How To Effectively Market Your Home For Sale in Del Mar, CA

Del Mar, CA is a world-class destination for vacationers and those looking to invest in luxury real estate. The real estate market in Del Mar, CA is often competitive and many of its luxury properties are highly sought after. Del Mar has plenty of properties for sale which are good for long-term or short-term investments.

In March 2024, the home selling market in Del Mar, CA was balanced. This means that the ratio of sellers to buyers was about equal. While there may have been enough buyers in this kind of market, you as a home seller will still want to make an impression on buyers. You want your property to stand out so that it sells more quickly. This guide will allow you to do just that with tips, tricks, and best practices on how to market your home for sale effectively.

Del Mar Real Estate Market: An Overview

Del Mar real estate has always been desirable. The town’s great location, weather, and high quality of life are some of the factors that drive up the demand for homes in this area of San Diego County.

Quick overview of Del Mar, CA real estate

Source: Realtor, March 2024

• Average days on market: 24 days
• Home prices: Up 2% since 2023
• Median list price: $4 million
• Average days on market: 38 days (down from 74 days in January 2024)
• Sale-to-list price ratio: 99.5%

Property types and typical home features

Many of the properties in Del Mar boast sprawling grounds and lots, spacious interiors, multi-car garages, and occasionally, private beaches.

Typical amenities include spacious kitchens with large kitchen islands, top-of-the-line appliances, a home theater, a private pool, and beach views. Homes near the beach typically feature large windows to maximize views and large outdoor living spaces that blend into the indoors.

Homes in Del Mar, CA come in a variety of architectural styles including Craftsman, Mission Revival, and other Contemporary styles.

Prepare Your Home For Sale

Selling real estate involves planning and preparation prior to being listed. If you’re thinking about how to market your home for sale in Del Mar, CA, here are a few tips:

• Increase the actual and perceived value of your home

  Repairs and renovations can increase the value of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers. It’s easy to overlook the small signs of wear and tear but, if left unaddressed, these can develop into bigger problems and lower the property’s overall value.

  List down the issues you see per area and note which repairs and improvements must be prioritized. If you’re not in a rush to sell you can also invest in renovations that will increase the value of your home.

• Make buyers want to enter your home

  Sprucing up your home’s exteriors is a great way to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Improve curb appeal by keeping your front yard tidy and trimmed at all times, and the exterior of your home looking well cared for.

• Understand what buyers want and stage your home accordingly

  According to Realtor.com, staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more compared to homes that haven’t been staged. On the surface, the main objective of staging your property is to market it to potential buyers during an open house. Another equally important objective is to allow the buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. Get rid of personal items and, with the help of professional stagers or upon the advice of your agent, make your home look as attractive as possible to a wide pool of buyers. Decluttering makes the space look and feel larger. And stagers will know how to reconfigure furniture and furnishings to highlight the best features of your home.

Create A Winning Marketing Strategy

Marketing includes all the activities that promote and sell your property, from listings and online ads to market research and videography. Here are a couple of tips on how to effectively market your home for sale.

• Make the most of online and offline marketing

  Generally, there are two ways of promoting real estate: offline and online marketing. Offline marketing involves promotional brochures, newspaper ads, direct mail campaigns, open houses, word-of-mouth advertising, and event hosting.

  Meanwhile, online marketing uses listing platforms, social media, and other aspects of the internet to reach your target buyer. This may involve creating a website or blog, email marketing, virtual staging, paid social media promotions, drone photography, asynchronous home tours, and more.

  It’s common to see home sellers combining both marketing methods into their overall marketing strategy because doing so helps them cast a wider net.

• Use every tool to show off the best parts of your home

  Professional videos and photos highlight the best parts of the property, create a great first impression, and help potential buyers visualize themselves in the space. Good photos equal more leads, referrals, and more people viewing your listing.

