Sellers Guide
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A higher standard of service & expertise for home sellers
Sharon Hales — Global Real Estate Advisor
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As a top-producing real estate professional in the Crescenta-Cañada Valley, Sharon’s unique knowledge is coupled with her family’s real estate development business of 33 years. Renowned for her expertise in the local market, including heritage properties and new home construction, Sharon offers a depth of industry experience in guiding sellers and buyers to their best advantage. Defining elements of Sharon’s premium service include highly curated property presentation, cutting-edge marketing strategies, and expert negotiating for maximum return on investment—all supported by her team of outstanding industry professionals. From initial consultation to moving day, Sharon oversees each detail with white-glove attention, providing peace of mind for clientele. As a designated Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), she also caters to the needs of our valued seniors. Dedicated to community since 1990, Sharon and husband Kendall—a La Crescenta native—have raised a family while remaining integrally involved in local schools, church and civic organizations. Sharon’s extensive service and leadership has included Crescenta Valley Town Council, VOICE (Volunteers Organized in Conserving the Environment), La Crescenta Library Committee, Girl Scout troop leader, and art docent at the world-famous Huntington Library and Art Galleries.
On behalf of my family, I want you to know how much we appreciated your expertise and professionalism during the successful sale of our mom’s house. It was a time that we really needed someone like you to guide us through that difficult undertaking, and to be a trusted friend who could empathize with us. At the same time, you taught us much about the real estate biz which helped us make better informed decisions during the negotiations. For all of this we wholeheartedly thank you. Frank L.
Notable listings & sales
What Sharon's clients say
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4742 New York Avenue, Glendale: Built by renowned Hales-Anderson Fine Home Construction, this brand new 4 bed/3 bath Contemporary Craftsman home has a classic design aesthetic with open-concept floor plan. $1,130,000
We are so glad we chose Sharon as our agent. She is the epitome of professionalism and integrity. We had complete confidence in her representation of us as buyers, as well as in the image she projected in the sale of our home. Sharon is a joy to work with, and we are grateful to have had her as our guide through multiple real estate transactions. Kate & Paolo Q.
Engel & Völkers Property SELLERS Guide
expertise
I want to thank you and your team for creating such a beautiful listing that brought us 21 offers. I now realize how complicated selling a house is and that having someone like you, who is top in their field, can make the difference. Scott N.
Engel & Völkers Property Sellers Guide
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2427 Los Amigos Street, La Crescenta: Heritage Estate in Briggs area on the market for first time in 49 years. Immaculately restored Dutch Colonial home, guest house & studio offer elegant retreat w/ extensive gardens, fountain patios & mature landscaping. $1,620,000
I chose Sharon as my agent because she is professional, pleasant, efficient and knows the local area very well. Her knowledge of the market and advice on how to prepare my property for sale were excellent. Sharon certainly helped me get the best possible price for my property. She did a wonderful job of advertising and showing the property, and I would recommend Sharon highly. Ann K.
5246 Briggs Avenue, La Crescenta: Situated behind a private gate on expansive grounds in coveted Briggs neighborhood, this magnificent 5 bed/5 bath Mediterranean estate marries a classic architectural aesthetic with modern luxury. $2,900,000
Opinions
416 Whiting Woods Road, Glendale: Welcome to the Crown Jewel in coveted Whiting Woods. Amidst a sprawling canopy of mature trees and lush foliage on over an acre of land, this 5 bedroom/3 bath mid-Century architectural gem offers a classic aesthetic and rare opportunity for re-imagining. $3,250,000
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Here’s to New Beginnings
hether it’s your first time selling a house, or this is another move within your property journey, the key to an optimal experience is partnering with the best. With Engel & Völkers, you’ll engage a trusted real estate advisor whose expertise is backed by a reputable local brokerage and a leading global real estate brand. Our advisors are truly passionate about helping you navigate the real estate market and find the right buyer for your property. Engel & Völkers maintains consistent high levels of service throughout the world to ensure the satisfaction of our valued customers.
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Imagine what your property would look like as part of this global brand.
WHO WE ARE With approximately 1,000 locations across five continents, Engel & Völkers has access to a powerful global network of potential buyers. We not only reach millions of consumers through our sophisticated multi-channel marketing efforts, but have the added benefit of collaborating with fellow Engel & Völkers professionals across the globe to strategically handpick, and refer buyers for the properties they seek... like yours.
