M
arket Insights

    As a Realtor in the highly-competitive Bay Area Real Estate Market, I've learned that progress, not perfection, is key. Recently, I attended a Kokedama workshop at Oconomowak Gardens in Alameda, where we created Japanese-inspired planters using soil, peat moss, and twine. The process was meditative and fun, but what struck me was the emphasis on imperfection - no one expected flawless results.

    This concept resonates with my approach to preparing properties for market. Homeowners often let maintenance issues slide due to busy lives, resulting in deferred repairs like dripping faucets or scratched floors. However, when selling a home, these issues become major concerns for potential buyers. Our goal is to correct or minimize them as much as possible within our time and budget constraints.

    While we strive to bring properties up to par, perfection is unattainable - especially with tight deadlines and limited budgets. Instead of viewing this as unnecessary spending, consider it a wise investment in your home's value. Staged homes sell 78-90% faster than unstaged ones, often for significantly more. In fact, a 2021 report found that staged homes sold for 5-23% over the listing price.

    If you choose to work with us, understand that we're not aiming for perfection; we're creating a vision of what life could be like for the next owners. Our curated story is a lovely fantasy, but it's not flawless - and neither are we. We're dedicated, hardworking, and passionate about our craft.

    In 20 years of helping buyers find homes, I've yet to sell a perfect property. So, let's stop searching for perfection and embrace "wabi-sabi" instead. How can we help you?

    Julie Gardner & Sarah Abel | Compass Realty

    Not just Realtors, but consultants in all things house and home, we're here to educate, explore, examine, and refer - taking care of your home as if it were our own.