Staging frequently comes up in my communications with clients listing their homes. The question varies, but it’s usually something along the lines of “Is it worth it to stage my home?” The answer varies depending on the needs and situation of each client (and the state of their home), however I can broadly say that professionally staging a home provides some of the best ROI (Return on Investment) out of what you might do to a home prior to sale. While there is a small percentage of buyers that can readily imagine a home in it’s ideally-decorated state, most of us lack that specific imagination – it’s very hard to do. For that same reason, it’s often tough to visualize how a property comes across to potential buyers staged vs unstaged. And, what about the idea that a home shows best (and appears more spacious) when there’s nothing in the home? Recently, I came across the perfect opportunity to highlight the difference professional staging can make and to share a few home staging tips. I cover many of the benefits to staging, along with common misconceptions in this article, and in the accompanying video where I do a walk-through of two similar properties, one unstaged, the other professionally staged.
Home Selling Tips – Why Access is So Important
Recently there were two homes for sale on the same street in a nearby coastal community here in San Diego. The owners of each took very different approaches to providing access to potential buyers, and the results were pretty stunning. More on that below. When you list a home, as a seller you typically have a lot of control over how you want the property shown. Let me give you an insider’s perspective on what access is, what it looks like in the real world, and its impact on how quickly your home sells and at what sales price.
San Diego Home Prices by Neighborhood
Like much of California, San Diego is known for having high home prices. What many home-buyers don’t realize is how much variation exists among San Diego neighborhoods. While some neighborhoods see median home prices double or even triple that of the median for San Diego County, there are still desirable neighborhoods below the median price … Read more
Mission Hills Neighborhood Guide
Mission Hills Real Estate is highly desired given that the neighborhood is one of the oldest and most preserved areas of San Diego. With charming craftsman-style homes, safe and secure neighborhoods, and good schools, it tops the list as one of the best areas to live in San Diego. Mission Hills is close to just … Read more
La Jolla Neighborhood Guide
La Jolla is a gorgeous and affluent seaside community that stretches 7 miles along the San Diego coastline. Filled with amazing views, great shopping, food, and fun, it is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods that San Diego has to offer. La Jolla rarely disappoints. This community is home to Scripps Aquarium and is also … Read more
Coronado Neighborhood Guide
When I first came to San Diego, I knew Coronado was one of the must-see areas of the city. It is a beautifully put together area of San Diego, and this small island is bursting at the seams with character and charm. As you cross over the Coronado bridge from the I-5, you are met … Read more
Why List with Sotheby’s International Realty
When I first chose a career in real estate, I wanted to find a company best positioned in the San Diego marketplace, that also had a powerful position nationwide and worldwide. I also wanted to find a fit with the strongest branding and marketing. I interviewed with five local real estate offices, including Pacific Sotheby’s … Read more
Buyer Questionnaire
Finding the ideal home is no easy task. For some, a home must perfectly match a long list of criteria to make the cut. For others, “I’ll know it when I see it” takes precedence over any specific criteria. Even when it may seem like you are looking for a needle in a haystack, there … Read more
Point Loma Neighborhood Guide
In 2004, after an exhaustive real estate search that covered most of San Diego County, my wife and I purchased a home in Point Loma. When we began our home search, Point Loma was on the short list of ideal neighborhoods to move into, followed closely by Mission Hills. Temperate ocean breezes, stunning San Diego … Read more
