Answers by Joan Lamond

Even if you don’t have children, I still think school district deserves real consideration, especially if you plan to stay in the home for the next decade. Not because you need to personally benefit from the schools, but because it can absolutely affect the home’s long-term value and resale appeal. If I were advising you, I would not tell you to stretch for the top-rated district at the expense of everything else. Commute, neighborhood, floor plan, privacy, and how the home actually lives day to day still matter. But I also would not dismiss school district entirely, because buyers absolutely pay attention to it, and that can influence demand when it’s time to sell. The way I look at it is this: you do not necessarily need the most prestigious district in the area, but I would be cautious about buying in a noticeably less desirable one if your goal is to make a strong long-term investment. In many markets, homes in stronger districts simply have broader appeal, which can support value over time and make resale easier later on. So for me, school district is not the only deciding factor, but it is part of the bigger picture. I’d weigh it alongside the home itself, your lifestyle, and the location as a whole. If you are choosing between several otherwise solid options, I do think district quality can help break the tie. If choosing the “best” district means compromising too much on the home or your everyday quality of life, then it may not be worth the premium. Bottom line: if you plan to own for ten years, I would not buy solely based on school ratings, but I also would not ignore them. I’d treat school district as an important resale and value consideration, not the main driver of the decision.

Professional cleaning before photography is a very common recommendation when preparing a home for sale. It is not about whether a homeowner keeps a clean house. Many sellers take excellent care of their homes, but when you live somewhere every day, you naturally become accustomed to certain things that a fresh set of eyes will notice right away. Over time, we can become less aware of details like scents, small areas that need extra attention, or how certain spaces photograph. This is completely normal. It happens to all of us. The purpose of bringing in professional cleaners is not to criticize how someone lives in their home, but to create the strongest possible presentation for the market. As real estate professionals, our responsibility is to help prepare a property in a way that appeals to the widest range of buyers possible. That means creating a clean, fresh, and neutral environment where buyers can focus on the home itself and envision how they would live there. Every home has its own personality, and many things that make a house feel like home are connected to the people who live there, including cooking traditions, family routines, and personal touches. When preparing a home for sale, the goal is simply to create a welcoming experience for a broad audience while respecting the story of the home and the people who have cared for it. Professional cleaning before photos is an investment in marketing. High-quality images create the first impression for many buyers, and a buyer walking into a home that feels fresh, well-maintained, and move-in ready is more likely to capture attention and generate strong interest.

You have 3 options when a buyer offer comes in: 1) Accept 2) Counter 3) Reject Often times, the 1st offer in is strong and shows a level of commitment that other buyers haven’t shown. Without knowing the specific offer terms and price and your situation, it’s hard to give a complete answer. What I do know is that you have an offer in hand, and you can send a counter offer with your agent’s guidance. An offer is not accepted and official until all parties have signed, and that could take a few days to a week sometimes with back-and-forth during negotiations. If other offers come in during your negotiations, you can also counter, accept, or reject those. With an experienced agent, they could create a situation where 2 buyers can escalate to start bidding higher in order to win the house. If no other offers come in during your negotiations, it is your decision whether you want to move forward with that buyer or wait, but you would be taking a risk. Joan Lamond with The Agency 323.628.6122 📍Pasadena, CA, La Cañada Flintridge & Greater L.A.

Although you don’t need to prep your home before talking to a real estate agent, I recommend my 3 Ds: 1) De-clutter. Clear away clutter throughout the house, especially all countertops in the kitchen and all bathrooms. Remove everything off refrigerator. 2) De-personalize. Take down all pictures with people or pets, any religious relics, any craft projects, etc… 3) Deep clean. Give everything a deep clean. Other than these items, a real estate agent will give you the best guidance on what repairs or upgrades will be the best return on your investment. I would not recommend doing updates without the input of your agent first. We know what buyers are looking for and what is desired in today’s market. Joan Lamond at The Agency 323.628.6122 📍Pasadena, CA, La Cañada Flintridge & Greater L.A.

Depending on where your house is, the market is neighborhood specific. Most areas in greater L.A. are still experiencing low inventory and strong buyer demand. In cities like Pasadena, La Canada, and San Marino, many houses are still selling in multiple offers and selling above the listing price within a month’s time in 2026. There are 3 main factors that influence whether a house sells quickly and for top dollar, or if it gathers days on the market: 1) Good location and floor plan. Back in the pandemic days of 2-3% interest rates, buyers would buy a house on a busy street and an awkward layout and fight 20 other buyers for it. That is not the case anymore. 2) Condition and preparation. A well-prepared house is usually the best way to gain the attention of buyers. If a house is being sold as-is, needing tlc, it can still sell in multiple offers, so long as the price matches the condition, Many times, that pushes the price higher since multiple offers may occur. 3) Listing price. Don’t over-price your home hoping to get the same amount your neighbor with a remodeled kitchen and bathrooms did if you don’t have those same upgrades. Trust your agent’s recommendation. We do this everyday! Joan Lamond at The Agency 📍Pasadena, CA, La Cañada Flintridge, & Greater L.A. 323.628.6122