In late June I received a call from Barbara who was looking to sell her Mother, Sharon’s house in Oakley. Sharon had recently moved in with Barbara due to health concerns as well as the financial burden of maintaining her own home. The two were now living on the east coast and wanted to sell a house across the country in a stress-free manner for a fair price.

After speaking with Barbara and viewing the house we sent over a purchase agreement, they were happy with the price and accepted. We closed on our purchase of the house in early July. A notary was sent to Sharon and she was able to sign everything she needed to from the east coast.

One thing that was important to them was that they were allowed to remain in possession of the house for sixty days after we purchased it. This was critical because Cheryl, Sharon’s other daughter, was living in the house as well as Sharon was planning a trip out here to collect any possessions she wanted to take with her. We were happy to accommodate this request and it was included in our purchase agreement.

During the sixty-day period the three ladies went through and removed all that they wanted from the house and now they all live together on the east coast. They left anything they didn’t want behind and we disposed of it.

Barbara and Cheryl were both generous enough to provide us with a little feedback on their experience:

"Proud Start what can I say it's all in the name. My mother was at a cross roads. Her health failing, living in a home she could no longer afford and desperately trying to figure a way out. That's when I contacted Chris from Proud start he understood and knew exactly what we needed he got to work that same day and from start to finish made the whole process quick and easy. He was accommodating for our time line and was so kind. Instead of my Mom having the bank take her home and ending up in debt and losing everything. She walked away debt free, and with money she could begin her new life with. She walked away from the situation with her dignity in place and not feeling a failure. I would recommend Proud Start, Chris and Marilyn to all my family and friends no matter what the situation if you need your home sold fast these are the people you want to speak with. They make it happen fast and easy and work to make you as comfortable with the process as possible. Many thanks to you both."

- Barbara

"First Thank you both so much for all the professional help you gave my mom and our family in such trying times. My mother was always stressed out wondering if she'd ever be free from her house troubles. You both did what you said you would and this truly helped us. The process was quick and easy, and I would recommend you to anyone in need of your services. Again, thank you both so very much."

- Cheryl

This is just one example of the many unique situations we deal with every day. If you want to sell your Bay Area house quickly and at a fair price give us a call to see how we can help. We have lots of experience navigating whatever obstacle you may be facing.

Thinking about selling your Bay Area House? You can save thousands in commissions by doing it For Sale By Owner (FSBO).

Standard Real Estate Agent commission in today’s market is 5-6% of the sales prices, which is paid out of the Seller’s proceeds. Here in the Bay Area that’s tens of thousands of dollars you are paying to sell your house with an Agent, is it worth it? Agents perform several functions during the sales process, and a good agent can definitely be worth a hefty commission. One of their primary responsibilities is to market your house, drum up interest to generate lots of strong offers. In a seller’s market, like we have now, there isn’t a lot of advertising needed to generate interest. Demand outweighs supply, once a property is listed on the MLS potential buyers will come knocking. Given the lack of marketing needed, do you really think an agent deserves the full commission?

One of the other main functions of a Real Estate Agent is to make sure all the proper paperwork is completed, forms that protect both you and the buyer. Selling a house without having all of the proper paperwork done can put you at risk if something goes wrong and the buyer is unhappy. I would not suggest that a novice property seller sell their house to a novice buyer without someone in the middle to facilitate.

So how do you save on the commission but still make sure the sales transaction is being handled appropriately? Sell to an experienced Bay Area Home Buyer. You don’t get hit with the extra cost but get all the benefit of working with someone that knows how to get it done. Proud Start Real Estate Solutions is a professional Home Buyer throughout the Bay Area.

Some of the other great benefits to working with us include:

• We buy in ‘as is’ condition, you do not have to worry about any repairs
• We can close fast, have your money in a week
• You can leave unwanted items behind and we will dispose
• We will purchase with unruly tenants

Bottom-line, if you are thinking of selling your house, don’t pay huge agent commissions before talking with us to see what we can do for you.

