A Seller’s Perspective
Planning ahead
Planning ahead Dear Phyllis, We have lived in our home for thirty years. Over the last several years, we have spent almost $15,000 on the outside. We have a new driveway, fresh paint and new drought tolerant landscaping. Five years ag...
Pricing to sell
Pricing to sell Dear Phyllis, Before listing my home I met with two Realtors. The first told me to price my home at $1,295,000 and expect to sell over the asking price. But he really couldn’t pinpoint how much higher, which made me ...
Keeping up with Termites
Keeping up with Termites Dear Phyllis, I am a widow and have owned my home for more than twenty years. Last year, my gardener cut down a couple of trees and we stacked the firewood in my driveway. My son-in-law was recently visiting a...
Liquidating an Estate: Alhambra fixer closed
Our Alhambra fixer closed! And this is how it happened: I sold a San Gabriel fixer for a trustee several years ago. And she recently referred me to her co-worker who was the trustee of her father’s estate. Often the trustee is overwhelmed wi...
Keeping an open house secure
Keeping an open house secure In several months I am going to sell my home. The RealtorI hired wants to have an open house. I know this is common but I am concerned about security. What kind of people should I expect to come during an open ...
Home Selling Action Plan
Home Selling Action Plan Dear Phyllis, I look forward to your real estate advice and now find myself seeking your counsel. My mother had a stroke and is slowly recovering. She has lived in her home for forty years and there is a lot of ...
How much of a discount do cash buyers expect?
How much of a discount do cash buyers expect? Dear Phyllis, I am the trustee for my grandmother, who recently passed away. I will be listing her home in San Diego. We had an estate sale and the home is now vacant. With her illness and...
Selling AS IS vs. AS REPAIRED
Selling AS IS vs. AS REPAIRED Dear Phyllis, My mother has lived in her 1500 square foot home for more than forty years. She has dementia and can no longer live alone. It’s time for me to move her to an assisted living facility. I wa...