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WHY WORK WITH US An Engel & Völkers real estate advisor invests their time to monitor and understand the local real estate landscape as well as your unique needs and goals. Through our local market expertise, sophisticated and data driven marketing solutions and collaborative global network, the power of Engel & Völkers is at work on your behalf. Our goal is to deliver you desired results, to not only meet, but exceed your expectations, and to provide you with peace of mind as a trusted partner standing beside you through every step of the selling process.
Working with an Engel & Völkers advisor provides you with access to an extensive suite of marketing capabilities, inclusive of local expertise and global reach.
1 professionalhomestaging.com
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Preparing to Sell
Scale Back & Organize Deep Clean Paint Walls & Details Remove Personal Items Upgrade Lighting Update Appliances Refinish Wood Floors & Update Carpets Conduct Maintenance Checks
Property staging will help present your property at its best, as well as to capture the emotion of the buyer, who will be making one of the biggest purchases of their lifetime.
Your property is our focus. At Engel & Völkers, we draw on our extensive experience and up-to-date market statistics balanced with your goals and timeline to determine the optimal asking price to list your property. By conducting a market analysis with a local expert as well as understanding potential buyer objections and the key advantages of your property, we will recommend the ideal pricing strategy to sell your property.
Preparing your property to list is one of the most important parts of this process, considering that these efforts can impact the time it may take for your property to sell and its sales price. Together, we will determine the steps and adjustments to help make the most of your sale, including:
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The Power of Staging
Establishing a Listing Strategy
Develop a Marketing Strategy
When visiting your property, the goal is to strengthen a potential buyer’s ability to envision your house as their own. In fact, 81% of buyers say property staging makes it easier to visualize the property as their future home.1 This can be as simple as rearranging furniture and making a few decor adjustments to highlight your property’s best features and prompt potential purchasers to make an offer.
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GIVING YOU THE EDGE Online exposure provides your property the greatest reach. Your listing’s journey begins on evrealestate.com and continues through our exclusive Extensive Domestic & Global Exposure (EDGE) platform. EDGE provides unprecedented reach, placing your property in front of qualified consumers whether they’re next door, in the Americas or abroad.
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YOUR PROPERTY BY DESIGN Capturing the most desirable and distinctive aspects of your property is an important foundation of any marketing strategy. With professional photography, virtual tours and listing film capabilities, paired with the iconic Engel & Völkers branding, your property, from its broader attributes to its finest details, will captivate potential buyers.
Our iconic shops are recognized around the globe by travelers. The sight of an Engel & Völkers shop wherever it may be, brings to mind the same expectation of high-end service and exceptional real estate.
OFFERS & NEGOTIATIONS Engel & Völkers is dedicated to acting in the best interest of each client. When it comes to negotiating the ideal terms and prices, Engel & Völkers advisors represent their clients with skill, dedication and transparency.
MARKETING MEASURES From niche mailings and digital campaigns, to print advertising and inclusion in exclusive Engel & Völkers publications and platforms, there is nothing ordinary about the way your property is positioned and presented to the market, locally, regionally and globally.
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DATA DRIVEN INSIGHTS MaX, Engel & Völkers’ proprietary marketing intelligence platform determines the marketing channels that most effectively reach and influence consumers most likely to purchase your property.
SHOW TIME Scheduling time for potential buyers to visit your house may seem overwhelming. We’ll help you determine the right approach based on your goals, situation and schedule, whether that includes open houses, private showings or a combination of both. Through clear and open communication, we ensure that you, and your property, are prepared throughout the process.
CONTRACT TO CLOSE Once an offer is accepted, your advisor will guide you through the final stages of the selling journey, including managing your transaction with utmost care, closing preparations and after sale services to support you.
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS Make sure to not only update your address with friends, family and service providers, but also any mailing clubs, subscriptions and utility companies for both ending services and activating them at your new address.
MOVING DAY This is the day when your moving strategy pays off and your focus can be on saying goodbyes and looking forward to what’s next. If possible, leave your appliance manuals and warranty information for the new owner and bring all sets of keys, garage door openers and any similar loose items with your advisor or at the property.
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STRATEGIZE A smooth and successful move is only possible with a plan. Select a moving day to work toward. Identify and engage a moving company as soon as possible – Engel & Völkers is happy to make a local recommendation.
Packing Tips
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Separate your valuables and important documents, and keep them with you during the move. Prepare a ‘Start-up Kit’ of items and box those up to take with you as well. This way if your belongings arrive late, or you are delayed in unpacking, you will have what you need immediately on hand. Label boxes by items and room to make unpacking an easier process.
