Where do I even start?
It's tempting to start by cleaning out closets. I'd start with the money instead, because it answers the questions that keep you stuck: can you afford the next place, how much can you spend on it, and is it worth fixing anything before you sell.
That's the first step of my Show-Ready-Seller® System. I'll show you what your home is worth right now and what it could be worth with the right updates, plus every option you have for selling it. We call that the EPIC® Report. It's free, and you can request it here.
Do I need to renovate before I sell?
Usually not. The biggest mistake I see with long-time owners is spending money on updates buyers barely notice. I'd rather put your money into the few things buyers see in the first 30 seconds: paint, lighting, flooring, curb appeal, and anything that looks like a repair project.
If you don't want to touch anything, that's a real option too. Selling as-is costs you some price, and I'll show you exactly how much so you can decide. More on that on my selling as-is page.
When we do prep, my S-R-S® Concierge coordinates the contractors, cleaners, staging, and media for you. You don't spend your weekends chasing vendors.
What do I do with everything in the house?
Take it in pieces. Decide what's coming with you first, then what goes to family, then everything else. You don't have to empty the house before we list it, but it does need to be clear enough that buyers can see the rooms.
We'll build the prep and move-out timeline around your life, not the other way around. If you need more time after closing, that can be negotiated into the deal.
Should I buy my next home before I sell this one?
It depends on your money and your stress tolerance. Selling first means you know exactly what you're working with, but you might need a short-term place in between. Buying first means one move, but you need to be able to carry both homes for a while or make an offer that depends on your sale.
I've helped plenty of clients line up both sides so the timing works. If buying first sounds like you, read how buying before you sell works.
What should I know about taxes before I sell?
Taxes are one of the first questions long-time owners ask, and there isn't one answer. It can depend on how long you've owned and lived in the home, how title is held, what you've put into the property over the years, and what you plan to do next.
There are federal and California rules that can come into play when someone sells a long-held home. Examples include the federal capital gains exclusion for a primary residence and California's Prop 19, which deals with property tax for some homeowners 55 and older who buy a replacement home. Whether any of them apply to you, and how, is a question for a CPA or tax advisor.
I'm not a tax professional, and nothing on this page is tax advice. What I can do is get you and your CPA the numbers early, like a realistic sale price, so you can plan before you list instead of after.
How long does the whole thing take?
Prep usually takes a few weeks, depending on how much work we decide to do. Then the house goes on the market, and once we accept an offer, escrow in California commonly runs about 30 days. We'll build your actual timeline in our first conversation, working backward from when you want to be moved.
Can my kids be part of this?
Please bring them. A lot of my downsizing clients come to me through their kids, and it helps when everyone hears the same plan at the same time. If you're the adult child helping your parents, I wrote a page for you: selling your parents' home.
