Selling a home in San Marco, Miramar, Epping Forest or San Jose can be different from selling in a newer neighborhood where homes are more similar to one another. In established communities, buyers are often evaluating much more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.
They may be drawn to a particular street, architectural style, mature trees, proximity to the river, parks and restaurants, or simply the character of a neighborhood they have come to love. All of these neighborhoods offer close proximity to San Marco Square where concerts, family events including Santa in the Square, many outdoor Art events, Running Events…..the list goes on and on! Not to mention several 5 star restaurants – all a very short distance from home!
That makes understanding the individual property especially important.
Two homes with similar square footage can have very different values. Renovations, lot size, architectural character, location within the neighborhood and even how well improvements complement the original home can all influence what buyers are willing to pay.
Each neighborhood also has its own personality. A classic San Marco home may appeal to a different buyer than a tucked-away property in Miramar, an estate in Epping Forest or a traditional or riverfront home in San Jose.
For sellers, one of the most important lessons is not to automatically renovate before putting a home on the market.
It is easy to spend thousands of dollars replacing something a future buyer might have preferred to keep. Original hardwood floors, millwork, built-ins, tile or other architectural details can sometimes be part of what makes an older home desirable. Before making major changes, consider whether they will actually improve the home’s marketability.
Maintenance is another matter. An aging roof, outdated electrical or plumbing, moisture problems or obvious deferred repairs can make buyers nervous. Sellers don’t necessarily have to correct every issue, but knowing about potential concerns before listing allows
them to make informed decisions rather than being surprised during an inspection.
Pricing also deserves careful thought. Automated estimates and price-per-square-foot calculations can be useful starting points, but they have limitations in neighborhoods where homes vary considerably. Recent comparable sales matter, but so do condition, location, renovations, lot characteristics and architectural appeal.
Finally, try walking through your property as though you were seeing it for the first time. Is the landscaping inviting? Can you make it from your car to the front door without seeing an unkept yard, peeling paint, faded awnings or dirty walkways? Can you see the home’s best features, or are they hidden by furniture, clutter or small repairs that have been postponed?
Often, the improvements that matter most aren’t the most expensive ones.
Homes in San Marco, Miramar, Epping Forest and San Jose have developed character over decades. Preparing one for sale is less about making everything new and more about understanding what should be improved, what should be preserved and what makes that particular home—and its neighborhood—special.
Publisher’s Note: Linda Strickland is San Marco Neighbors’ Real Estate Expert and has lived in the San Marco Neighborhood for over 20 years!. She can be reached at 904-881-4811. Her office is located on San Jose Boulevard.
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