Seller's Bill of Rights
I promise you this:
Thorough Diligence;
Clear Communication, even if it leads to difficult conversations;
Complete Honesty. I hold myself accountable for every deed I do (or don't);
100% Loyalty. I never forget that I am here to serve your interests and needs.
There is no formulaic, one-size-fits-all all approach for selling a home. Let’s set up an initial, informal meeting at your home and get to know each other. I don’t bring reams of sales material and market data with me (although I can if you wish), because every home is different. I want to listen to you and understand your home better. Only then should we discuss the best strategy for selling it.
An Agent Who Understands What Selling Really Involves
Selling a home in San Diego is an emotional process, not only a financial one. You're letting go of a place that holds years of memories, and John works with sellers on that as much as on pricing and paperwork. More than one seller has been surprised, even moved, by how plainly he names what they're feeling.
Common Seller Mistakes to Avoid
Two biases trip up a lot of sellers. The first is assuming a buyer will love the same quirky touches you do. The distinctive kitchen or unusual layout that won you over may leave the next owner cold. The second is anchoring on a neighbor's high sale price without asking what drove it: timing, condition, and how many buyers were competing that week.
Thinking about selling? Get a free home valuation, talk with John, or check the San Diego market reports. More neighborhoods: Mission Hills · Hillcrest · North Park · University Heights · all neighborhoods.
Selling a Home in San Diego: Questions, Answered
What's my San Diego home worth right now?
It depends on your neighborhood, your home's condition, and what buyers are paying right now, more than on what a comparable house nearby sold for. John builds a pricing strategy around your home and your situation instead of a rule of thumb. Start with a free home valuation.
Should I renovate before selling?
Not always, and not the way you'd expect. Buyers don't always value what a longtime owner loves, so put your money toward changes with broad appeal rather than personal taste. Having built and renovated homes himself, John can tell you which fixes are likely to pay off and which to skip.
Why did the house down the street sell for so much?
Usually a mix of things unique to that sale: its timing, its condition, and how many buyers were bidding. Treat it as one data point, not a number your home will repeat. John looks at the full set of recent sales near you before recommending a price.
How much does it cost to sell a house in San Diego?
The largest cost is usually agent commission, which is negotiable and agreed in writing, plus escrow, title, and any concessions you agree to with the buyer. Depending on your profit, you may also owe capital gains tax. John gives you a net-proceeds estimate up front so you know what you'll walk away with.
How long does it take to sell a home in San Diego?
From listing to close, a typical San Diego sale runs a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on price point, condition, and how the home is priced against the competition. Well-priced homes in strong neighborhoods can move fast, and overpriced ones sit. John builds a timeline around your home and your goals rather than a market average.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my San Diego home?
Often you don't. If the home was your primary residence for two of the last five years, you can usually exclude up to $250,000 of gain if you're single or $500,000 if you're married filing jointly. Gain above that, or a second home or investment property, can be taxable. John isn't a tax advisor, so he flags this early and points you to a CPA before you list.