
detection)
Mark Voll (service) 310-457-0474
POWER WASHING
Paul’s Professional 818-249-7917
RAT AND RODENT CONTROL / REMOVAL
Acrobat Pest Control 888-306-7378
Mike Cooley’s 800-233-3626
RETROFIT
LGS 800-771-5971
Metro Retrofitters 800-450-3660
RENTALS (short term)
Citrus Suites 310-943-7200
Hillcrest Apartments 310-785-0955
Oakwood Apartments 310-751-4585
Hotel Oceana 310-393-0486
The Palazzo at Park LaBrea 888-218-0583
Venice Beach Suites 310-396-4559
Wilshire Westwood 310-470-4474
ROOFERS
Aspen Roofers 310-338-1507
Butler Roofing 310-320-7333
Bond Roofing 323-936-0534
Steve Chambless 818-343-2997
Coastal Roofing (Steve Harper) 310-455-2827
Cell 310-614-3480
Culver City Roofers 310-313-1592
Dunham & Myers 323-678-7825
Four Seasons (Thomas Roofing) 310-317-9595
J&J Roofers 818-255-1935
John & Ken’s Roofing 818-506-0969
Frank Lopez 323-734-0441
McCormick Roofers 818-709-2650
Olympic Roofers 818-993-0029
Santa Monica Roofers 310-829-4439
Silverman Roofing 310-399-0888
SCREEN REPAIR & REPLACEMENT
Paul’s Professional 818-249-7917
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
C&S Septic (Ely Simental) 805-488-2632
City Design (Bob Selah) 805-522-0474
Ensitu Engineering 805-772-0150
Escobar Contracting, Inc. 310-828-0129
Goldek / Sewer Location 818-240-2666
Andy Gump (cleaning) 800-992-7755
JS Construction (Jim or Chuck0 818-888-2556
Microseptec 949-522-0474
Roy Bros 310-457-4935
(or) 310-456-8405
Richard Sherman 310-455-2189
Barton Slutsky 805-499-6620
Larry Young 818-883-8585
SEWER LOCATION AND VIDEO
John White 310-261-2514
STAGING
STONE CLEANING & SEALING
Stone Pros 323-883-0805
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Brian Cochran 310-477-4517
MacIntosh & MacIntosh 323-662-1184
Gordon Polon 310-998-5611
T.A. Purkiss 818-952-2972
Robert Reiss 323-937-8696
Bryce Richmond 818-347-5948
David Weiss 818-224-3973
Richard White 818-955-6687
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
(Drainage, Pilings, Seawalls)
Edwardo Jarquin 310-644-4134
Stuart Kregstein 805-658-9172
Bob Newlen 310-456-8750
Pacific Engineering 818-227-8090
(Reg Browne - beach)
Servtech 310-826-5347
(Ken Watanabe/Ken Molder)
Dimitry Vergun 310-457-4222
Kelly Wong 310-394-9775
(Structural, foundations)
SURVEYORS
Victor Beck 818-346-6962
Becker/Miamoto 323-661-9009
David Grimes 323-223-1011
Hennon & Associates 818-566-9844
Tom Iacobellis 818-366-9222
Land & Air (Mark Sandstrom) 310-456-9381
Cell 805-338-4427
M&M 818-885-1100
Paul Marfield 310-398-1447
John Macneil 310-455-2013
Mollenhaur Group 213-624-2661
John Murphy 323-294-3601
Peak Survey (Dave Widmer) 805-497-0102
George Psomas 310-450-1217
Mario Quiros 310-456-8022
Robert Reiss 323-937-8696
Lawrence Schmahl 323-773-1675
Larry Vadaz 818-763-8074
Louis Zehfuss 818-368-8616
TENNIS COURTS
Malibu Pacific 818-707-3797
TERMITE SERVICES
A-Advance 323-931-5858
Boddie 310-839-9270
Bottom Line 800-750-5758
Darby 323-666-1661
Dewey 323-661-1361
John Charles Evans 323-655-7606
Home Savings 310-391-0682
McKernan 818 781-4410
Morgan 818-968-9371
Paramount 323-664-1921
Pioneer (Pat Harrington) 323-292-0591
Tallon 310-636-0249
Top 213-365-8900
Yamaguchi 323-663-1161
THRIFT DONATION
Goodwill 323-221-5231
National Council Jewish Women 323-655-3111
St. Joseph’s Center 310-396-6468
St. Vincent De Paul 800-974-3571
TREES
J & J Service 310-471-4200
Bernard Segala 310-559-3628
TREE TRIMMING
Cruz 310-419-4262
Johnson 310-393-5700
Lamas 323-461-7138
Alfredo Mireles 310-837-3689
VALET PARKING
Chuck’s Parking 818-788-4300
WALLS
WATER PROOFING
WINDOW CLEANING
Dave, the Window Washer 310-454-6780
Paul’s Professional 818-249-7917