Sell Your Home and Avoid These Common Mistakes!

There really isn’t a substitute for quality. Working with mediocre agents brings mediocre results, and a lot of headaches. Working with an excellent agent like me brings excellent results!

Do you want to sell your luxury home in Ruby Hill Pleasanton? Here’s a list of some common mistakes to watch out for!

Selling By Yourself

A lot of people think they can save money by selling a home themselves with the help of the Internet. Well, if you think that time is gold, then you’re actually losing a lot of money by doing it on your own!

Selling a home is more than putting that sign on your lawn and posting a few pictures on social media.

Without an experienced agent, you will have to suffer from showing your home to countless people who have zero intent to buy the home. You’ll also burn yourself out by juggling your career, family life, and other obligations on top of the tedious task of home selling.

Pricing Your Home Too High

Yes, I know you think your luxury home in Pleasanton CA is great, and you’re probably right. But keep in mind that buyers are always, always after a good deal.

Other homes for sale are only a fingertip away with the technology we have. You have to make your home stand out aesthetically and highlight every reason why this is the best home on the market right now.

Also, when people are at your home, they are comparing it to the other homes they have seen and are evaluating which one is the best deal for their money. It’s a tough game, and pricing your home right is an invaluable way to get ahead of the competition.

Expecting to Sell for Your Asking Price

Here’s where we have to strike a delicate balance. We want to price your home low enough to attract buyers, yet high enough to allow room for negotiation without losing money.

Buyers want to feel like they’re getting a good deal. It’s just basic psychology. Allowing them to negotiate the price down will definitely help close the sale.

Going Cheap on Listing Photos

You have absolutely no reason to skimp on professional photos. Any and every business knows this.

Buyers looking for luxury homes in Ruby Hill Pleasanton CA check photos of available listings before even making a call. Do you seriously think anyone will be interested in your home if the photos are poorly lit or amateur-ish?

A picture says a thousand words. Cheap photos can make a luxury home look cheap.

Invest in high quality photographs and you’ll see the offers it brings to the table!

These are just few of the common mistakes, and there are a lot more pitfalls if you aren’t careful. Working with me, Doug Buenz, is a surefire way of getting your luxury home in Ruby Hill sold.

Call me, Doug Buenz, at (925) 621-0680 today to get your home sold the right way!

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Sell Your Home and Avoid These Common Mistakes! on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWdQZxOeNkU&feature=youtu.be

Ruby Hill Homes in Pleasanton CA

Home is more than a roof over our heads.

It’s the place we go to feel safe. It’s where we shared precious memories with those we love. It is, in a very literal sense, a part of the family.

Letting go of home isn’t easy. For starters, you can’t stop worrying about who will buy it, if they will care for it as much as you do. Then, you have to decide which repairs are worth the investment, and which are nice to have but unnecessary. And finally, there’s the stress of getting it ready for showing, negotiating, and closing!

It takes years to master this process. Keep reading to see how my team of expert Realtors® can help you sell your home in Pleasanton fast!

Keep these things in mind as you prepare your home for sale:

These repairs are a great investment!

Start with the kitchen. It’s one of the first rooms buyers go to. A fresh coat of paint, replacing drab cabinets, adding a touch of color, all these go a long way.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can easily think of something to do with whatever budget you have, be it a couple hundred dollars or a few thousand.

The bathrooms are next, especially the master’s bathroom. Check the caulking, the grout, the tiles, the glass, drains, faucets, hard water stains, and everything. These are an indication of the home’s state.

And never forget the exterior! A fresh looking exterior will pull your buyers in the front door.

Take a look at the lawn, the front door, the garage door, the windows, the curb, and also make sure to tidy up your kids’ playthings, too!

Great pictures go a long way these days.

People can make up their minds before even seeing a property in person.

Consider investing in professional photography. These professionals know how to put a home in its best light. They consider the time of day, the season, and everything else in play.

Without fantastic shots, your home for sale could go stale on the market as buyers “swipe left” the moment they see it.

Set the price right

Your home may be the most valuable thing in the world to you, but for others, it’s just a house.

Setting your house way above its real value is probably the number one way to keep it on the market forever. Buyers have access to virtually every home in their desired area through the internet. They can easily tell if your house is priced way above comparable listings.

