Real Estate Blog

Despite the ups and downs in the market, real estate remains a safe long-term investment. Luxury real estate has some of the highest potentials for growth, especially if you can flip properties quickly. Here are a few tips to get you started before you jump into luxury real estate investing.

What Is Luxury Real Estate?

Features. High-quality features bring high price tags for high-end real estate. On the other hand, if it’s exclusive and unique, it becomes instantly more desirable. With the help of the right real estate professional, you can curate properties with the potential to make you a lot of money in the future. Often, with a few critical updates, you can recoup your initial investment and make a tidy profit. However, everything has to be tasteful and appeal to the right buyers.

Although high-end buyers look for some of the same features that all home seekers crave, it’s always on a grander, more lavish scale. For instance, wealthy homeowners want security, privacy, and seclusion. 

However, they don’t want to compromise on opulent interior design and custom architecture. Over-the-top detail that appeals to a larger pool of qualified buyers is tough to pinpoint but worth the effort and expense to do so. 

Luxurious Locations

Consider locations with access to exclusive shops, arts, and entertainment. Additionally, target properties close to other luxurious homes. Fremont, Sunol, Danville, and San Ramon are exclusive locations surrounded by beautiful historic homes that house some of the most luxurious homes in the Bay area. It also has a fabled history that gives even more allure to the distinctive neighborhood. 

If you are investing in condos, consider waterfront locations near oceans, rivers, or lakes. Mountainside and scenic country views are also alluring as destination homes for high-net-worth clients looking to get away from it all in luxurious homes.

Luxury Home Amenities

Exclusive amenities create an understated elegance and add features that stand out. A luxury pool, chef’s kitchen, decked-out outdoor living space, and expensive master suite will all appeal to luxury home buyers. Also, smart home automation, security, and convenience are key. Think car lifts, motion detectors, and wine cellars with climate control. 

Remember that it doesn’t take massive space to create a luxurious home that will maximize your return on investment.  

How to Invest in Luxury Real Estate

Flipping a mansion and investing in luxury real estate are two ways to make a hefty profit on luxury real estate. However, they also come with a high upfront cost. You’ll need enough money to secure the property and to make any necessary upgrades. Additionally, luxury properties sometimes take longer to turn over.

Some investors concentrate on vacation rentals that appeal to people of all income ranges. For example, people are willing to invest in a vacation stay at a luxury condo even if they can’t afford to live there all the time. For those looking to save on their own luxury homes, custom bills allow homeowners to design their space to meet their lifestyle and preferences.

In many ways, luxury real estate is in the eye of the beholder. Features that may be essential for some people are considered luxury features to others. But, ultimately, there are certain items, often considered “luxury” features, that home buyers tend to love when looking to buy a home. As the luxury real estate market continues to grow, home buyers find that while it might be nice to have a beautiful kitchen and amazing views, several features in luxury homes are not always seen but are extremely popular with luxury home buyers. The following is a list of must-have features for any luxury real estate listing.

Wine Cellars

According to Realtor.com, 31 percent of buyers with an income greater than $150,000 consider a wine cellar to be their most-desired feature in a home. Additionally, it is deemed essential for homes valued at $1.5 million or more to have a wine cellar in some country areas. Keep that in mind as you decide which luxury features to have in your home. Wine cellars are a luxury for everyone, luxury home buyers included. 

Smart Home Set-Ups

Smart homes are increasingly in demand among high-end or luxury real estate consumers. With so many tools available, it is possible that people can use technology to open their doors, adjust their thermostats, set their alarms, turn lights on and off, open their garages, water their lawns, vacuum their floors, mow their lawns, and more. Of course, the more “smart” features your home offers; the more buyers will have to love your home.

Custom Closets

Gone are the days when a his-and-hers closet offered sufficient “wow” factor to sell homes. Today’s luxury homes need a few more thrills and chills in the closet department to seal the deal. That includes center islands in closets, segregated shoe storage, specialized lighting, jewelry drawers, full-length mirrors, and organizational shelving & racks. The more versatile and feature-rich the cabinet, the more universal appeal it will offer luxury home buyers.

