Selling your Pacifica house in 2025?
It might seem like you’ve got plenty of time – and you might based on your schedule. But you know how fast 2024 whizzed by?!
In this article, we’ll explore three things: actionable steps you can take today to get ready; what’s at stake if you delay; and how I can guide you every step of the way.
What We’ll Cover in This Article
- The benefits of starting your home-selling journey early.
- Actionable steps to get your home ready for the market in advance.
- Key opportunities that Pacifica house sellers often miss when they wait until the last minute.
- How early preparation can save you time, money, and stress.
- Why working with the right real estate agent makes all the difference.
Why Start Planning Now to Sell Your Pacifica House?
I don’t like to be late. In fact, I’d rather be so early that I have to wait. It gives me a chance to settle from the drive, maybe check voice mail, and then breathe for a few minutes. Be present.
By starting earlier, you’ll avoid some stress and give yourself a chance to breathe. You might be able to increase your home’s potential to get a higher price. You’ll definitely put yourself in position for a smoother transition.
If you’ve been in your house a while, this is going to be a huge move. You can give yourself an opportunity to process all the upcoming changes.
Selling your Pacifica house is probably the biggest financial transactions you’ll make. It is for most people. Actually, forget about the financials – think about the stress involved in getting everything done!
Getting started early will help make decisions easier. You won’t be pushed to decide and then later wish you would have done it differently. It’ll also add time for you to prepare for the inevitable surprises and potential difficulties of the process.
Bill Gassett, Realtor® advises, As a Massachusetts Realtor for nearly forty years, I can tell you that some sellers have smooth home sales while others don’t. Much of success is having an exceptional agent in your corner and pricing properly. Other subtle things should be done to ensure a stress-free transaction.
Here’s why starting early matters:
Market Knowledge
The real estate market can change a lot even in a few months. And depending on how fast things are happening, it can change dramatically in a few weeks.
By starting early, you’ll have time to review market trends and have an understanding of market expectations are before you start.
Linda Mar Rancher
I started working with the seller of a Linda Mar rancher in February of 2022. I learned right away that this was going to be a complicated sale. There were 12 heirs. And every one of them had to sign every document.
Getting Started
There were tenants in the property. They needed to be out before we could do anything with the house. It definitely needed carpet, cleaning and painting. Once we got the inspections, we found out we needed to do more than carpet and paint.
The market was improving for sellers. Houses were selling fast and for over the asking price. They were happy with the price I anticipated the house would sell for. That was based on the schedule we planned.
We got the contract and disclosures going while the tenants packed. I started scheduling the house prep once we knew exactly when they’d be out. I got keys to the house about a month later and started working to prepare the house.
Estimates, Contractors, and Inspections
Estimates were submitted for the cleanup, interior paint, and light landscaping.
The house is located in a flood zone. And, unfortunately, we learned after removing the carpet, that a flood in the 1980s ruined some of the hardwood floors. It was less expensive to replace the carpet than add hardscape flooring. So that’s what they decided to do.
The Foundation
The general property inspection indicated that the foundation and crawl space need further inspecting. We got the foundation expert out to take a look. We had to unless they wanted to chop the list price way down by trying to sell a house when we didn’t know what was wrong with it.
The house was in a flood zone and had some work done to mediate the possibility of future flooding damage. But the work hadn’t been done well. The heirs decided it was best to do the work correctly and eliminate any concerns by prospective buyers. It was a fairly quick project but another delay none the less.
Documents and Disclosures
We didn’t have the benefit of having local sellers who were familiar with the market and the ton of paperwork that has to be completed. And a dozen sellers wasn’t all of it. They were in different parts of the world too!
We continued getting documents ready and waiting for the engineering company’s start date. Landscaping and interior painted started. The clock continued ticking.
The House Goes on the Market
The house went on the market five months later. The market was totally different. It had switched from a high seller market to a buyer market. They lost about $200,000. Granted they never actually had that money so losing it isn’t exactly accurate. But they lost the probability of getting it.
If we had been able to start getting the house on the market earlier, we might have been able to get in on that hot market. Most sales are not this complicated. I haven’t talked to any agent who sold a house that had 12 sellers. However, there are complications that come up. So this is just one example of why you should start as early as possible.
Maximizing Value
Addressing repairs, updates, and staging early allows you to present your home in its best possible condition. This can make a big difference in attracting buyers and securing top dollar.
Deciding what repairs, upgrades and/or updates should be done along with your favorite realtor. I’ve seen too many sellers over-invest in remodeling that buyers hate. Just because it’s remodeled doesn’t mean it’s going to increase the value of the house. Choosing the right realtor to give you advice of what to do with your property is crucial.
It’s not necessarily true that everything should be white. Or that the trend you’re seeing on HGTV is the best for your area or neighborhood. Be sure to get good advice based on sound knowledge.
Shabby upgrades or the wrong finishes will ruin any progress you worked hard to make and pay for. And it’ll cost you. The value of the house will not improve. It might even decrease! Buyers who don’t like the changes may want to take them out and start over. They’re not going to pay the higher price for work they don’t like. They may knock the price down based on the work they have to do to make it fit their likes and needs.
Less Stress
Starting now means you can create a schedule and spread out tasks over time. That will avoid the panic that comes with rushing at the last minute. It will also enable you to buy things that you prefer or are on sale. You’ll avoid having to buy whatever is in the store because you need it now.
Financial Preparation
Preparing a home for sale comes with expenses. The smallest things add up quickly. Early planning gives allows you to budget for repairs, updates, and moving costs. Planning ahead may even get you discounts.
Again, you can buy items as they go on sale at the end of the season or holiday. Perhaps you can buy closeouts or floor models to save money.