  Here are a couple of types of real estate photography:

  • Drone photography. Drone videos offer a breathtaking and dynamic view of your home that normal photography/videography methods may not be able to achieve. Drones work best on homes with unique architectural styles, striking views, and desirable locations.
  • 3D virtual tours. Nowadays, one can go on a house tour without ever leaving their home, thanks to 3D virtual tours. Not only is this convenient for potential buyers, it also allows them to review the home without having to drive to the location (especially if they’re abroad or out of state) or being constrained by time.
  • Floor plans are another way to help potential buyers envision the property they’re interested in.
  • Virtual staging allows you to showcase your home without breaking the bank. And like other methods of real estate photography, buyers can view the material in their own time.

• Write compelling property descriptions

  Photography and visuals in general make up about half of your marketing strategy. Writing makes up the other half. Property descriptions are the written parts of the real estate ad.

  An effective property description creates an image of the property through words. It should include details like the address, neighborhood, interior features (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, basement, attic, bonus rooms, entertainment areas, etc.), exterior features (number of cars that can fit in the garage, decks, balconies, swimming pools, hot tubs, or outdoor kitchens, etc.). Other things you can highlight include the property’s proximity to schools, public transportation, and amenities.

Price Your Home Right

While you’re developing your marketing strategy, you should also consider how to price your home. Herr’s how:

• Establish the market value of your home

  To do so, consider the following:

  • Comparative market analysis. This compares your property to similar homes (comparables or “comps”) that were recently sold in the same area. Look for properties with similar characteristics such as size, location, age, condition, and features.
  • An appraisal. Conducted by a licensed professional who provides an unbiased estimate of a property’s value based on thorough inspection, market analysis, and comparison with similar properties. Lenders often require appraisals during the mortgage process.
  • Market conditions that can affect property values like supply and demand, inventory levels, interest rates, and economic trends.
  • Location. A significant determinant of a home’s value. Measure security in terms of gated enclaves or the privacy the surroundings provides. Measure convenience in relation to your home’s proximity to good schools, parks, shopping, recreation, transport, and city centers.

• Decide on a pricing strategy

  • Price your home ABOVE market value
    Some sellers choose to list their properties above market value, with some real estate professionals suggesting prices that are 10-15% higher than market rates. While this tactic can be risky, it may also target potential buyers willing to make strong offers. However, success isn’t guaranteed, and it’s essential to carefully weigh the potential benefits against the risks involved.
  • Price your home BELOW market value
    When setting prices for properties, a recommended approach is to aim for a range of 10-15% below market value. This strategy broadens the pool of potential buyers to encompass 75-90% of the market. It’s particularly beneficial when aiming for a swift sale, especially in a competitive buyer’s market.

• Employ negotiating techniques

  There are several methods you can employ at the negotiation table to get your asking price:

  • Counteroffer at your list price
    A counteroffer signifies your willingness to negotiate and reach a mutually acceptable amount that’s as close as possible to your desired price. It is also used to deter lowball offers.
  • Orchestrate a bidding war
    Don’t entertain offers until after the open house. This approach sets the stage for potential buyers to compete against each other, often resulting in higher offers as they strive to outbid one another.
  • Set a deadline on your counteroffer
    This strategy encourages the potential buyer to make prompt decisions to accelerate the sale of your home or allow you to entertain other offers.
  • Agree to pay closing costs
    While closing costs are typically shared by buyer and seller, with the buyer often paying a smaller share out-of-pocket, you can hasten the sale of your house by agreeing to take on 100% of all costs. A seller’s closing costs include title fees, transfer of ownership fees, property taxes, homeowners association (HOA) fees, and commissions, which historically meant 5% to 6% of the sale price of a home.Talk to your agent about the pros and cons of this move.

Work With Real Estate Professionals

Take the guesswork out of selling your home in Del Mar, CA. Work with a real estate professional. Contact us here. 

Selling your home can be overwhelming, considering a myriad of details that need looking into. Fortunately, real estate agents take the guesswork out of the selling process.

• Real estate professionals will guide you through the entire selling process, from planning to closing.
• Real estate professionals have the expertise, knowledge, and network to provide solid answers to your question on how to effectively market your home for sale and how to price it competitively.
• Real estate professionals can also help you with staging, photography, and marketing and connect you with vendors, other industry professionals, and former clients.
• Real estate professionals represent you when dealing with potential buyers.
• Real estate professionals can advise you on things like what repairs to undertake, when to schedule open houses, and what methods you can use to maximize the price and marketability of your home.
• Real estate professionals can sell your home more quickly.

