How to Sell a House: Riverside Edition

Published On

January 27, 2024

Riverside, CA, once known as The Citrus Capital of the World, is one of the most iconic places in the world to own property. Riverside houses are known for their distinct California desert style -- charming and plush mirages in the high heat. It's no wonder they're in high demand regardless of market conditions -- a successful sale is almost always within reach... if you know what to do!

If you're thinking about selling your Riverside home, we've got you covered through the entire sales process.

Here are the three, easy steps you need to take in order to sell your house fast and for top dollar.

1. Research the Top Real Estate Agents in Your Neighborhood

Riverside County is incredibly diverse. From the vineyards of Temecula to the downtown action in Palm Springs to natural ecosystems in Joshua Tree -- there are so many unique features of each zip code. While this makes Riverside awesome as a collective community, it can make it much harder when it comes to real estate. Just as the landmarks and vibes of each part of Riverside can greatly vary, so too will the local market factors.

A great real estate agent in one neighborhood of Riverside may be a not-so-great real estate agent in another neighborhood.

Honestly, just a 10 minute drive can make a world of difference in an agent's ability to find the right Riverside buyers. You want an agent who has sold homes near yours -- having the experience of hosting open houses and talking to local buyers (and other sellers) gives invaluable knowledge that will only benefit your home sale. Using a top agent expedites the selling process, greatly aids the likelihood of inducing a fair cash offer, can expertly negotiate with a buyer's agent, and helps keep closing costs (e.g. escrow fees) at a minimum.

Also, many real estate agents are known to, ahem, exaggerate their reputations. You want real, objective data on who has sold what, so you know who's legit and who's all talk. This can be a challenge -- how exactly does one fact check? Even if you have access to the MLS (multiple listing service), this doesn't give you the full story. In Southern California, many home sales happen off-market. And computing all those numbers yourself takes time and energy.

Luckily, TrueParity has built a simple tool for you to identify the top agents in your area. Check it out HERE. Agent performance matters, so you should always know who can deliver for you.

The median home price in Temecula is on the higher end of the Riverside market
The median home price in Temecula is on the higher end of the Riverside market

2. Calculate the Fair Market Value of Your Property

The second thing you need to do before you can cash in your Riverside house is to find out exactly what selling price it could command in the local real estate market. (Makes sense, right?).

While this seems straightforward, it's anything but! Sites like Zillow will use rudimentary formulas based on price-per-square-foot -- but the only certainty with those estimates is that they will never be 100% accurate. To get a true estimate of the value of a house in Riverside, you need someone who knows all the comparable houses in your immediate vicinity. This type of valuation takes into account all the critical features for each neighborhood -- proximity to landmarks, freeway access, views of the Pacific or the mountains. A comparative Riverside real estate market analysis is part science, part art.

Moreover, calculating a price for your home truly depends on what someone is ultimately willing to pay for it. A cash buyer is every seller's dream; so you need to know what cash offers are getting floated for Riverside homes similar to yours.

EXPERT TIP: An experienced real estate agent is happy to provide a free home valuation.

Industry professionals understand how much of the house-selling process happens before a listing agreement is signed, so they relish the chance to demonstrate their value up front. If you want to sell quickly you need to take advantage of this! (When you want to buy houses, companies force you through all the hoops -- it's time to turn the tables when you're selling).

TrueParity helps Riverside, CA sellers get free home valuations from top agents all the time. Shoot us an email or give us a call and we'll get the ball rolling for you. Our team of experts understand how to navigate the entire process intelligently.

Prices in the Riverside market have gotten a boost from the Coachella Festival
Prices in the Riverside market have gotten a boost from the Coachella Festival

3. Post Your Home on TrueParity to Connect with the Right Real Estate Agent

Once you're ready to get your home on the market, it's time to make the best agents in your neighborhood compete for your business. Another concept that most sellers don't even realize is that they can absolutely negotiate terms with a handful of potential listing agents at once.

Think about it. For someone who wants to buy houses, Riverside and surrounding areas represent the California dream. So for an agent, they know they'll be able to find potential home buyers in no time - most properties for sale in Riverside can get multiple cash offers. That means agents are willing to discuss commission fees, strategy, budgeting, and more. (And yes, whether they can get you that no obligation cash offer). The notion that a traditional sale has terms set in stone is antiquated.

At TrueParity, we built a platform for Riverside homeowners to evaluate and negotiate all of these things online (or offline, if preferred). Get started here, where sellers pay nothing and gain everything.

If you want to sell your Riverside house fast and for the best price, it starts by making your agent show you what they can do for you. It starts at TrueParity.

Thinking about selling a house in Riverside? You want an agent that will bring cash buyers, bring a rapid closing date, and keep closing costs down.

See how TrueParity can help you achieve a successful and quick sale.

It's your home. Sell it on your terms.

Post Your Home on TrueParity