Selling Your Bay Area Home with a Homeowners Association: Three Tiny Tips with Big Impact

Understand Your HOA Rules

Before planting that 'For Sale' sign in your yard, it's vital to be well-acquainted with your HOA's rules and regulations. These often cover restrictions on advertising, guidelines for home improvements, and specific procedures for selling. Knowing these rules, as well as your morning coffee routine, is key to avoiding complications during the sale.

Illustrative Tale: Take the case of a homeowner who replaced their carpeted floors with hardwood in violation of their HOA's regulations. During an open house, this unauthorized change was noticed and reported by a neighbor, forcing the homeowner to revert to carpeting. This resulted in significant delays in the selling process.

In the Bay Area market, where buyers are sensitive to how long a property has been on the market, such delays can be detrimental. I recall a buyer who lost interest in a property due to similar issues revealed in the disclosure.

Your task, along with your realtor, is to thoroughly understand your HOA rules to avoid any delays in selling your property. Although your listing agent may take the initiative if your HOA manager is cooperative, you might need to be actively involved as well.

Highlight the Benefits of HOA

Living HOA communities often feature attractive amenities like pools, gyms, or clubhouses. It's important to showcase these perks in your listing to attract buyers. Also, emphasize any HOA services, such as lawn care, attractive to those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Consideration for Savvy Silicon Valley Buyers: Buyers in Silicon Valley are discerning and will weigh whether the range of amenities justifies the HOA fees. If they find certain amenities unnecessary or undesirable, the associated HOA fees might seem wasteful to them.

Thus, this can be a strong selling point if your HOA provides fewer amenities but charges lower fees. Many of my clients seek townhouses or condos with HOA fees under $300 per month, preferring to access amenities like pools, gyms, or clubhouses in their neighborhood if needed. Lower HOA fees can make them feel their money is being spent wisely.

Prepare HOA Documents in Advance (14-21 days) Prospective buyers will likely want to review the HOA's covenants, conditions, restrictions (CC&Rs), and other relevant documents such as meeting minutes or financial statements. Therefore, it's advisable to gather these documents well ahead of time to expedite the selling process.

Compiling these documents can be time-consuming; HOA management companies typically need 7-10 days to process and generate these documents, and this period may extend further during holidays or special circumstances. Consequently, I recommend applying for HOA documents at least 14-21 days in advance.

My Final Thoughts

In summary, the key tips are to know your HOA thoroughly and prepare early. This approach can help you avoid many potential issues.

Of course, there are other considerations when selling a property with an HOA. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to assist with your queries.

Client Testimonials

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Prefer TEXT?(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Three Tips for Selling Your Home in the Bay Area – No.1

In June 2023, while assisting my clients with their home sales, I identified three simple yet often overlooked factors that significantly impact the sale result. Our focus on these elements led to the highest sale price in 2023 for similar properties in that community.

1. Emphasizing Natural Lighting

Prioritizing natural lighting is key.

Ensuring an abundance of it can transform the interior of your home, making it appear brighter and more spacious. This creates a coveted indoor-outdoor ambiance, especially sought-after in the current Bay Area real estate market.

To maximize natural light, consider removing heavy blinds, curtains, or privacy films. However, it's wise to use semi-translucent privacy film to temper the direct afternoon sunlight from the southwest.

These are the best steps you can take if you’re selling a townhouse or condo, where you’re only authorized to adjust the interior of the property.

In cases where the homeowner has already moved out, as in our scenario, it becomes easier to manage. (Next time, let’s talk about coordinating in cases where the owner lives in the property while selling.)

For single-family homes, additional steps like removing external awnings or trimming trees can further enhance natural lighting.

2. Minor Repairs and Touch-ups

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This step involves smaller scale repairs, not extensive renovations like replacing cabinets, countertops, or flooring, or repainting the entire house.

Simple fixes can include addressing issues identified in inspection reports, removing and repainting over wall shelves or wallpapers, and replacing broken light bulbs or LED fixtures.

These minor repairs, often overlooked due to their simplicity, are crucial. They signal to potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained.

The cost of these repairs is relatively low, typically ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars for condos or townhouses.

In my experience, my clients often rest easy knowing I collaborate with skilled professionals to handle these repairs efficiently, ensuring a good return on investment and avoiding costly services like those found on platforms like Yelp!, which can be up to 1.5 times more expensive.

3. Strategic Staging Furniture Layout

The impact of staging on a property's sale price cannot be overstated.

I encourage those who rely on intuition to visit homes both with and without staging to see the stark difference it makes. For those who prefer data, the National Association of Realtors reports that staged homes sell for 6% more than their non-staged counterparts. Considering that staging costs range between $3,000 to $5,000, it's a worthwhile investment.

