Lake Oswego, West Linn & Portland,OR
Selling a home you've made your own, at a price that reflects its value and on a timeline that works for you, is no small task. That's where I come in. My job is to help you navigate the twists and turns of the selling process, understand your options and make thoughtful decisions along the way, so you can move forward feeling good about both the sale and whatever comes next.
You don't need to have everything figured out before we begin. Together, we'll look at what matters most to you, what your home is worth in today's market, how best to prepare and present it to buyers, and how the sale fits into your plans for the future.
Because where you live shapes how you live. And sometimes, moving on is part of creating the life you want.
Before we talk about pricing, staging or putting your home on the market, I want to understand what's prompting your move.
Are you looking for more space, less maintenance, a different neighborhood or a home that better fits the way you want to live? Are you relocating, selling a longtime family home or simply beginning to wonder whether it's time for a change?
And what does your next home look like? Perhaps it's a single-level home with fewer stairs, a smaller yard, a neighborhood where you can walk to coffee, or more room for family and friends.
You may know exactly what you want. Or you may still be exploring your options.
Either way, understanding what comes next helps us make better decisions about selling the home you're in today.
If you're planning to purchase another home, this is one of the first questions we'll want to explore.
Selling first can give you a clearer picture of your budget and eliminate the uncertainty of carrying two homes. But it may also mean finding temporary housing or negotiating extra time to move.
Buying first may make the transition easier, particularly if you find a home you love before yours is on the market. The trade-off is that you'll need to understand how you'll finance the purchase and what happens if your current home takes longer to sell than expected.
There isn't one right answer.
We'll look at your finances, timing, the market for both homes and how much flexibility you have. If financing is involved, your lender can helps understand what's possible.
The goal is to make a move that works for your life, not simply one that looks good on paper.
It's usually one of the first questions sellers ask, and understandably so.
Online estimates can be a useful starting point, but they don't tell the whole story.
Two homes in the same neighborhood, even with similar square footage, can have very different values. Condition, updates, floor plans, location and how a home presents to buyers all make a difference.
To determine the best price for your home, I'll research and prepare a market analysis that considers recent sales, competing listings, current market conditions and the features that make your property unique.
We'll also talk about what you may actually walk away with after selling expenses, mortgage payoff and other costs.
If you're planning to buy another home, downsize or make a significant lifestyle change, understanding those numbers early can help you make better decisions about what comes next.
An online estimate is one place to begin, but a personal evaluation can tell us much more about your home's value in today's market.
An online valuation is a great place to start. To really find out the value of. your home, a personalized consultation is even better!
Schedule a free consultation with a top local agent who can help you estimate and understand your home's value.
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One of the things I enjoy most about real estate is helping sellers see their homes through a fresh set of eyes.
After years of living in a home, we become accustomed to the things around us. We may overlook a worn carpet, a room that feels crowded or a paint color that doesn't show the space at its best.
Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
And sometimes the best advice I can give you is not to spend money on something that won't improve your sale.
My background in design is especially valuable here. Together, we'll look at your home, discuss what buyers are likely to notice and decide where your time and money will be best spent.
Once you decide to sell your house, it's time to step away from your emotions and release your connection to your home.
Easier said than done, I know.
Maybe it's where you raised your family, celebrated holidays or spent years creating a home you love. Those memories matter, but prospective buyers won't have the same attachment.
They'll be imagining their own lives there.
Looking at your home through a buyer's eyes helps us make better decisions about presentation, pricing and negotiating when the time comes.
Homes with deferred maintenance and repair issues can take longer to sell and may sell for less than comparable homes in better condition.
But that doesn't mean you need to fix everything before selling.
I often find that sellers are considering improvements that may not be necessary while overlooking smaller things buyers will notice immediately.
We'll walk through your home together and discuss what needs attention, what can wait and what may not be worth doing at all.
Fresh paint, clean carpets, updated lighting, landscaping and a good deep cleaning can go a long way.
For larger repairs, we'll talk about the cost, the likely benefit and whether it makes more sense to address the issue or price the home accordingly.
Before you begin spending money, let's make sure you're spending it where it matters.
It's essential that the market dictates the price—not neighbors, friends or our emotional attachment to the property.
Pricing your home correctly from the start is one of the most important decisions we'll make together.
Price too high, and we risk missing buyers who would otherwise be interested. The longer a property sits on the market, the more buyers may begin to wonder why it hasn't sold.
We'll use the market analysis we've prepared to discuss where your home should be positioned and why.
And when an offer comes in, we'll look beyond the purchase price. Financing, contingencies, closing dates and other terms can make a significant difference in the outcome.
The vast majority of prospective buyers search for homes online first. In order to make a good first impression, you need high-quality photos of your home and surrounding grounds.
You may also need to consider professional staging to position your home in the best possible light for prospective buyers.
I've spent years working with interiors, and I know how much the presentation of a space can affect the way people respond to it.
Sometimes a room needs less furniture, not more. Sometimes moving a sofa, changing the lighting or simplifying accessories can completely change how a space feels.
We'll look at what you already have and decide whether rearranging, refreshing or bringing in additional furnishings makes sense.
The goal is to create rooms that feel welcoming, photograph beautifully and allow buyers to imagine living there.
A beautiful home deserves beautiful marketing. But good marketing is about more than photographs and social media posts.
We need to give buyers a reason to stop scrolling, take a closer look and schedule a showing.
I'll develop a marketing plan around your particular home, the buyers most likely to be interested in it and the features that make it stand out.
That may include professional photography and video, carefully written property descriptions, online listing exposure, digital advertising, social media, agent outreach and open houses.
And marketing doesn't stop when the listing goes live.
Are buyers viewing the listing? Are they scheduling showings? What are they saying afterward? How does your home compare with new listings coming onto the market?