Do you need to relocate in a hurry? Do any of the following sound like you?

• Just landed a great job across the country and need to be there in a couple weeks.
• Getting divorced and need to find a new place to live.
• Moving in with one of your children or to a retirement facility.

There are lots of reasons why you might need to relocate quickly, this can be stressful, especially if you own your current house and aren’t sure what to do with it. Stress no more, Proud Start is here to help! We are an experienced Bay Area Home Buyer and can get you fast cash for your house so you can focus on starting the next chapter in your life.

Don’t Get Stuck Paying 2 Mortgages

If you decide to list your current house with a real estate agent you could get stuck paying for your current mortgage and the rent/mortgage at your new location for several months while the house is sitting on the market and going through escrow. If the buyer you are working with is unable to obtain the loan they planned to then you will be forced to start over with a new buyer extending the time you are covering two house payments. In addition, your old house will likely be vacant this entire time, putting you at risk of having it vandalized, further delaying your sale. Don’t put yourself through this hassle and stress, give us a call today to see how we can buy your Bay Area House fast.

Fast Cash to use Towards Your New Home

Get the money you need for the down payment on your new home. Once we agree on a price we can get you paid in a week, allowing you to start shopping for a home in your new location. Don’t miss out on the perfect home because your money is still tied up in your old house. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, if you are relocating to a new area and plan to be there for a while it makes sense to buy. The mortgage for a house you buy will likely be cheaper than the rent you pay to someone else. Get the fast cash you need by working with us.

Long Distance Landlord

Many people who relocate become “accidental landlords”, don’t make this mistake! Managing a rental property is a serious responsibility and requires a lot if you want to do it correctly. Do you really want to be getting calls from your tenant across the country because the toilet is clogged or the faucet is leaking? Aside from the annoying small repairs, over time all homes require major repairs which you will be responsible for. Assuming you are able to rent your old house for a few hundred dollars more than the mortgage you will need to put that money aside for repairs, taxes, insurance, vacancies, evictions, etc. There are a lot of cost associated with owning a rental property and unless you know how to manage it all it can be overwhelming. Rather than expose yourself to the financial and legal liability, sell your Bay Area house fast and relocate without the stress.

Experienced Home Buyer

Proud Start, LLC has experience working with all sorts of situations and has helped many people just like you. We operate throughout the Bay Area including the following counties: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and San Joaquin. Give us a call today to find out what your options are. Allow us to give you the proud start you deserve. (925) 322-1008.

When selling your house your goal is to get the best deal possible, depending on your situation this could mean different things: maximum sales price, shortest close time, least hassle, best terms, or some combination of these factors. Below are 5 areas to keep in mind when trying to reach your optimal sales transaction. After reading you may decide that all of these items involve too much time and effort, if so give us a call and we will be happy to discuss other alternatives for selling your home fast and for a fair price. Proud Start, LLC buys houses for cash and closes fast; we do not require any repairs.

1 - Season

Few people consider the impact of seasonal effects on real estate when it comes to selling a house however, the real estate market is actually subject to dramatic shifts depending upon the season. Prudent sellers will take advantage of these trends; make sure you do your research to determine the best time of year to sell a home. Remember, all real estate is local and conditions vary depending on your market. Summer tends to be the most desirable time for many people to move or relocate due to the warm, dry weather and the children not being in school. On the flip side winter is the least desirable.

2 - Price your House Fair

It is easy to understand that you want to get the best price possible for your house, however pricing too high can end up costing you in the end. It’s important to properly price your house from the start and have a plan to adjust according to how the market reacts. Over priced houses can sit on the market causing potential buyers to wonder what’s “wrong” with your house. This almost always results in selling the house for less than if you had properly priced it from the beginning, additionally you are paying extra mortgage and utility payments. It is best to survey what current comparable houses are going for and set a price on par or slightly below.