However, it's important to choose your staging wisely. Avoid realtors who skimp on staging costs, using worn-out or mismatched furniture, as this can negatively impact your home's selling price.

The Result?

The property we focused on not only achieved the highest price for its type in 2023 but also recorded the highest price ever paid by buyers for a similar property when considering interest rates.

If you're curious about my other home-selling strategies and client satisfaction, I invite you to read the testimonials from my clients. Feel free to choose any, and I'll facilitate a conversation with them. They are always eager to share their experiences.

For real-time updates and insights on real estate, don't forget to follow my Facebook page.

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE# 02177478

STAGING

One of the things you have probably heard about when it comes to selling a home is a very important process called “staging.” Staging is what you do to make your home as presentable and appealing as possible to the potential buyers.

The first question home sellers usually ask me is, “What do we do to stage and how much does it cost?” How much it costs depends on your home and what it needs but typically it is a minor investment. Let me give you an example: Mary loves wallpaper and has used it in the living room and the kitchen. Odds are, very few people are going to love Mary’s wallpaper. It will need to be removed and the walls freshly painted in neutral colors. Jane painted her kitchen and living room seven years ago and the colors are very deep and bold. Again, the odds of the potential buyer liking Deep Forest Green and Wild Moss in the kitchen are minimal. The rooms will need repainted in soft, neutral colors. Both Mary and Jane need to freshen their living rooms and kitchens. Mary’s will cost more because of the wallpaper removal. What staging will cost depends on the home but the cost is typically minimal compared to the benefit of a higher sold price.

Neutral colors, soft whites, light greys are the most popular colors to repaint because the light color makes the room seem bigger and brighter and allows the buyer to add their own touches.

As for what to do to stage the home, the two biggest things you can do to give yourself an advantage are 1) de-clutter and 2) de-personalize.

Years ago there was a famous writer who lived in Washington D.C. and wanted to sell his home. As his Realtor was walking through his home to give him tips on what to do, the Realtor saw a picture of the man and his wife shaking hands with the President. It was definitely a proud moment in their lives. The Realtor pointed to it and said, “Put that out of sight.” The seller objected, “But we are meeting the President!” The Realtor responded, “Exactly. And if a buyer likes the President, they will like the picture. If the buyer dislikes the President then they will dislike the picture. But in either case, the buyer is now thinking about the picture and not your house. Your house is where we want their attention.”

That is your number one guiding principle: Do what you can to keep the attention on the home.

So go through your house and remove anything that will divert the seller’s attention. Family pictures, interesting art, items from travel excursions. . . all should be put away.

We see with two eyes and that gives us depth perception. The best way to see clutter is to look through the lens of a camera, or by looking through a tube held up to one eye with the other eye closed. Looking without depth makes clutter more evident. Once you see it, remove as much as possible from countertops and visible shelves. Put away those piles of things. Get rid of the old boxes stacked in the corner. Make sure the sink areas have minimal objects left in sight. (Soap is okay).

Toys put away. Clothing put away. Clothes closets as empty as possible. Any overly large pieces of furniture removed from social rooms to make them appear bigger. These are all things that will allow the buyer to see their possessions in place and make your home more appealing.

Staging is in essence showing off the best attributes of each area. Make sure that furniture is not oversized for the room it is in. That makes the room look smaller. Adding fresh flowers in pots to the entrance, making sure the lawn is neat and trimmed, making sure appliances are spotless in the kitchen and laundry areas. . . these are all things that should be done to make your home more fresh and attractive to the buyer.

These are general guidelines. I always walk through with my sellers so that we always highlight the best parts and remove anything negative that might detract from the home’s appeal. It may seem drastic on paper but the goal is NOT to empty the house. (You never want a completely empty house). Our goal is to make everywhere the buyer looks to be the most attractive visually and emotionally as it can be.

As much as we want your home to be as bright and spacious as possible, we need some things present for the buyer to have perspective. (And for you to still live comfortably).

Staging a room is what you do to show off its best characteristics but if you cannot (like in an empty home) and you do not want to hire a professional staging company, adding a few pieces of furniture should be your least effort to help the buyer see themselves in your home.

In an empty living room the buyer has no idea (from looking) what they can do. But if you add just an easy chair, a side table and a standing lamp, the buyer can visually imagine their sofa as the same size as three chairs and place the sofa where it might go. I had a empty master bedroom once that when we added a queen sized bed it became evident that a king would easily fit. Furniture, sometimes even one piece, will give needed perspective.

One thing to bear in mind when it comes to staging, or any other part of the sales process, is that when you deal with me and the One Bay Area Agent Team you are dealing with professionals who will guide you every step of the way to make sure your home will sell in the fastest way and for the highest amount the market will allow.😎

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT?
(650) 739-9796

What’s this Blog for?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards selling and buying houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there, but those are not catered specifically towards the Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight.