Heated Floors and Driveway

While certainly in greater demand in colder climates, radiant heated flooring and heated driveways that repel ice are luxury touches worth their weight in buyer’s gold. Buyers love these features that spare them cold toes in winters and the need to hire a service to handle ice removal from their driveways. That’s why luxury homes often include year-round heated driveways and walkways.

Unique Architecture and Design

Buyers love a home that tells a story. While not all stories appeal to all buyers, a home with unique architecture and design features allows buyers to make up their own stories about the house. More importantly, it gives them something else to fall in love with, so they can picture themselves and their families living in the home.

Premium Materials

If you’re genuinely courting a luxury real estate audience to buy your home, you want to make sure you’re putting your money where their minds are. This means you’re using premium materials throughout the home that are attractive to high-end buyers. This includes granite countertops, natural stone or exotic hardwood flooring, slate or clay roof tiles, and brick or stone exteriors.

Of course, these luxury features are in addition to gourmet kitchens and spa-like bathrooms that sell homes in a heartbeat. So if you’re looking for something a little extra to attract luxury real estate buyers to your home, these tips are sure to help.      

There are a lot of high-end homes for sale in today’s market. However, finding and buying a luxury home is a slightly different experience than your normal tract home purchase. If you are in the market for a luxury home in the Bay area, here are some tips you should know before buying your dream home.

The Search Process

Most of the time, you can easily find an excellent multi-million dollar home listing on websites like Zillow.com or Realtor.com or even on a luxury realtor’s website. There are many ways to search for a luxury home, but the most popular is probably browsing through listings.

In some cases, you will find yourself frantically clicking from listing to listing, looking for your dream property. However, this method of searching can become exhausting and time-consuming very quickly, mainly if there’s a high level of competition in that particular market or neighborhood.

One of the best and little know ways luxury homes are marketed for sale is…privately. Many luxury residences go unlisted to protect the seller’s privacy. These properties are frequently discovered via personal connections rather than through the MLS. If you want to know where some of the best luxury deals are, look for a top luxury real estate realtor.

Photos and Video

You can find beautiful photos of luxury homes online. However, it would be best if you did everything you could to see the house in person. A video tour can be helpful, but you also need to visit the home. Take a friend with you who is familiar with luxury homes so they can help point out specific features of interest.

Price Range

It’s always important for buyers looking at luxury real estate to know what price range they want and what kind of property they are interested in. The typical home value of homes in Fremont is $1,399,412. This value is seasonally adjusted and only includes the middle price tier of dwellings. Fremont home values have gone up 23.8% over the past year. However, the average home price of a luxury home in Fremont is significantly higher, starting at $2,000,000 and $13,000,000. It’s important to know what you are willing to pay and remember to factor in maintenance, taxes, and insurance. 

Doing some research online is an excellent way to start getting familiar with what homes in your price range look like and how much maintenance they typically need.

When looking at different neighborhoods, it’s important to remember that prices can vary significantly from one location to another. Depending on school district, crime rate, etc., the price of a luxury home could differ from one street to street. So be sure to do plenty of research before deciding where exactly you want to live!

Work with a local luxury realtor.

It is critically important that you enlist the help of an experienced luxury realtor who will be able to work with you and guide you through the process of buying a luxury home. Your realtor must have access to all available properties on the market, including those not yet listed. The qualities you are looking for in a great realtor include someone easy to work with, has your best interests at heart and will negotiate the terms of the agreement for you to land a great deal.

Once you find what it is that you are looking for, make sure that you act quickly! The luxury homes which are listed on the market tend not to stay there too long, so once one comes up which matches all of your criteria, take action fast before someone else beats you to it! Unfortunately, many people often spend months browsing through listings online without writing an offer… don’t let this happen to you since many properties never even reach the market because they get sold off-market or expire due to poor marketing.

Solidify a strong relationship with your banker

I strongly recommend you go to the bank you have a relationship with because they already have your banking history and portfolio. There is more scrutiny today in the high-end market; therefore, financial documentation is critical when buying a multi-million dollar home. Anyone making a lot of money has a manager or an accountant and tries hard to shelter their money, so it can be challenging to show the bank you have the income. Also, cultivate a strong relationship with an accountant and an attorney. This person needs to have a lot of experience working on high-end transactions and explain this process clearly.

