Written by Andrew Wong, REALTOR® · California DRE #02440199 · Lifetime Real Estate
Published · Updated
Key takeaways
Start with goals and timing
Price against current competition and property condition
Prioritize preparation that supports the sale
Compare complete offer terms, not only price
Define the outcome and constraints
Clarify why you are selling, your preferred timeline, whether another move depends on the sale, and which decisions require certainty before launch.
Discuss occupancy, repairs, access, privacy, showing availability, and important transaction dependencies early.
- Target timeline and possession
- Next-home or relocation dependencies
- Property access and showing plan
- Known condition and document questions
Develop a pricing position
Pricing should consider recent comparable activity, current competing homes, property condition, location within the area, improvements, and the strategy for entering the market.
An online estimate cannot see every property detail. Andrew's valuation process begins with the home and the seller's actual objectives.
- Recent comparable activity
- Current competition
- Condition and presentation
- Location and property characteristics
Prepare and present the property
Prioritize preparation that supports buyer understanding and the marketing plan. The right scope depends on the property's condition, likely audience, timing, and expected return—not a generic renovation checklist.
Photography, written presentation, showing readiness, and accurate information should work together to make the property easy to evaluate.
- Repairs and maintenance priorities
- Editing, cleaning, and presentation
- Photography and marketing materials
- Showing and access plan
Evaluate offers as complete packages
Price matters, but financing, contingencies, deposit, requested credits, timelines, included property, and confidence in execution can affect the seller's decision.
Andrew can organize the terms and help the seller compare tradeoffs while appropriate professionals address legal, tax, lending, or other specialized questions.
- Price and financing
- Contingencies and deposit
- Credits and included property
- Closing and possession timing
Manage disclosure and closing milestones
Sellers should complete required information carefully and on time, maintain the property as agreed, and track transaction milestones through closing.
Keep communications and wire instructions secure, confirm important requests independently, and retain final transaction documents.
- Disclosures and document delivery
- Buyer investigations and appraisal
- Negotiations and agreed repairs
- Signing, funding, recording, and possession