Who Am I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2016, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting over one hundred real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them start their new chapter and make their vision a reality.

What Is My Promise?

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are interested in buying a house, again as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted advisor to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - feel free to reach out. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

How to Determine Your Asking Price in the Bay Area Housing Market

So, you want to sell a house. You discuss your asking price—sometimes called a list price—with your real estate agent to determine the ideal amount to request. Often, discussing the list price is a topic which can result in serious discussion, even arguments.

From the home seller’s point of view, it’s generally assumed that the asking price should reflect the amount they want to be paid for their house. In several markets, a seller may decide his house is worth $1 million and consequently list his home for at or just above a million dollars.

Don’t. Do. That.

Why?

In the Bay Area housing market, the transaction price of a home is always higher than the asking price. While this is not the same in other parts of the country, the Sold/List Price Ratio for the Bay Area is statistically above 100% in most housing transactions over the pact few decades.

The buyers in these areas are used to transaction prices being higher than the asking price, so the seller may think, “If my asking price is $1 million, then the buyer will bid $1.05 million, or even $1.1 million!”

It’s not that simple.

Most buyers are using a buyer’s agent who will provide them with a comparative market analysis which equips them with the value of the house. If they know the house is worth $1 million, why then would they pay more?

Consider also the steps involved in buying a house. Several buyers utilize search software such as Redfin, Zillow, or their agent’s program to sort through their home search and find the best fit for them. One such way to search is to filter by price, which makes setting an appropriate asking price even more important.

Although a buyer might have a budget of $1 million, knowing that houses will sell above the asking price, they may limit their search to homes that are listed at $950K or lower. This will eliminate the home listed at $1 million from the search, and the seller has lost a potential buyer.

The solution

Consider your asking price as a piece in your marketing, and list lower to capture the higher-paying buyer.

If you have purchased a home in the Bay Area, you have most likely experienced the frenzy and irrational activity of a multiple-buyer scenario. Sellers wish for and anticipate this scenario as they sell their home, but how do they attain it?

The answer is simple: Lower the asking price below the ideal transaction amount.

If your target price is $1 million, list your home at $950K. As we discussed, a large number of buyers will expect an asking price below the selling price, and you will attract buyers with budgets as low as $950K while also attracting your higher-paying buyer. You receive the lower offers, and those become leverage for countering and creating a buyer frenzy. Your potential buyers experience the fear of missing out and a manic bidding contest begins to win your home. In their determination to beat out the other buyers and win the bid, you will very likely see buyers put in final bids above your asking price. That $950K asking price has garnered you a $1.08 Million home sale!

Disclaimer: Remember, when formulating an asking price, analyze the specific area first. For example: from Burlingame and Millbrae down to Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Los Altos, most people set an asking price just below the expected selling prince. In Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and other South Bay Area cities, the asking price may be set much lower than the market price. Contact a realtor for best selling strategies and an optimal asking price.

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Understanding MLS

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Services. It acts as a system for realtors to post information, and its primary function is to allow listing agents to share homes for sale. The buyer agent can check the MLS system to see if there are properties which suit their buyer’s needs.

Nowadays, real estate websites commonly used by buyers, such as Redfin and Zillow, draw data from MLS to display real estate listings.

MLS is often considered the most important marketing tool for those selling properties. You may decline doing an open house, and you can skip broker tours, but you must ask your realtor to include your property’s information on MLS.

(image from pixabay)

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

Prefer TEXT/CALL? (650) 739-9796

WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for Many years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478

Out with The Old and In with the New: Use of the Internet Sells Your Home Faster

One of the first steps to selling your home is searching for that stellar Realtor who will work in your best interest to sell your beloved abode quickly and at top dollar. You may not know what makes a great Realtor; however, if you do your research, you will find that marketing is crucial!

A real estate agent that knows today’s modern market and how to promote the sale of your home is essential. The crazy fun world of social media, websites, and apps are more than just a pastime. These innovative features create an opportunity for far-reaching advertising and promotion.

My passion is to sell your home, and I am a firm believer in using the Internet as a useful tool to do so. In fact, my clients get buyers making offers, just because those buyers seeing the ads that I run on Facebook/Instagram. As a Realtor in the Bay Area, I want to reach as many people as I can to present your home and attract buyers right to your front steps.

The Methodology Behind My Internet Marketing

The broad scope of my marketing plan with every home I list for sellers just like you: feature your property like it is my own. Showcase it in as many areas online that I can. I may not have big secrets to my strategy, but I use the tools in front of me to every advantage.