3 - Concessions

Simply put, concessions are a set dollar amount or percentage of the purchase price that you agree to contribute to the buyer, towards the closing costs. More generally speaking a seller concession can be any negotiation where the seller gives something up to the buyer. For example if there is a leak in the roof a seller will offer the buyer a concession of a lower sales price leaving the repair to the buyer to do later and pay for on their own. This would be an alternative to the seller having the repair done before closing and selling the home at full price. During the negotiation phase, offering a concession to the buyer can be just the thing needed to sell your home fast.

4 - Landscape the outside

Getting potential buyers through the front door is the first hurdle in selling your house. If they don't like what they see from the outside, they won’t bother looking inside. Curb appeal can often mean the difference between a house sitting for months and months or selling quickly. Some simple things to increase your curb appeal include: power wash the siding and driveway, apply a fresh coat of paint to the trim, add some flower planters, make sure the yard is green, or trim the hedges. You get the idea, anything you do to freshen up the view from the street will help.

5 - Depersonalize

When potential buyers are walking through your house they are trying to picture themselves living in it, this task can difficult if they see pictures of your family every where they look. By removing these personal items you allow the buyer to experience what it would be like if they did buy your house. The same logic applies if you have made unique decorating choices, it is best to remove any items that will draw focus away from the house and available living space.

Hopefully these tips have been helpful. Please don’t hesitate to call or fill out the form on this page page if you are interested in a free, no obligation, consultation on selling your house.

So you have decided to sell your house, whether by choice or circumstance selling a house can quickly become an overwhelming task. Given the magnitude of this transaction there are many regulations and requirements that need to be satisfied before the sale can be completed. While these rules introduce additional burden they also protect both the buyer and seller. The following tips should help reduce the stress associated with selling your house by helping you understand what buyers are looking for and putting it in the best position to attract them.

1. No Deferred Maintenance

Most buyers are not looking for a project; they want a house that is “move in ready”. Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions someone will make in their life, they want to feel assured that they are buying a quality home and not a headache. Given this, it would be wise to have an inspection done on the house to see what sort of work is needed, then evaluate the benefits of having these repairs completed before putting it on the market. If having a couple pipes or wires replaced will allow you to sell faster and at a higher price then it is worth the investment.

1. Kitchens and Bathrooms

These are the rooms that people focus on. Let’s be honest bedrooms are pretty standard, four walls and a closet, not much there to get excited about. Kitchens and bathrooms have a lot more variation, having the right layout, size, cabinets, and appliances can make your house stand out among the competition. Most potential buyers are looking for these rooms to be spacious, functional and clean (I know the last one is sounds obvious but you’d be surprised by some of the things you see while viewing a home). Putting a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom or changing the knobs and hinges on your kitchen cabinets are minor things that can really make these rooms pop.

1. Open Floor Plan

As I mentioned in the previous point, buyers today are looking for space and functionality. One way to make it seem like a house has more space is to remove the walls. Having one large area that incorporates the kitchen, dinning room and living room creates a spacious feel and greatly expands the number of options a buyer has when deciding how to utilize the house. If you have the time and budget to make these modifications before selling your house it may be worth it, however even far less extreme improvements like creating a cut away between rooms can really open things up and create the impression that buyers are looking for.

1. Landscaping

As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. When a potential buyer drives up to your house for the first time you want them to be impressed and excited about what they see, eager to come in and discover what else the house has to offer. While having a brown, weed field lawn isn’t going to be a deal breaker it certainly doesn’t help you any. If you are trying to sell your house for top dollar you don’t want the buyer to have any negatives in their mind. So before putting your house on the market take a little time to water and mow your lawn or trim the hedges, this will go a long way in letting the buyer know that you take pride in your house and have kept it up well.

Investing in these four areas will help you sell your house fast and for a fair price. If it seems like doing any of this would require too much time, money or energy we would be happy to discuss your current situation and help you develop a plan to get your Bay Area house sold now.

