Selling Your Home in Gilroy or Morgan Hill

Start Planning 3–6 Months Before You Plan to Sell

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until the last minute to speak with a real estate professional. In many cases, meeting with a REALTOR® three to six months before listing allows time to properly plan the sale, prepare the property, and coordinate your next move.

Your reason for selling plays a major role in determining the right strategy. For example:

• Relocating for a new job

• Downsizing after children move out

• Upsizing to accommodate a growing family

• Moving out of the Bay Area

• Selling an inherited property

• Transitioning into retirement

Understanding your motivation helps determine timelines, pricing strategy, and how your sale should align with your next home purchase. Also, check out the Buyer Guide here.

Curb Appeal Matters More Than Many Sellers Realize

First impressions begin before buyers ever walk through the front door.

Simple improvements can dramatically improve buyer perception and online interest.

Examples include:

• Landscaping and yard cleanup

• Power washing the exterior

• Fresh mulch or plants

• Window cleaning

• Deep interior cleaning

• Decluttering and organizing

Small improvements often create a significant visual impact in listing photos and showings.

Choose Your Home’s Marketing Strategy

Compass offers a three-phase approach, but you choose the launch plan. Jeet will compare a phased rollout with going directly to the public market based on your privacy preferences, timeline, and local listing rules.

Phase 1: Private Exclusive

A Compass Private Exclusive is marketed through Compass channels before a public MLS launch. It may provide early feedback or greater privacy, but reaches a different audience from broad public marketing.

Phase 2: Compass Coming Soon

A Coming Soon phase can introduce the property ahead of its full launch. Availability, distribution, showing rules, and timing depend on the applicable program and local requirements.

Phase 3: Public Launch

A public MLS launch exposes the home through the MLS and participating public marketing channels, reaching a broader audience of buyers and agents.

Discuss the exposure and tradeoffs of each option before deciding. Private or phased marketing does not guarantee a higher price or faster sale, and not every seller needs all three phases.

Evaluating Offers: It's Not Just About Price

When offers begin to arrive, the highest price is not always the best offer. Strong offers should also be evaluated based on:

• Financing strength

• Down payment size

• Contingencies included

• Closing timeline

• Appraisal risk

• Buyer flexibility

A well-qualified buyer with solid terms can sometimes provide more certainty than a higher but riskier offer. Careful negotiation and counter-offers help ensure sellers select the offer that best balances price, security, and timing.

Understand Selling Costs and Your Net Proceeds

Real estate commissions are negotiable and are not set by law. Review the services, compensation, marketing expenses, and payment terms in your listing agreement before signing.

Any contribution toward buyer-agent compensation or buyer closing costs should be discussed and negotiated separately as part of your transaction.

What to Include in a Seller Net Sheet

• Negotiated broker compensation and buyer credits
• Title, escrow, transfer taxes, and applicable HOA charges
• Preparation, staging, inspections, and repairs you authorize
• Mortgage payoff, liens, and prorated property expenses

Jeet can prepare an estimated net sheet before listing and update it when offers arrive. Your final closing statement determines actual proceeds; consult your tax professional about any tax consequences.

Coordinate Your Sale With Your Next Move

If you plan to buy another home, compare selling first with buying first before you list. Your available cash, financing, and tolerance for overlapping expenses will shape the plan.

• Sell first: clarify your proceeds and buying budget, and plan for temporary housing if needed.
• Buy first: confirm financing and your ability to cover two properties with your lender before committing.
• Coordinate timing: discuss sale contingencies, closing dates, and any negotiated rent-back. These options depend on the other party’s agreement.
• Build a backup plan: allow for inspection, financing, or closing delays and schedule your move accordingly.

Jeet can help coordinate the real estate timeline for sellers in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, and South San Jose. Explore the Home Buyer Guide and Buying and Selling FAQs, or Plan My Home Sale to discuss your next steps.