2020 REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS ANSWERED: BY JENNIFER CARSON

YOUR 2020 REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

BY JENNIFER CARSON

Q:

C O M PA R E T H I S A R E A T O O T H E R A R E A S .

WHY IS THE 805 A GOOD PLACE TO BUY OR SELL IN 2020?

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Historically and generally speaking, homes have continually appreciated and make for a

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We are surrounded by beautiful scenery, amazing restaurants, wineries and amenities at our

sound long-term investment.

fingertips, providing for a relaxing lifestyle. With more than 150 hiking, walking and biking

trails spread across the local Santa Monica mountains, there is no shortage on available ac-

tivities, including being within 30 minutes to beaches and in close proximity to skiing. All this, accompanied by a strong education system and safe neighborhoods makes 805 living a very desirable consideration.

Q:

W H AT D O Y O U F O R E S E E F O R T H E R E A L E S TAT E M A R K E T IN 2020?

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Continued low interest rates and low inventory with steady demand will continue to regu-

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With a current strong economy, 2020 will likely mirror that of 2019 with a strong and steady

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late prices in an upward direction

market for both Sellers and Buyers and slight increase in pricing The CA Association of Realtors projects the following for 2020: The median price of a home to increase by 2.5% Home Sales to increase by .08%

Q: •

W H AT A R E Y O U L O O K I N G F O R W A R D T O I N T H E U P C O M I N G Y E A R I N R E G A R D T O R E A L E S TAT E ?

Continuing to assist sellers and buyers and their families in realizing their goals and living the American dream through home ownership. There is nothing more satisfying with being able

to use my experience and extensive background towards assisting clients in what is one of, if not THE most important investments in their lifetime.

Q:

W H AT S H O U L D B U Y E R S / S E L L E R S C O N S I D E R I N T H E N E W YEAR WHEN THINKING ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING? •

Determine with your agent as well as CPA/Tax Attorney as to best timing, based on your

specific needs and goals as to when may be best to sell or buy. Additionally, holding both your primary residence or investment property for specific timeframes may assist in maximizing your overall return or ability to defer taxes.

Q: • •

W H AT S H O U L D Y O U B E A S K I N G Y O U R R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T IN 2020?

Ask for references and industry experience

Accurate price determination is essential. Ask for market data to review specific to your

neighborhood specific to recent sales. Have a clear understanding of how those homes may compare to your own when used in the determination of valuation and list price of your own

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Q:

home

Ask for assistance in determining how much you can afford to buy and understand what that equates to. What is the importance of obtaining a pre-approval from a lender before shopping for a home?

What steps can be taken in preparation of a sale to maximize the overall return?

What are the timeframes involved in selling or buying a home? Understand what to expect during the escrow process

W H AT I S Y O U R O P I N I O N O N T H E M A R K E T I N W E S T L A K E V I L L A G E A N D T H E S U R R O U N D I N G A R E A S ? W H AT D O Y O U SEE HAPPENING IN 2020?

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Home Values in Westlake Village have gone up .07% over the past year and expected to continue to rise throughout 2020. The median list price is currently at $1,275,000 and

price per square foot at $527. Values continue to outweigh that of neighboring areas. In comparison, the average price per sq. ft. in the LA area comes in $443.

Q:

H O W S H O U L D S E L L E R S P R E PA R E T O S E L L I N 2 0 2 0 ? W H AT ARE THE TOP THINGS TO DO TO YOUR HOME BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THE MARKET?

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Work with your agent in order to best understand your competition and how to set your property apart from others, as well as how to appeal to the maximum number of Buyers. 75% of Buyers shopping experience will be online, first impressions count!

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Choose the right Realtor® - having the best possible representation is key. An experienced

professional will assist in correctly determining home value, marketing strategies, negotiating the best possible price on your behalf, as well as providing insight on potential investment

strategies in order to maximize your long-term real estate investment goals whether relative to •

a primary residence or investment property.

Stage your home to sell with easy and inexpensive steps: 1. Declutter, remove personalized items

2. Conduct a deep cleaning, clean out closets, organize belongings,

3. Repaint or touch up with neutral colors, both on interior and exterior of home

5. Let the light in! Open up window coverings, add lighting to areas

6. Maximize curb appeal – trim shrubs, remove cobwebs, plant

remove excess furniture

4. Replace out of date fixtures, faucets, knobs and hinges with current ones

that are otherwise dim

flowers, place a welcome mat at the door

Jennifer Carson • CalDRE 01864984 • 805.448.7880 • jennifer.carson@evrealestate.com ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. Information gathered from various sources online. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.