My team of professional agents can prepare a CMA, or comparative market analysis, for you. This CMA will compare the prices of homes sold that are similar to yours, and also the prices of homes currently for sale.

Doing this right will bring in buyers fast, and before you know it, your home in Ruby Hill Pleasanton will be sold in no time!

And all that’s left is to negotiate. With me on your side, you can rest assured that I will care for your home as much as you do. I want you to get the price you deserve, and I want to get it done as soon as we can so you can move forward with life.

Did you find these tips helpful? There’s more where that came from!

Call me, Doug Buenz, at (925) 621-0680. Let’s get started on this home selling journey! 

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Ruby Hill Homes in Pleasanton CA on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMHMHXi5WkI&feature=youtu.be

Selling your home in Ruby Hill? Top tips to sell fast!

So, you’re thinking of selling. A quick search on the Internet tells you that although most homes sell in an average of 65 days, some homes can spend over half a year without getting sold!

You get worried and wonder if the same will happen to you. Truth be told, you literally control the outcome of your home selling process.

Here’s how to get it done fast!

Work with a professional Realtor® with a proven track record

This is easily the most vital of all steps. Choose a real estate agent with a proven track record that shows how many homes they’ve sold in the past year.

Another great way to check an agent’s capabilities is by reading reviews from previous clients. These are usually found on their website or on their Facebook page.

Ask your friends and neighbors about real estate agents they know. Family and other relatives who live in the area can be a great resource, too.

Why is it important to check your agent’s track record? First of all, it’s easy to say you’re all that, but it’s hard to fake results. Second, signing with a mediocre agent will only prolong the home selling process, leading to lots of frustrations and losing money in the long run.

Fix anything that needs fixing

Now that you’ve got an agent, the next big step is getting your house ready for staging and marketing.

Does your house look shabby? Is it in need of repairs? Is the yard unkempt, the paint worn out, or your roof missing a few shingles?

Things like these should not be left unnoticed. If you are serious about selling your Ruby Hill home quickly, better get into this right away.

Make sure you get into the details. The small things like light bulbs, missing screws or hinges from doors, squeaky floors, and the like. Of course, the big things like your front yard, interior and exterior paint jobs, bathroom maintenance, and kitchen updates need immediate attention.

Clean the heck out of your home

Now this is one step I cannot stress enough! When potential buyers walk through your door and see a messy living room or stains in the kitchen, they think that the previous owners were slobs. This gives them the impression that the house in poor condition, and will leave without asking any more questions.

What does this mean? Clean your home. Make sure it sparkles and shines even in the moonlight, and if you can’t do that, hire somebody who can!

These tips may sound simple, but do not take them for granted. I have worked with sellers and those that paid attention to these details got better results and sold faster than they would have without following these tips.

Need more home selling tips and techniques? I’m Doug Buenz, owner of Doug Buenz & The 680 Group. We’ve sold hundreds of homes in the Ruby Hill and Pleasanton CA areas, and we know what works and what doesn’t.

Give me a call and we would love to help you out! The number is (925) 621-0680. I know what it takes to sell a home fast, so let me put my expertise to good use for you!

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Selling your home in Ruby Hill? Top tips to sell fast! on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/r20QZLEAJHk

What Repairs Increase Value in My Ruby Hill home?

There’s a lot to consider when we talk about remodelling or repairs. If you want to increase the selling price of your Ruby Hill home, or if you simply want to sell it faster, keep reading to learn which tips are good for your house!

Here is a list of the most useful home repairs to increase a Ruby Hill homes value and sell quickly:

Minor bathroom remodelling

It will cost you about $10,000 to replace your tub, tile surround, sink, vanity, toilet, floor, and fixtures. The ROI is about 102 percent, so this is definitely a repair worth considering.


Make sure to replace the caulk in your tub and other areas. This is fairly easy to do and doesn’t take too long.


Check for even the tiniest details in your bathroom, too. Check the door hinges, check for stains on tiles, and check for any leaks.


Keep in mind that the bathroom is one of the first things a potential buyer considers when going through homes. No need for a total bathroom makeover. Cleaning and repairing should be more than enough to make your bathroom look good enough to sleep in!

Front yard

Never underestimate the power of curb appeal.

Home buyers instantly judge a house before even stepping out of the car. If they are pulling into your driveway and see dead grass, messy shrubs, and old paint on your walls, they might even drive away without saying a word!


