Sell your home with Lyon

If you're considering selling your home, it's important to do your homework. You'll want to do the right preparation in order to obtain your goal of selling your home for the best price, even in a market that favors sellers. Buyers tend to prefer homes with curb appeal that do not require a lot of work after purchase. Often, only for a small investment, you can spruce your home up with paint, carpet, and possibly professional home staging, depending on the condition of your home and furnishings. Start by finding an agent you can trust to work with to arrive at the right price.

Step 1 — Price your home right

The biggest mistake to avoid when selling your home is over pricing it. All home sellers have a price in mind that they'd like to receive for their home. If you're thinking about selling, contact a Lyon agent who will provide you with a detailed market analysis of your home's value at no cost or obligation. Your agent will also help you evaluate your home's condition and features and how these factors should be factored into your projected sales price. Some real estate agents promise you that they can get a certain amount for your home, but homebuyers are savvy and will know if you overprice your home. This will mean missing out on the serious homebuyers who will seek properties that are more reasonably priced.

Step 2 — prepare your home for showings

We've all done it -- accumulated a little bit too much stuff and the result is clutter. Buyers are looking for a home that is in move-in condition, so you'll need to spend some time making your home immaculate before the Open House signs are set out. First, declutter so all surfaces are cleared of paperwork and unused or old appliances. Next, depersonalize your home by removing family photographs, paperwork, even Grandpa's favorite lounge chair. Buyers will be able to envision themselves living in your home if it's clean, de-cluttered and de-personalized. Your agent will consult with you to determine if staging is necessary, as this often places for-sale homes at the top of the buyer's list.

Step 3 — we market your home to the world

Obtaining the best price is about bringing you the right buyers for your house. This is achieved through a combination of a solid marketing plan, targeted media exposure, and taking advantage of our powerful network of local and out-of-town buyers. Lyon Real Estate agents are able to provide global exposure in addition to strong local exposure for your home. As an affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, Lyon has the resources to market your home to the highest audience of potential buyers. When you list your home with Lyon, it will receive exposure to buyers on six continents through 565+ member firms' websites. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® is a pedigree denoting the very best companies who represent qualified clientele and wish to do business with similar firms. Each year our network is collectively responsible for over one million transactions on a global basis.

Step 4 — negotiating offers and closing your home

Negotiation is the key to getting the best outcome, and can involve everything from settling on a sales price to concessions and financing. When an offer is presented, your agent will help you negotiate the best possible price and terms. If the offer is not acceptable to you, further negotiations may be necessary to reach terms that are agreeable to you and the buyer. Don't be afraid to make a full-price counter offer if your home is priced competitively. The contract writing procedure, down payments required, building inspection contingency dates and other aspects of the transaction are part of this process. Throughout the transaction, your agent will work with you to closely monitor the progress of all contingencies to make certain that deadlines are met. Closing is a formal process where all parties sign the necessary paperwork needed to complete the sale. Title to the property is transferred from you to the buyer.

Market Snapshot

Track activity in your Neighborhood.

Market Snapshot is an interactive report that charts market activity of homes in your area—from recent sales to active listings, current inventory, and days-on-market—giving you a clear picture of your neighborhood.

The Snapshot is based around a specific property (your current home or a property in which you are interested in buying). Set up as many Snapshots as you wish and monitor market activity in your community or a specific area that you choose.

Learn More

Four Reasons a Property Sells

1Location
2Price
3Condition
4The Right Agent

Reason 1 — Location

There's very little a seller can control about location, but it's one of the most important factors affecting a buyer's selection. It's not just the specific city, suburb, or neighborhood, but the amenities that exact location provides. Buyers will consider schools, parks, traffic, accessibility to highways or commuting options, sidewalks, commerce, hospitals, and crime.

Reason 2 — price

What you originally paid for your home (plus renovations) will have very little do with the asking price. Comps (comparatives) are the essential tool in determining a home's value. You will need a comparative market analysis, comparing what homes your size in your neighborhood sold for in the last year. Sellers rarely get a 100-percent return on recent repairs and upgrades (some have more impact than others) but those elements still play a part in the overall sale.

Reason 3 — Condition

Condition ranges from curb appeal to the overall structure and safety of your home. Fewer buyers will want a home that needs major work, so replacing a roof or repairing plumbing or heating/air systems can be beneficial. Minor upgrades or “freshening up” a home is vital. Fresh paint, replacing bad carpets or flooring, fixing doors and windows will put buyers at ease. Cosmetic enhancements like staging, de- cluttering, and creating a fresh and inviting space will make your home stand out to buyers.

Reason 4 — The Right Agent

Everyone knows at least one real estate agent, but the key is to find the right one to sell your home. Lyon agents work with sellers to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes professional photography, a full market analysis, recommend contractors and vendors, assist with staging, assist with negotiations, help navigate contracts and terms, and most importantly, keep the lines of communication open and provide regular updates.

Moving Out of the Area

Lyon Real Estate is a proud member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, the largest independent real estate network in the world. All Lyon associates have access to the out-of-area relocation resources through LeadingRE and are connected with their experienced affiliates. One phone call and you'll access these powerful resources to relocate:

Personal Move Advocate
Needs Assessment Interview
Assigned real estate professional at your destination
Home marketing assistance to list your local property
Property Management Services (link) in the Sacramento area if you aren't selling your home
Short-Term Housing Assistance (in select locations)
Moving and Storage Assistance (in select locations)

When you're ready to make a move, we're ready to help. For more information please contact our Out-of-Area Referral Specialist at: 916-978-4212.

Find the Right Agent

Selling a home is likely one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make and it's essential that you hire a knowledgeable Realtor who is available and enthusiastic about working with you. It's a good idea to ask your friends and family to refer their trusted real estate advisor and to interview at least three agents. You will be spending a fair amount of time with your Realtor, so it's important that you pick an agent with whom you feel comfortable and that you trust. Transaction experience and extensive knowledge about local market conditions are important. But it's equally important to find out how the agent conducts business, when he or she is available to show homes and provide counsel, and to compare notes on each other's preferred methods of communication.

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