The Proof is in the Numbers

It may seem obvious to some, but many do not realize how significant internet marketing is when it comes to selling a home. The new generations rely on the Internet for much of what they do. They work, they play, they buy, and they browse on the Internet often for a variety of reasons.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Internet, in 2017, ranked at 49% as the method in which buyers found their new home. (NAR Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers) What could be better than that? The traditional ways such as newspapers and for sale signs only ranked at 1% and 7% respectively. That’s a significant difference.

Facebook/Instagram

 Facebook/Instagram is a great platform to promote homes for sale. With many followers and by way of Facebook ads, your home is put in front of more viewers than classic advertising has ever done. I like to create posts about your home, share the photos and description and at the same time engage possible buyer’s that want to see your home. It is easy to get a hold of me on Facebook/Instagram, and all my information is there, so when I post your home, and someone is interested, the process is quick and straightforward to set up a showing.

 When I feature your home on Facebook, I do so professionally and strategically. Choosing the best times to post, using the best photographs and descriptions, you can be assured I take care in all of my Facebook/Instagram promotions.

You’re probably curious how many potential buyer I could reach

Website & Internet Real Estate Sites

Not only do I have a personal website, but my broker has an awesome one as well. Your home will receive attention by way of listing an advertisement on our website. We will use great photography to catch the attention of a multitude of the high traffic that visits the site each day.

Also, when we create your listing, your home will automatically load to real estate sites such as Redfin & Zillow. My agency has a special relationship with Redfin & Zillow, so when someone sees your home and is interested, they will get to me, not just anyone. So, you know with our powerful web advertising, your home is in trusted hands.

For those unique Showcased properties, I can also list them on Realtor.com which has been known to elevate clicks more than other real estate sites. In addition, when a potential buyer wants to inquire about your home, they will receive my contact information so I can help them directly and work to accept an offer for your property. The advantage of Realtor.com’s platform is the ability to showcase more photos and even upload a virtual tour which creates more attraction.

Conclusion

The importance of finding a real estate agent who knows how to market your home to sell it fast and for top dollar is genuinely a significant factor in the selling experience. You can easily find peace of mind with my promotional strategies. Your home will be featured in places that buyers spend time looking in this new age of the Internet, including Facebook/Instagram, and popular real estate sites.

(image from pixabay)

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Client Testimonials

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WHAT’S THIS BLOG FOR?

Before I started my career as a real estate agent, I found it quite difficult to find informative articles or websites that provided accurate information catered towards buying and selling houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yes, there are some out there on REDFIN or Zillow, but those are not catered specifically towards the San Francisco Bay Area. Sometimes, even tips and facts regarded as common knowledge aren’t applicable and outdated from a Bay Area perspective. My original intention of starting this blog, was to help shed some light on the seemingly inscrutable real estate market. As a real estate agent who has been practicing for several years, I wanted to provide accurate and relevant information to those who might be interested in buying or selling a home.

If you’re curious and want to learn more about buying and selling in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this website might be a good starting point to gain some insight!

WHO AM I?

My name is Chiuho Lin. I first found my calling for real estate in 2015, while I was looking for a new home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I found myself inexplicably drawn to this profession and after meeting hundreds of real estate professionals, I made the decision to become a real estate agent myself. To me, being a real estate agent is rewarding not only because I love meeting new people, but also because I have the privilege of helping them find their new home. A home is an essential aspect of people’s lives where families make happy memories together. I am so glad that as a real estate agent, I can help make their vision a reality.

WHAT IS MY PROMISE?

If you are interested in buying a house, as an agent I can promise you that I will be present in all stages of the buying process. This includes everything from consultations to address all your concerns, investigating real estate to find a home that suits all your needs, visiting the houses, providing insights on the neighborhood, assessing the current conditions of the homes that may require additional attention, read various reports filled with technical jargon, to helping you understand contracts. I ensure quality care and commitment in the entire process from start to finish.

If you are interested in selling, then the process would start from an initial consultation, to price assessments, market analysis, repair advice, time-to-market recommendations, staging assessment, style selection, housing listings, posters, social media promotion, marketing media selection, follow-up on house delivery. Once again, I will be active and present in the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 As a professional, I take pride in my work ethic and ensure the utmost care and consideration while working with all my clients. I’d like to consider myself a trusted adviser to ensure a phenomenal experience throughout your buying/selling process. With that being said, if you ever need a professional consultation or assistance with anything - for example, gardening/landscaping, property manager property lawyer, paint master, decorator, roof repair master, loan broker, registration accountant - please feel free to reach out! I am genuinely passionate about what I do and hope that I can help share my knowledge with you all.

Chiuho Lin DRE#02007082
Keller Williams Thrive DRE#02177478