Consider the Location of the Luxury Home

Location is critical when determining what luxury home is right for you. Of course, you want access to great restaurants, shopping districts, and entertainment venues; however, you may not want these amenities too close to your home. It should also be close enough not to take too long to get to town but far away from being overcrowded by tourists, traffic or noise.

If you are looking to buy or sell a luxury home, contact the Joseph Sabeh Group today to work together to accomplish your goal.

Are you looking to buy a luxury home? If so, we’ve got good news for you.

While there’s no denying the housing market is having a great year, many of the headlines are focused on the perks for sellers. But what about buyers today? As a buyer, you’re likely braving bidding wars and weighing low mortgage rates versus price appreciation as you search for your dream home. If you find yourself a bit discouraged, hear this: there are clear signs buyers may have more opportunities this fall.

According to realtor.com, the sweet spot for buyers is just around the corner. In a recent study, experts analyzed housing market trends by looking at data from the past several years. When applied to the current market, experts determined the ideal week to buy a home this year. The research says:

“Nationally, the best time to buy in 2021 is the week of October 3-9. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers.”

So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re looking to buy a home, there’s a golden window of opportunity coming. Here’s what you can expect from that week.

Increased Housing Supply

The number of homes available for sale should increase. According to realtor.com, you can expect to see more new listings come to market the week of October 3. The findings estimate we’ll see roughly 17.6% more homes available than we saw at the start of the year.

This means you’ll have more options to choose from which should be a welcome relief in a market with a tight housing supply.

Fewer Bidding Wars

With more homes available, you should also see a slight decline in the number of bidding wars. Having more options means buyers may not be competing as intensely for the homes on the market because there are more choices to go around.

This means when you write an offer, you may have less competition and a better chance of being the top bid. Just remember, it’s still important to come in with a strong offer.

Adjusted Homes Prices

As we move into the end of the year, the findings from realtor.com note this week may also be one of the peak weeks for price reductions in 2021. Historically the data shows an average of 7.0% of homes have a price reduction that week. Why? When housing supply ticks up, sellers need to look for other ways to make their houses stand out.

This means, while home prices are still appreciating overall, you may see some homes with price adjustments from eager sellers. The process of closing a house takes time. To close before the end of the year, sellers may be more motivated this October.

If you’re in the market for a home, don’t lose steam now. Data shows early October may give you the long-awaited opportunity to find the home of your dreams. Let’s connect so you have a trusted ally and advisor to help keep you motivated so you can find the perfect home for you.

A real estate agent is the key to purchasing or selling a home. It can be one of the most significant financial decisions in your life. So naturally, you want to find someone who is the best real estate agent for you. 

A professional real estate agent has the experience to smoothly and efficiently guide you through the process of buying or selling a home. The best real estate agents do it systematically.

With many professionals out there vying for your attention online and offline, finding just the right person who is the best real estate agent for you might seem overwhelming – but don’t worry! Here are some tips on how to make sure you hire an experienced real estate professional:

1. Word-of-Mouth referrals from friends and family.

Friends and family are excellent sources of referrals for a professional real estate agent. Ask them if they have had a good experience with a particular agent before or if they have any recommendations for someone they believe is the best real estate agent in your area.

Ask them what they enjoyed most about working with that particular agent and about their experience of the real estate transaction. If you like what you hear, ask them if they would be willing to share the real estate agent’s contact information with you.

2. Speak to a mortgage lender before you hire a real estate agent.

When considering buying a home, speak with a local mortgage broker or local mortgage lender and ask them if they have any trusted real estate agent recommendations. 

A mortgage broker or banker is constantly working with real estate agents and can suggest who may be a good fit for your particular real estate needs. Some questions you can ask include:

1. Who is the best real estate agent you know?
2. What is your opinion of them?
3. Did the agent provide you with a comprehensive service, or did they list and sell homes for commission alone?
4. How many successful transactions have you done with them?

Local mortgage brokers or lenders are an excellent resource for real estate agent referrals.

What if you are selling a home? As a home seller, you do not need a mortgage; however, the same principle applies. You most likely worked with a mortgage broker to finance your home, and you worked with a realtor to buy the house. 

If you had a great experience in your earlier home buying process, go back to the professionals you worked with before. If they are unavailable, implement the steps mentioned above or any of the steps recommended in this article.