Moving Checklist
FINAL PREPARATIONS If you’ve followed the steps above, you should have just a few remaining tasks like minor patch and paint jobs, emptying the pantry and cleaning, alongside packing up final items.
PACK Purchase your moving supplies including boxes, moving labels, bubble wrap etc. and begin packing items that won’t be needed between now and your move date. These include things like decorations, photos and off season clothing. Then, schedule how and when to pack remaining items based on room or another category that will make the unpacking process easier.
DECLUTTER AND DONATE Before you begin packing up boxes, take inventory of your furniture and other belongings to decide what to keep and what to purge. If items are not worth the effort of packing, moving and unpacking, consider donating, selling or discarding them.
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Experience Engel & Völkers
t Engel & Völkers, we strive to maintain clients for life. The sale of one property may present the opportunity to find your next home locally, or in one of our many locations across the country or even around the world. Through our network of trusted real estate advisors we can guide and support you every step of the way now and into the future.
Lender funds new loan
Obtain funds from buyer
Receive loan approval
Escrow instructions signed by Buyer and Seller
Title company records deed and other documents; escrow closes
Lender reviews Buyer’s application (verification of credit and employment)
Send documents to lender
The Selling Process
The Escrow Process
Forward documents to title company
Marketing for maximum exposure
©2024 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
Open Escrow (Buyer’s deposit is delivered to escrow)
Buyer’s package to loan committee
Assist in obtaining new loan
Prepare escrow instructions and pertinent documents
Figure file and request signatures on all documentation
Receive beneficiary statement, review terms of transfer and current payment status - send to buyer and seller for approval
Order recording
Return loan documents and request loan funds
Track status of loan documents
Receive title changes - balance file - receive confirmation of recording - prepare statements, disburse funds and send final papers to the proper parties
Request Beneficiary Statement
Buyer applies for loan (appraisal)
Buyer’s down payment and closing costs in escrow
Order Title Search
Review file to determine that all escrow conditions have been met and that all escrow required documents are available for signature
Request demands - request clarification of other liens (if any) review taxes on report
Receive and review preliminary title report, send for approval, if required
Buyer inspections and disclosures
Offer / Negotiations
Seller provided disclosures to buyer
Acceptance
Obtain Signature
Receive demands - enter into file - send copy to seller
Loan approval
Listing
Pay off loans, pay proceeds to seller
Glossary of Real Estate Terms
Acceleration: Clause in a note or deed of trust which “accelerates” or hastens the time when the balance owed becomes due immediately upon the sale of the property or when payment is overdue. Amortization: The reduction of a loan by equal installment payments over a given period of time. Appreciation: The increase in value such as the increase in value of real property. Assessed Value: Value placed on the real property by the County Tax Assessor for tax purposes only. Closing Costs: The costs to the buyer or seller, or both, for loan fees, escrow fees, title insurance policies and transfer of ownership charges. Close of Escrow: The final procedure in which documents are executed and recorded by the County Recorder. Condominium: A structure of two or more units, the interior space of which is individually owned the balance of the property (including land and buildings) is owned in common by the owners of the individual units. Contingency: A contract provision allowing the buyer or seller to cancel the Purchase Agreement when certain conditions are met. Cooperative Apartment: Also called a co-op. A structure of two or more units in which the right to occupy a unit is obtained by the purchase of stock in the corporation which owns the building. Counter Offer: An offer (instead of acceptance) in response to an offer. Deed: A written document by which the title to the land is conveyed from one entity to another, commonly recorded at close of escrow. Deed of Trust: A written document by which the title to the property is conveyed to a trustee as security for the repayment of a loan. Default: Failure to fulfill a duty or promise, or discharge an obligation such as the nonpayment of installments. Documentary Transfer Tax: A county, and/or city tax on the transfer of real property. The tax may attach whenever the consideration given in a transaction exceeds $100.00, exclusive of remaining liens and encumbrances. Earnest Money: This is the deposit given to the real estate broker or given to the seller by the potential buyer to indicate that they are serious about buying the property. This money is applied toward the down payment, but, in certain circumstances may be forfeited if the transaction does not go through. Easement: A right or interest in a property which entitles the holder thereof to some use, privilege or benefit such as to place pole lines, pipe lines, or driveway, etc. Equity: The total value of the property less the liens against it. Exclusive Agent: The one and only real estate broker contracted to sell a property within a given period of time. Exclusive Listing: An exclusive right in favor of one real estate broker to sell a property within a specified period of time. If the seller sells the property himself within that period, he must pay the broker the regular commission. Foreclosure: A procedure to deprive a person of the right to redeem a mortgage when regular payments have not been kept up. A