If you have invested in Newport Beach real estate, you already know about this highly desirable area. Newport Beach is known for its incredible beaches, swimming, and surfing. It is also host to one of the largest recreational harbors on the west coast, drawing in those who love boating, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Residents of Newport Beach also enjoy the high quality of fine dining, cultural, and boutique shopping available here. If you are planning to sell your luxury home in Newport Beach this year, you may have some questions about exactly what you need to do to get started. Especially when selling during a time of low inventory, it’s important to partner with someone who is great at cultivating relationships and making connections. This can lead to becoming aware of off-market listings, and in turn, when selling, they can help your listing take off and connect you with buyers before it even appears in public searches. Who you work with matters, and here are some other pointers for when it’s time to sell.
Determine your goals
The first thing you need to do before you consider selling Newport Beach real estate is to determine your goals. Be sure to set a budget with regard to your upcoming sale. This may include costs for staging your home, completing repairs, packing, moving, and storing. You should also factor in any closing costs and other expenses related to the transaction. Once you know your budget, consider the best time for you to list your home. The warm summer climate in Newport Beach means you do not necessarily have to consider a certain season to sell. You may want to investigate the trends of the current real estate market, though.
Prepare your home
Preparing your home for a successful sale involves taking the time to declutter, make repairs, and stage.
Declutter
Your first step to preparing your home for listing is to declutter. Clear the doorways and entryways, remove piles or stacks from flat surfaces, and limit the number of items on display. You want potential buyers to see the special features and spaces of the home itself and not be distracted by unnecessary items. Once you have decluttered, then you will need to depersonalize your home by removing personal items and family pictures on display. This allows potential buyers to start visualizing themselves and their possessions in the home. Once this is done, deep clean every room in your home until it sparkles.
Repair
Your next step in preparing a Newport Beach home for sale is to take a careful look around. Complete small repairs, including fixing loose hardware, replacing light bulbs, and oiling squeaky doors. You want potential buyers to see your luxury home as move-in ready without being distracted by a list of repairs they would need to make prior to moving in. Consider whether your walls need a touch-up or if any rooms should be repainted in the neutral colors many buyers prefer. Check the exterior of your home and consider whether any landscaping touch-ups are needed. Avoid any extensive remodeling projects. This will only increase your timeline, and most buyers would prefer to remodel to their own tastes.
Stage
Once your home has been decluttered and any repairs have been completed, decide whether you should invest in staging. Staging is not simply decluttering and depersonalizing the rooms of a home. Professionally staged homes specifically showcase the functionality of each room, highlighting special features and the amount of space available. In addition, professional staging tends to bring home sellers a higher rate of return on their investment.
Hire the right real estate agent
An experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent will help ensure a smoother and more successful home sale.
Communication
When you hire a real estate agent, make sure they demonstrate clear and professional communication skills. They should be able to explain processes clearly and respond to your questions and concerns in a timely manner. Your real estate agent should ask you questions about your real estate goals and understand what you are hoping to accomplish. They should immediately clarify your preferred communication style and then commit to using that method consistently. A great real estate agent will also have savvy negotiation skills that will benefit you throughout the process of your sale.
Knowledge
Your real estate agent should demonstrate an understanding of the real estate market, especially as it relates to trends in Newport Beach. They should speak to the type of market you are entering, as this may affect the amount of time your house may stay on the market and whether buyers may be expecting concessions. Ask to see a portfolio of their listings and record of sales, especially regarding similar homes in the luxury market. They should provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) to outline the research behind their recommended price listing for your home. Your agent should also be deeply familiar with Newport Beach, so they can speak to the amenities, outdoor recreation, and school systems of interest to potential buyers.
Marketing
An agent experienced with selling Newport Beach real estate should also outline their marketing plan for your luxury home. Plan on the use of professional photography to showcase your home at its finest. This should also include the use of special shots, such as drone and twilight, that will draw in potential buyers who first see your home online. A virtual tour may also be recommended, as this may be an important factor for buyers who are not able to stop by in person. Expect to see those professional photographs used in direct mailers, personal invitations, and magazine spreads too. Ask your real estate agent whether they would recommend an open house for brokers, as this can be a great way to generate interest in your listing and reach even more potential buyers.
As you move forward with selling your luxury home, remember these tips to help you get started. Determining your real estate goals, preparing your home for listing, and hiring an experienced, knowledgeable agent will help you to have a satisfying experience. When you are ready to talk more about your Newport Beach real estate for sale, reach out to a real estate group that meets these criteria. The Summer Perry Group specializes in Newport Beach and the surrounding coastal neighborhoods in Orange County. They also have an extensive knowledge base in marketing residential luxury real estate. Contact the team at Compass to get started today.