What Is a CMA? How San Diego Sellers Can Read a Comparative Market Analysis
A CMA, or comparative market analysis, is a report that estimates a price range for your home by comparing it with similar homes that sold nearby, plus homes that are for sale or pending. It is the main pricing tool most San Diego agents use before you list. It is an estimate of what buyers are like
Open House vs. Private Showings: Which Works Better When You Sell in San Diego?
Open houses and private showings both put buyers inside your home, but they work differently, and most San Diego sellers use a mix. An open house brings many visitors in a short window, including neighbors and casual browsers. A private showing is a scheduled visit with a serious buyer and their age
Off-Market and Pocket Listings in San Diego: Pros, Cons and the Rules Sellers Should Know
An off-market or pocket listing is a home that is sold without being fully marketed to the public, and the national REALTOR® association has rules that limit how that can work. A seller can still choose a quieter route, but only with a signed form that says what exposure they are giving up. This gui
Coming Soon vs. Active Listings in San Diego: What Sellers Should Know
A Coming Soon listing tells buyers a home is about to hit the market, but under current San Diego MLS rules, nobody can tour it until it goes Active. Coming Soon status cannot last longer than 30 days, and it allows no showings, open houses or broker tours. Active means the home is on the market and
When and How to Reduce Your Price When Selling a Home in San Diego
A price reduction makes sense when your home has had enough time and exposure but is not drawing showings or offers, and the fix is usually one clear cut, not several small ones. San Diego sellers often hesitate because a cut feels like a loss. In practice, the first price is a guess about what buye
Capital Gains Tax When You Sell Your San Diego Home: How the $250,000 and $500,000 Exclusion Works
Under federal tax rules, many people who sell their main home can leave out up to $250,000 of the gain from their income, or up to $500,000 if they file a joint return with a spouse, as long as they meet the ownership and use tests. San Diego homes have gone up in value for years, so a lot of seller
Selling and Buying a Home at the Same Time in San Diego: Options, Risks and Timing
If you need to sell your San Diego home and buy another one, you can sell first, buy first or try to close both on nearly the same day, and each path has a different risk. Selling first gives you cash and certainty but may leave you without a place to live for a short time. Buying first gives you a
Escrow Timeline for San Diego Sellers: What Happens From Accepted Offer to Closing
Escrow is the period between an accepted offer and the day the home officially changes hands, and for many San Diego sales it runs about 30 days, although the contract sets the real dates. A neutral escrow company holds the money and papers while both sides complete their tasks. This guide walks sel
What a Low Appraisal Means When You Sell a Home in San Diego
A low appraisal means the lender's appraiser valued your home at less than the price in the contract. The lender will only lend based on the lower number, so the buyer, the seller or both have to deal with the gap. It does not mean the deal is over. This guide explains how an appraisal works, how of