3. Google search “Top Real Estate Agents in [Your City]”

The Google search engine is a potent tool to find products and services. Google also has business listings of professional real estate agents in your area.

A simple Google search of “Best Local Real Estate Agents” will bring up a list of the top professionals in your city. You can also type into google: “How to find a real estate agent near me? or How do I get an appointment for home buying advice?”

What’s fantastic about the results you receive is that they are often varying types that you can evaluate and get a good idea of the real estate agent’s quality of services. 

The search results will typically provide the real estate agent’s website, rankings, reviews, location, and contact information.

4. Visit local real estate agent websites and social media profiles.

A professional and experienced real estate agent should have a professional website and professional social media profiles. Google search any real estate agent you are considering and check out their websites and social media profiles. 

You are looking for professionalism in conducting themselves online, any testimonials on their website, professional associations, their licensing or professional credentials, and whether they have any helpful real estate guides or tools online. 

5. Select three to five real estate agents and interview them.

Many real estate agents are happy to meet with you to discuss your real estate needs. Talking directly to several agents can help you narrow down who you would like to engage. Some excellent questions you can ask a real estate agent about their expertise are:

Five questions you can ask a real estate agent if you are a home seller

1. What is your strategy for marketing my home? 
2. How do you handle open houses and showings? 
3. Do you have a team of people who will help me sell my property? 
4. Do I need to be available during the day or evening hours for showings and appointments? 
5. What are your fees, including commission, advertising costs, and other expenses that I should expect to pay when hiring you as my agent?

Five questions you can ask a real estate agent if you are a home buyer

1. What is your experience in the current real estate market? 
2. What are some of your best-selling properties, and what makes them so popular? 
3. How quickly can you find me a home that meets my needs? 
4. Do you charge any upfront fees or commissions, and if not, how do you get paid for your services? 
5. Can I see an example of one of your listings before we start working together?

6. Look for real estate agent reviews and testimonials on Google Reviews, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau.

Online reviews and testimonials are among the most powerful ways people can share their experience with a real estate agent. Thanks to the internet’s power, it is effortless to find online reviews for real estate agents. 

What you need to know is that there are many different sources where you can do this. For example, you could check out the agent’s profile on Google, Yelp, The Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trulia, Zillow, or Realtor.com and see what previous clients have said about them.

7. Look up a list of top-rated real estate agents on sites like Zillow.com and Realtor.com. 

These websites keep track of local real estate agents that are successfully helping people buy and sell homes. In addition, these websites rate agents with a popularity score (how many people they have helped) and an overall satisfaction rating. 

The website also lists the number of homes each agent sold and the time on the market for every property listed by your real estate professional.

Of course, all this information helps choose which local Realtor you want to work closely with throughout one or more transactions.

There are great real estate agents in your area, and you can find the best real estate agent for you.

Finding a great real estate agent can be challenging, but it’s crucial if you’re looking to buy or sell your home. Agents are paid on commission and will work hard for the clients who pay them well. However, they should also understand your needs and goals as a buyer or seller. 

Great realtors have many skills that make them stand out from other agents, including communication, negotiation, project management, networking skills, and knowledge about market conditions.

A great real estate agent is also someone who has an excellent understanding of local neighborhoods and communities, which helps when looking for homes for sale or trying to find new customers. 

When you are ready to buy or sell your home, please ask about us, check out our testimonials and reviews, and then contact us for your real estate needs. We’d love to help.

Fremont is home to some of the most luxurious multimillion-dollar homes in the East Bay Region of the Bay Area. If you own and desire to sell your luxury home in Fremont, California, you most likely want the expertise of a top-rated real estate agent or realtor that can list and sell your home for the best price and in the best timeframe.

Even though there are many beautiful luxury properties in Fremont, the process of listing a multi-million dollar property for sale and getting the price you deserve will require a lot more attention and effort than the sale of a traditional home.

It’ll be important that work with an experienced realtor or real estate agent who specializes in luxury home sales understands the high-end real estate market, is familiar with selling luxury homes, and has the strategies in place to attract the right buyers for your home. 

Below are a few of the top reasons you’ll want to seek out a top-rated realtor that specializes in exclusive luxury home sales to sell your multimillion-dollar property.