I'll monitor that activity and keep you informed so we can decide whether any adjustments are needed.
The goal isn't simply to get your home in front of more people. It's to get the right buyers through the door.
Not every home sells in the first weekend, and a longer time on the market doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the property.
But it does give us information.
We'll look at the number of showings, feedback from buyers and agents, online activity, competing homes and recent sales.
Are buyers seeing your listing but not scheduling a visit? Are they touring the home but not making offers? Have new listings changed the competition?
Those are different situations, and they may call for different responses.
Sometimes an adjustment to presentation or marketing can help. Other times, we may need to revisit pricing or consider whether market conditions have changed.
I won't suggest a price reduction simply because a certain number of days have passed. We'll look at what the market is telling us and make decisions based on the evidence.
This is where things can get interesting.
An offer may come in at your asking price, above it or below it. It may have favorable terms—or conditions that deserve a closer look.
We'll review everything together.
What type of financing is the buyer using? Are there contingencies? What closing date are they proposing? Are they requesting concessions? Is there anything that could make the transaction more complicated?
Sometimes the highest offer isn't the strongest one.
I'll help you evaluate your options, understand the risks and negotiate terms that support your goals.
Even a well-maintained home can have surprises.
As a seller, you'll generally be asked to complete property disclosures about what you know of your home's condition and history. In Oregon, specific disclosure requirements and exemptions may apply, so we'll review what is required for your sale.
Buyers may also conduct inspections and request repairs, credits or other changes to the agreement.
An inspection report can look intimidating, especially when it contains a long list of findings. But not every item has the same significance.
We'll look at what the buyer is requesting, what the contract requires and what makes sense for your circumstances. When necessary, we'll bring in qualified professionals to help evaluate the issues.
Sometimes the answer is a repair. Sometimes it's a credit or a negotiated adjustment. And sometimes it's appropriate to say no.
My job is to help you understand your options so you can respond thoughtfully rather than react under pressure.
Once you've accepted an offer and worked through any negotiations, there are still several steps before the sale is complete.
The buyer may need to finalize financing and obtain an appraisal. We'll also address title matters, closing documents, deadlines and any remaining requirements of the sale.
I'll coordinate with the professionals involved, keep track of the details and make sure you know what's happening and what comes next.
We'll also plan for the practical side of moving—utilities, access, final cleaning and when you'll need to be completely moved out.
There's a lot that happens between accepting an offer and handing over the keys. You shouldn't have to keep track of it all yourself.
Throughout the process of selling your home, my goals are to:
Provide information about the current market and work with you to set a price accordingly.
Provide exposure to more buyers and agents through extensive marketing outreach.
Communicate clearly and consistently so you can make informed decisions throughout the entire sales process.
Help you understand all the terms, processes and paperwork involved.
Serve as your advocate and negotiate the most favorable terms from pricing to closing.
Provide you with peace of mind that all details are being handled in a professional and efficient manner.
I also want you to feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns and telling me when something doesn't feel right.
This is your home and your decision. My role is to make sure you have the information and guidance you need along the way.
You need a partner who knows the selling process, marketing and negotiations. But more importantly, you need a trusted advisor who understands what's important to you and how to get you there.
This is about you, having your best interests in mind and the expertise to accomplish your goals.
I personally provide a complimentary staging and home preparation consultation. I'll advise you on needed repairs, ways to make your home more saleable and how to create a warm welcome for potential buyers.
And I'll give you access to my trusted resources for everything from carpet and flooring to painting, repairs and other improvements that may help get your home ready for market.
For some sellers, the process is fairly straightforward. For others, particularly those selling a longtime family home or navigating a major life change, there's much more to consider.
Whatever your circumstances, I'll take the time to understand what matters to you and help you make decisions that feel right.
Thinking about selling, even if it's a year or two away? Here are a few things you can do now that will make the process easier when you're ready.
1. Start a home improvement file. Gather receipts, permits, warranties and dates for major improvements. A new roof, updated HVAC system or remodeled kitchen may be important information for buyers, and it's much easier to pull together now than later.
2. Take a fresh look at your home's first impression. Walk up to your front door as though you're visiting for the first time. Notice the landscaping, entry, exterior paint, lighting and anything that looks tired or neglected. Buyers begin forming impressions before they step inside.
3. Clear one closet, cabinet or storage area each week. Don't wait until you're packing to begin sorting through years of belongings. Donate, recycle or give away what you no longer use. You'll have less to move, and your home will feel more spacious.
4. Make a list of the little things you've learned to live with. The dripping faucet, sticking door, loose cabinet handle or burned-out lightbulb. Small maintenance issues can add up in a buyer's mind, even when they're inexpensive to fix.
5. Check your paperwork. Locate your mortgage information, property tax records, HOA documents (if applicable) and any warranties or permits for improvements. If you've made changes to your home, make sure you understand what documentation you have.
6. Look at your home through your phone's camera. Take a few photos of your main living spaces. It's surprising how quickly you'll notice crowded furniture arrangements, cluttered countertops or rooms that could use better lighting.
7. Hold off on expensive improvements until we've talked. Replacing flooring, remodeling a bathroom or updating a kitchen may seem like a good idea, but not every improvement pays off when you sell. I'd much rather help you evaluate those decisions before you invest the money.
A little preparation now can give you more choices later. And that's especially valuable if you're still deciding when—or whether—to sell. out to me so we can discuss the process of selling your home.
Whether you're ready to sell or simply beginning to explore your options, I'd love to hear what you're thinking. We can talk about your home's value, what it might take to get it ready for market and how selling fits with whatever comes next. No pressure. Just a good conversation about your home and your plans.
LAURIE BORNSTEIN
449 3RD STREET LAKE OSWEGO OR 97034