proceeding under a deed of trust with power of sale includes the public sale of the property to satisfy the obligation. Lien: A levy against a property for the payment of a debt. Liquidated Damages: A definite amount of damages, set forth in a contract, to be paid by the party breaching the contract. A predetermined estimate of actual damages from a breach. Mechanic’s Lien: A lien created by a statute for the purpose of securing priority of payment for the price or value of work performed and materials furnished in construction or repair of improvements, which attaches to the land as well as the improvements. Mortgage/Trust Deed: A written document by which property is put up as security for the repayment of a loan. Multiple Listing Service (MLS): An association in which member brokers agree to share listings and sale commissions in relation thereto with other members. Offer: A written promise to buy property at a specific price and terms usually submitted on the Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (and receipt for deposit). When the seller accepts the offer in writing, a contract is made, providing all essential terms are met. Option to Purchase: The right to buy a property at a given price within a specific period of time. Planned Development Project: It differs from a standard subdivision in that it has, in addition, areas owned and used in common with the other owners of separately owned lots. Points: A one-time charge assessed by a lending institution at the time the loan is made. Preliminary Title Report: A report showing the condition of title before a sale or loan transaction. After completion of the transaction, a title insurance policy is issued. Realtor®: A registered mark which identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics as a member of the National Association of Realtors®. Title: A right to ownership of real property. Title Insurance: Evidence of title guaranteed by the insurer in the form of a policy of title insurance. It protects buyers and lenders against loss sustained by reason of possible defects in the title to the property or due to unforeseen occurrences. Townhouse: Originally a house in a city as opposed to a country estate. More recently the term is applied to certain types of row houses, whether planned unit developments or condominiums.
Glossary of Mortgage Terms
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): A loan with an interest rate that is periodically adjusted to reflect changes in a specified financial index. Adjustment Period: The amount of time between interest rate adjustments in an adjustable-rate mortgage. Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The cost of the loan expressed as a yearly rate on the balance of the loan. Balloon Mortgage: A mortgage in which monthly installments are not large enough to repay the loan by the end of the term. As a result, the final payment due is the lump sum of the remaining principal. Closing Costs: Expenses incidental to the sale of real estate, including loan, title and appraisal fees. Credit Rating: The degree of credit worthiness assigned to a person based on credit history and financial status. Deed of Trust: A document that gives a lender the right to foreclose on a piece of property if the borrower defaults on the loan. Fully Amortized Mortgage: A mortgage that amortizes, or pays down, the balance of a loan. Impounds: An optional portion of the monthly mortgage payment that is placed in an account and used to pay for hazard insurance, property taxes and private mortgage insurance. Index: Financial tables used by lenders to calculate interest rates on adjustable mortgages and on Treasury bills. Initial Interest Rate: The original interest rate on an adjustable mortgage. Interest-Only Loan: Pays only the interest that accrues on the loan balance each month. Because each payment goes toward interest, the outstanding balance of the loan does not decline with each payment. Interest Rate Caps: A limit on the amount that can be charged to the monthly payment of an adjustable-rate mortgage during an adjustment period. Loan-to-Value Ratio: A technical measure used by lenders to assess the relationship of the loan amount to the value of the property. Margin: The rate added to the index to determinethe actual interest rate in an adjustable rate mortgage. For example, if the index rate is 5 percent and the margin is 2.5 percentage-points, the rate the borrower will pay is 7.5 percent. Mortgage Banker: A company that provides home loans using its own money. The loans are usually sold to investors such as insurance companies and Fannie Mae. Mortgage Broker: A company that matches lenders with prospective borrowers who meet the lender’s criteria. The mortgage broker does not make the loan but receives payment from the lender for services. PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance): When a buyer applies for a loan, the lender will calculate the principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The figure is designed to represent the borrower’s actual monthly mortgage-related expenses. Points: Fees charged by lenders at the time a loan is originated. A point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. Prepayment Penalty: Lenders can impose a penalty on a borrower who pays a loan off before its expected end date. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): A special type of loan insurance that many lenders require borrowers to purchase if the borrower’s down payment is less than 20 percent of the home’s purchase price.
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Live Your Luxury
We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our process, precision and passion for service, so that you can focus on living your luxury.
Engel & Völkers La Cañada sharon@sharonhales.com 818-652-7650 | DRE# 01226757
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SHARON HALES GLOBAL real estate advisor