A Top-Rated Real Estate Agent is Interested in You.

A Top-Rated Real Estate Agent is interested in getting to know you, your motivations for the property sale, and creating a successful real estate sales experience.

The luxury market is about much more than just a price point. It is about a level of service. If you are selling a luxury home in Fremont, California, you deserve a level of service that includes you in every step of the process. A luxury real estate agent will spend time getting to know you, your connection to the property, and why you are selling so that they can weave that unique story artfully into the presentation to potential home buyers. They can help clarify what is important to you in the home sales process and make sure you put your home on the market at the right time at the right price point. A luxury real estate agent will accommodate your needs and preferences to help list and sell your home successfully – even more so if you’re selling a luxury home.

A Top-Rated Realtor is Familiar with the Luxury Real Estate Market

Real estate market knowledge and expertise are critical to pricing the home correctly and targeting the right buyers for luxury home sales, specifically in the East Bay. Luxury Homes are very different from traditional homes or tract homes. For example, the sales cycles are vastly different, and the comparables are not always clear cut, primarily because multi-million dollar homes are often custom-built. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure that the real estate agent, brokerage, or team you work with is familiar with the trends, comparables, and sales cycles specific to your area and type of luxury home and that they account for the features and amenities unique to your property.

A High Level of Luxury Home Sales Expertise

A luxury real estate agent has the right level of expertise. Selling a luxury home is not the same as selling a traditional home. Expectations are higher and all aspects of the sales process must be at the highest level possible. From the staging of the home to the photography, every part has to be first-class. Some elements that you want to look at in a luxury realtor’s past sales profile include:

• Staging
• Photography & Videography
• Media
• Dedicated Website
• Sales Videos
• Virtual Tours & Software
• In-Person Private Showing Protocols & Experience
• High-end Print Materials
• Digital Marketing & Social Media
• Sales Copywriting
• Inclusion in Real Estate Marketing Platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com & Redfin.

You’ll want a luxury real estate agent who can help you showcase your home’s best features so you can attract the right homebuyer. In addition, a good luxury real estate agent has connections to stagers, home developers, contractors, and trade professionals that make any necessary improvements to the house that can provide an extra boost during marketing.

Check out the video below for an example of a video sales presentation of a luxury home.

Top-Rated Luxury Real Estate Agents Have a Reliable Real Estate Network

A luxury real estate agent has connections in the real estate industry that may be in the market for a multimillion-dollar home. The benefit of these connections is that qualified buyers will see your home. 

A luxury realtor often is partnered with a highly reputable real estate brokerage with several luxury real estate listing and buying agents in its ranks. The advantage is that qualified real estate clients can be reached directly and notified of the availability of your home. In addition, there is an excellent chance that your luxury realtor may even represent a buyer who is a fit for your property or may know of other people who are looking for a specific property that looks a lot like yours. Therefore, you may be able to sell your home more quickly.

A Higher Chance of Selling Your Home at the Right Price Point.

Finally, the biggest reason you should work with a top luxury real estate agent in Fremont, California, is that you can get the best price possible for your home. The real estate market changes quickly, and your home may have increased in value since you bought it. Therefore, even though you want to sell your home, you do not want to sell it for anything less than it is worth. Consequently, it would be best to rely on a luxury real estate agent who knows what the market is like and can help you accept the right offer for your home. 

Top-rated luxury real estate agents have an in-depth understanding of the needs of luxury home buyers and the specific market where they’re planning to buy a home. They can effectively pair this knowledge with your needs in selling your multi-million dollar home.

They can promote the level of high desirability, privacy, education, community, area characteristics, amenities, and nearby attractions unique to your neighborhood. Homebuyers in the high-end market typically have a different perspective when considering these characteristics.

Work with a top-rated realtor in Fremont specializing in Luxury Real Estate To Sell Your Home.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Fremont, California, you need to make sure you get the best service and the best price for your home. That is why you should work with a top-rated luxury real estate agent who knows the local area and has a strong track record of successfully selling luxury real estate in Fremont, CA, the East Bay Area, and the South Bay Area. Joseph Sabeh Group’s realtors can help you price your home accordingly, evaluate offers as they come in, and make sure you get the best price possible for your home along with a high quality of service during the transaction. Contact us today.