Market conditions in the Coachella Valley are hard to describe. Sales for the valley are lower than a year ago and lower than two years ago. However, this comparison is misleading because sales two years ago were at an all-time high. Also, some cities in the valley are down significantly, some are down moderately, and some are actually higher than last year.

Home prices have been about the same this year as they were last year, but again this varies by city. We are finding that homes in higher price brackets are selling well and entry level homes are selling well in some areas. The mid-range homes are selling particularly well if they are in top condition and nicely decorated. It takes a bit longer to sell a home in this market, but homes are selling well if they are priced right and marketed properly. There are plenty of bargain hunters in the real estate marketplace right now. They will make “lowball” offers just to see if you are anxious to sell. Don’t be discouraged by them. They don’t represent the real value of homes in the area.

The “baby boomer” generation is just starting to arrive at retirement age. Economists expect that they will have a very strong influence on the real estate market in retirement areas. Our area is one of the most popular retirement areas in the US.

We have an excellent computer program at our office that will give you an estimate of what it costs to sell your home. Give us a call and we will put in an estimated sale price, what you owe and give you a “bottom line” estimate of what you will receive.

Recently, several on-line services have emerged which will "tell you what your home is worth." We recommend you consider this information as a ball-park average. We have seen the same size home on the same block vary in selling price by as much as 30-40%. The price your home will bring depends on condition, features (inside and outside), market conditions (which can vary by neighborhood), style, charm, current decor trends and many other factors. We are always available to give you a free market analysis of what your home may sell for, based on an actual visit and our knowledge of your neighborhood.

Since you own a home in California, you are somewhat familiar with the terminology and process of selling a home. Click here if you’d like a refresher on California Real Estate Terminology. If you would like to look over a sample Listing Agreement or other documents, we will be happy to send them to you. And if you have questions, please feel free to call.

Selling a home can have significant implications on your taxes, particularly if you have not been using the home as your primary residence. Since we are not tax experts, we cannot give advice to you in this respect. We strongly suggest that you consult a tax professional regarding the tax implications of selling any property.