Schedule Open Houses And Showings

Open houses are occasions for potential homebuyers to tour your home. This is a great way to generate interest and market your property. For some buyers, having an in-person look at your home is better than digital walkthroughs because it gives them a better understanding of the property, its layout, and the general vibe of the neighborhood.

Here are some tips to help you plan and execute a successful open house:

• Choose the right date and time

  When is the best time to host an open house? Specifics differ depending on the location and season. But in general, more people are looking to buy homes during the spring (May or June) and summer months (July or August).

  In addition, more people are available for open houses during the weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday, especially if it’s a holiday weekend like Memorial Day. The best time to hold an open house is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Advertise your open house

  Your real estate agent can help you market your open house and even recommend what time to advertise it on social media. Typically, open houses are trumpeted through flyers, posters, and online posts to maximize audience reach.

• Prepare your home

  There are three Ds to remember when preparing for an open house: deep clean, declutter, and depersonalize. The goal is to make a good impression on potential buyers. It’s also important to note that sprucing up your home’s exteriors is just as important as fixing up the interiors. You can also hire a professional stager or ask your real estate agent to help you with staging. Keep valuables in a safe or store them in a place far from prying eyes.

Understand The Closing Process

This is the home stretch, but it’s also a misunderstood part of the home selling process. Here’s a simplified run-through of what’s involved in this final phase:

1. Reviewing documents. During the closing process, various legal documents are reviewed and signed. These typically include the purchase agreement, loan documents (if applicable), and any other paperwork required by local regulations.
2. Payment. The buyer provides funds to cover the purchase price of the property, typically through a combination of a down payment and a mortgage loan. The seller receives payment for the property.
3. Title transfer. The title of the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. This involves the recording of the deed and other legal documents with the appropriate government authority.
4. Escrow. In many cases, funds are held in escrow by a neutral third party until all closing requirements are met. This ensures that both parties fulfill their obligations before the transaction is finalized.
5. Prorated payments and adjustments: Certain expenses, such as property taxes and homeowner association fees, may be prorated between the buyer and seller based on the closing date. Adjustments are made to ensure that both parties pay their fair share of these expenses.
6. Title insurance. The buyer typically purchases title insurance to protect against any defects or claims on the title of the property. This ensures that the buyer has clear ownership of the property.
7. Closing costs. These may include fees for loan origination, title search, appraisal, attorney services, and more.
8. Final walkthrough. Prior to closing, the buyer usually conducts a final walkthrough of the property to ensure that it is in the agreed-upon condition and any negotiated repairs have been completed.
9. Signing documents. Once all documents have been reviewed and any outstanding issues resolved, both parties sign the necessary paperwork to finalize the transaction.
10. Recording. After the documents are signed, they are typically recorded with the appropriate government office, officially completing the transfer of ownership.

Before tying up all loose ends at closing, make sure to consult your real estate agent about any other paperwork you need to provide or sign. Homebuyers need to be present at closing because they need to sign loan documents.

As a home seller, however, you can choose not to attend closing provided that you pre-sign the deed and other documents, or give your lawyer a power of attorney (POA) to sign documents on your behalf. But it’s still best to consult your real estate agent. Proceeds of the sale can also be transferred directly to your bank account.

Sell Your Home Now With The Help Of The Experts

Selling your Del Mar, CA home involves time, planning, and plenty of paperwork. There’s also the question of how to market your home for sale effectively. But with the help of real estate professionals, you can ensure the ease of the selling and marketing process.

If you’re looking to sell your home in Del Mar, CA, or anywhere in San Diego County, we at Sean Caddell & Associates are more than happy to help. Our firm specializes in coastal luxury, equestrian properties, and new developments.

Together, we can help create a strategy to make your property stand out and gain buyer attention. With the backing of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the prime brands in real estate, we have the resources, cutting-edge tools, and massive network to help you market your home in Del Mar, CA with the best returns and the least stress.

Achieve your real estate goals with us. Contact Sean Caddell & Associates at 858.472.1074 or send us an email.