Real Estate Q & A – Episode 1

We realize that you may have questions about San Francisco and Bay Area real estate. Our goal is to answer all of those questions! Here are answers the hottest questions asked on our social media channels and website.

Q: What makes a strong purchase offer?

A: As you may expect, selling price is a key component of any offer. However, we also encourage a Seller to look at how likely the Buyer is to close the deal. Fewer contingencies means fewer obstacles to reach the final sale. Proof of funds / lender preapproval is important as it shows that the Buyer can afford their offer price. Of course a letter from the Buyer to the Seller never hurts either!

Q: Is staging the home really worth the cost?

A: Staging a home with furniture gives the buyer a sense of scale and helps them visualize what a room feels like as they tour through each room. Staging also provides a better product for photographs and video. This matters because a Buyer’s first impression is often through online marketing. We have seen Buyers respond more favorably to staged homes which can lead to faster sales and higher offers. Staging companies also provide insightful consultation for paint colors, light fixtures, faucets and overall harmonization of the home.

 Q: When will open houses return under the COVID-19 health crisis?

As of today, the return of public open houses is presently an unknown. We are monitoring the guidelines regularly and have adapted our marketing to include virtual media including walk-through video tours & virtual open houses. Note that buyIng or selling real estate can continue under the current guidelines. In fact, we have have put four properties in contract over the last week, representing both Buyers and Sellers. If you are looking to make a move, please get in touch today for more information.

If you have a question, we have the answer. Please let us know on social media or by commenting below!