Hire Your Realtor Early
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right realtor. Many sellers wait until they’re ready to list, but hiring your agent early can save you time and money in the long run. Here’s why:
Expert Guidance
A seasoned realtor can provide insights on what buyers in your area are looking for and suggest specific improvements that offer the best return on investment. It’s terrible when sellers make changes – especially expensive ones – that aren’t going to give them a return on the money they spent.
Your agent can tell you where to spend your money for the best benefit.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Without expert advice, you might invest in updates that don’t add value or overlook issues that could delay your sale. This is never good news. Realtors can provide contact info to reliable vendors, let you know what the must-do projects are. And keep you from overspending on unnecessary work.
Market Preparation
Realtors have access to tools and resources that can help you understand what’s happening in your local market, so you can set realistic goals and timelines. Knowing market trends will take a load of stress off. You’ll be informed and educated to know the best list price so you can get the best sale price.
Professional Network
A good realtor connects you with trusted contractors, stagers, and other professionals who can help get your home market-ready. Agents know how much projects should cost and can tell you when you’re being overcharged or you’re getting a good deal.
One of the most important services a realtor can provide is access to their professional network. They know who to hire – and who not to hire!
Timeline Planning
Working with an agent early allows you to develop a clear timeline for repairs, listing, and closing, reducing last-minute scrambling. You’ll have a clear picture of when will happen and when. That will certainly ease some of your tension and frustration.
What Happens If You Don’t Prepare Early?
Waiting until the last minute to prepare your home for sale can lead to unnecessary stress and lost opportunities.
Missed Opportunities to Boost Value
Without enough time to make improvements, you might leave money on the table by selling a home that doesn’t shine. Upgrades don’t have to cost a lot of money. You can get great cost-saving ideas from your realtor.
Rushed Repairs
Scrambling to fix issues right before listing can lead to higher costs and lower-quality work. When you begin preparing early, you’ll have a better choice of who to work with. The schedules for best contractors and handymen are going to fill up first. They can be booked for months. So the sooner you call and get on their calendar, the better.
Longer Time on the Market
Homes that aren’t properly prepared usually take longer to sell – unless they’re underpriced. No seller wants to do that! The longer your home sits on the market, the less appealing it becomes to buyers.
Pricing Mistakes
Without adequate market research, you might price your home too high or too low, either scaring off buyers or leaving money behind. The way not to price your house is to say what you need or want. It’s important to price it at what it will sell for. Now, if that is also close to what you want or need to net, that’s great. But that’s not the way to start out.
Low-ball offers are a bad sign of choosing the wrong list price. An expired listing is an even worse situation.
Paul Sian, Realtor® says, The longer the home has been on the market with no offers the more likely that there are some issues with the listing that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Increased Stress
Have I mentioned stress? Selling your Pacifica house is already stressful. Waiting too long amplifies the pressure, making the process overwhelming and exhausting. Give yourself a better chance for a positive outcome by starting early.
How Early Preparation Saves You Time, Money, and Stress
Planning ahead offers clear advantages, including:
More Control
You’ll have time to make thoughtful decisions about repairs, updates, and staging.
Cost Savings
With time on your side, you can shop around for the best contractors and materials instead of overpaying for last-minute fixes.
Attracting Buyers
A well-prepared home stands out in the market, attracting serious buyers and competitive offers.
More Delays
Early preparation reduces the risk of setbacks, such as inspection issues or appraisal concerns.
Peace of Mind
Knowing your home is ready to hit the market when you’re ready to sell allows you to focus on the next chapter of your life.
Actionable Steps to Start Planning Now
Hiring a Realtor
Begin with an expert who knows the Pacifica market and can guide you through the process. Work with someone who you can communicate with. Someone who returns your calls quickly. Answers all of your questions. Gives you good advice, not just the advice that suits them.
Evaluate Your Home’s Condition
Schedule pre-listing inspections to identify potential issues. There are specific inspections to order before choosing the final list price and going on the market. Inspections like a general property and pest and organism are a must. Use inspectors that are familiar with Pacifica and its geography. An inspector that knows the flood zones.
Make Strategic Updates
Focus on cost-effective improvements like fresh paint, landscaping, and minor repairs. You may not like what your agent suggests. Remember, these aren’t repairs for you. They’re to attract buyers. The changes are to bring the most attention possible to the property.
Declutter and Organize
Start packing and clearing out unused items to make the eventual move easier. Get rid of anything you’re not taking with you. Moving costs are expensive. No point in packing and paying for a move on things you don’t want any more.
Plan Your Timeline
Work with your realtor to set a realistic timeline for completing tasks and listing your home. Only you can know how long it will take you to get a list of things done. Take a look at everything that needs to get done and work backwards. If you want to be on the market February 15th, count the number of days you have. Then figure out how much time you need for each project. A plan will help keep you on track to reach your mid February list date.
Understand Your Financial Picture
Review your budget for house sale prep. Get a net sheet from your agent to learn how much money you’re likely to end up with. Talk to your tax person. You’re probably going to have to pay capital gains. Find out before you start how much that is going to cost you. And talk to your financial advisor about your future plans.
Conclusion
Selling your Pacifica house in 2025 might feel far off, but the time to start planning is now. Early preparation ensures you’ll be ready to make the most of your sale. Avoid common pitfalls, and transition to the next phase of your life with confidence.
As a Pacifica real estate expert, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s start planning for your 2025 sale today—you’ll thank yourself later.
Ready to get started? Reach out to me today to discuss your goals. Let’s create a personalized plan for success.
Vicki Moore, Realtor® specializing in home sales on the California coast of Pacifica. I can be reached via email: pacificalocals@gmail.com or by phone: 650-888-9268.