Hire a professional landscaper to take care of your yard. Ask your neighbors who do their yard, that’s a good way to start.


An exciting idea to consider is adding a walkway. It costs very little and adds a whole new level of charm to your house. Try adding lights around the lawn, or installing fixtures on your window panes.


This part of your house is very exciting to decorate, so get the whole family involved in this process! Plus, it has an average ROI of 100%, so it’s an investment worth every penny!

Kitchen improvements

When you walk into your kitchen, does it smell funny? Maybe you’ve been putting off repairs and cleaning for too long!


Home buyers are looking for functionality and style in kitchens. It is the heart of the home, and many buyers are looking to use that space as room for entertaining. Something very popular these days is an open floor concept, one that combines dining space and kitchen space for seamless movement.

An easy kitchen fix is replacing or repainting cabinets. This adds attitude to a kitchen. Also consider updating appliances, home buyers love that!


Take a look at your sink, your windows, garbage disposal, and every little nook and cranny in your kitchen. Who knows, you might even find a missing bagel hiding behind your refrigerator!


Begin by cleaning your kitchen. People going through homes can get very picky when it comes to kitchens, as it is seen as a reflection of the owner’s habits and upkeep.


Messy, dirty, stinky kitchens mean the owners didn’t take good care of the home. On the other hand, beautiful kitchens mean the owners took good care of the property, and this can spell the difference between a successful sale and a client walking away.


Kitchen remodelling usually returns about 98.5%, so this is also an update to keep in mind when selling your home!


So there you have it! Check your front yard, your bathrooms, your kitchen, and even other living spaces such as the living room, bedroom, and basement.


Ready to sell your home in Ruby Hill? Get it right with Doug Buenz & The 680 Group! Give us a call at (925) 621-0680 to start today!

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view What repairs increase value in my Ruby Hill home? on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_h3GCu7rxak.

Ruby Hill Luxury Homes

There’s no place like home. That’s why I think everyone investing time and money searching for a property deserves only the best.

My name is Doug Buenz and I’m a licensed Realtor® and top agent in the Pleasanton CA area. My passion is real estate, and I truly enjoy helping my clients with their needs.

Ruby Hill is a gorgeous community in Pleasanton CA. Anyone who’s been here will surely say the same, and I can guarantee you that once you come here you’ll understand why.

Let me show you why your dream home is waiting for you here!

Luxury Golf Course Homes

Ruby Hill is a private golf club and living here has many perks.

Your morning jogs will never be the same as your home will be surrounded by meticulously maintained landscapes and greenery. Start your day with breathtaking scenery all year round!

Another advantage of living in a golf community is the good quality neighbors you can expect. This is a huge selling point for a lot of buyers, as everyone wants to live in a place where they feel safe and secure.

Buying a luxury home in Ruby Hill is a great investment. Golf course homes are viewed by many to be a prestigious feat, and is definitely no small investment. Let me tell you that these homes are sure to impress!

An obvious benefit of living in a golf course home is the closeness to the golf course! You will get to enjoy your favorite hobby literally in your own backyard.

Your home will be the envy of all your friends, and you can rest assured that the value of the property will remain consistently high.

You will no longer have to traverse through traffic and set aside huge chunks of time to go golfing. You can go whenever you want, and even stop halfway and head home when you feel like it. Ruby Hill homes are also in close proximity to the best schools and restaurants in Pleasanton, all adding to the great quality of life you want.

Buy a home in Ruby Hill and finally enjoy the lifestyle you deserve.

Get help from the best!

I firmly believe that your home buying experience is an unforgettable moment. When you work with the right agents, it can be fun, pleasant, and really magical.

Check out these reviews from my previous clients to see what they have to say about me!

I want my clients to find a home they would be proud to call their own. It is a great privilege to be a part of the equation and to know you did something good for somebody else.

I am a very enthusiastic person, and I am extremely easy to get along with. I am very skilled at using technology, the internet, and social media to help my clients buy or sell properties in the shortest amount of time possible.

Give me a call soon! It would be a pleasure working with you and getting to know you. Tell me what you want in a home and I’ll get you the best luxury listings right away!

Feel free to call me, Doug Buenz, at (925) 621-0680. I am your top Pleasanton CA Realtor® and real estate expert.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Ruby Hill Luxury Homes on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX99khKfOVQ&feature=youtu.be.