Optimum Realty & Financial Services Frequently Asked Questions

(877) 303-1623

Optimum Realty’s staff helps Northern California clients buy and sell properties.
Q: Does my house need to be in move-in condition before I sell it?
A: "For the most part, buyers are looking for homes that are in move-in condition. If you know you’re going to be selling your home, put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. What would make your home look more beautiful? Consider re-painting the interior and exterior with neutral colors. Think about refinishing your floors or remodeling your kitchen. All these things will add value to your home and make it sell quicker."
Q: Can you help me stage my home?
A: "Absolutely. We work with a company that stages homes so they get noticed by buyers. Homeowners aren’t always aware of the importance of staging their houses—people have an emotional response to your home when it shows beautifully, so it’s crucial to make the first impact with a potential buyer as positive as possible."
Q: How long will it take to sell my home?
A: "The selling process really depends on the property, so it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate. First, we have to decide what type of buyer would be interested in your property. Then we determine the percentage of buyers that would have an interest. We’ll do our best to sell your home as quickly as possible. In today’s market, the median number of days for a single family home to close is 41. That means an equal number of homes have closed after more than 41 days as less than 41 days."
Q: Do I have to move out of my home when I put it on the market?
A: "Not necessarily. Staging is easier when you’re not living in the home, but if that’s not feasible, we’ll work with you to make the property as attractive as possible to potential buyers."
Q: Do I have to disclose problems with my home before I sell it?
A: "If your home has a serious defect, it’s in your best interest to disclose it—if you don’t, the buyer might come back, acknowledge you knew about the problem and follow through with legal action."
Q: How do I determine the value of the property I’m selling?
A: "Whenever we determine the value of a property, the first thing we do is pull a ‘property profile,’ which gives us important information about when the property was built, its square footage, etc. Then we look for comparable sales in the same neighborhood sold within the last six months that are no more than 10 years older or younger than your property, and where the size of the square footage is no more than 25 percent larger or smaller than your property. Finally, we determine the value by taking all the above parameters into account, as well as the condition of the comparable sales compared to your property."
Q: How do I decide where to start looking for a new home?
A: "Where do you currently live? Do you like the neighborhood? Can you identify other neighborhoods that you’d like as well? Once we get a feel for your preferences, we’ll look at your financial situation and recommend the best locations."