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or fill out the form on this page if you are interested in a free, no obligation, consultation on selling your house.

You need to sell your house fast but aren’t sure what the best option is for you and your current situation. This article will explain the 3 primary ways to sell your property and what each means to you.

Option #1: Selling with a Real Estate Agent

Agents are great if you have plenty of time to sell and your house is in excellent condition.

There are thousands of agents in the Bay Area, so the first challenge will be to pick one that has successfully closed some deals and is experienced. Your Agent will likely walk through your property and give you advice on what should be fixed, cleaned up or removed.

Then you’ll sign a 6-12 month listing contract and they’ll put it on the MLS (Multi Listing Service). Most agents will charge 6% or more depending on the situation for there services. They will handle all the calls, lots of paperwork, qualify the potential buyers, and present you with the offers.

Once your property hits the MLS the fun begins! You’ll have people coming into your home, looking around and checking every nook and cranny, 7 days a week, and quite possibly at all different times of the day.

When a buyer is found, which takes 3 months on average, your agent will open escrow and the buyer's “inspection period” will begin. During this period, several inspectors will come to your house and check everything. After these inspections are complete most buyers will give you a list of items that they expect you to fix, or they may ask for a large price reduction. If you don't agree the buyer can walk away and you're back to square one.

After you get past the inspection period, the buyer’s lender will order an appraisal to ensure that the value of the property is acceptable to the lender. The appraisal process, which used to be fairly routine, is now causing many lenders to retract their offer to fund the mortgage. Appraisers are more cautious with their valuations considering the current market, this change in sentiment does not help you sell your house fast.

Once you get past all of these steps you can finally close on the sale, traditionally the buyer and seller split closing fees, which can cost you roughly 2-4% of the sales price, and are taken out of your proceeds.

Agents are great if you have plenty of time, your house is in excellent condition and you don’t mind people coming to your house continuously. They will work to get you the highest gross price for your house (before commissions, repairs, closing costs, time on market) however after all of the additional costs you will incur going this route may not provide you with the most money in your pocket.

Option #2: For Sale by Owner (FSBO)

Selling your home "by Owner" is very similar to Option #1; the difference is you have to do all the work. Market the property, find the buyer, show the house, negotiate the sale, write the contract and disclosures, and so on. Most buyers will need to get financing so there will be a risk of appraisal. There will still be closing costs and fees that need to be paid. This is a great solution again if you have time and are comfortable with handling the sales process. It may take longer to find a buyer as you won’t have thousands of agents seeing and potentially showing your house to buyers. Things can get frustrating as you are responsible for the whole transaction and most likely don’t have prior experience selling a house. FSBO's work fairly well for sellers that have the time and patience to do the work needed.

Option #3: Selling to a Real Estate Investor

The key to selling to a real estate investor is to find someone you like and trust. Someone that is willing to work with you and go the extra mile to get your house sold fast and with no stress on your part. Real estate investors handle all of the paper work; the only thing you need to do is show up on the day of closing and collect your check.

Most investors buy houses in ‘As Is’ condition, meaning you will not need to do any repairs prior to moving, you can even leave unwanted items in the house and they will remove. Investors also focus on closing fast, unlike the options listed above; an investor can close the sale in as little as one week, allowing you to move on with your life.

Another advantage to working with an investor is that they generally make all cash offers; this eliminates the possibility of an appraisal causing the loan to fall through. When an investor makes you an offer you can be confident that the money is there to close the deal.

Working with an investor also means there are no Agent commissions to pay, and in most cases they will cover all closing costs.

Choosing this option to sell your house works well for people who need to sell fast or anyone who simply doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of the selling process. Investors focus on structuring deals that work for all parties involved.

So what option is best for you?

Now that you have a little more knowledge on the 3 options for selling your house you can make an informed decision on which one to pursue given your current situation. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or fill out the form on this page if you are interested in a free, no obligation, consultation on selling your house.