Modern Upgrades and Desert Landscaping: The Secrets to Selling Your Santa Clarita House Fast

We spoke with Miguel Soler, a Santa Clarita real estate agent who ranks in the top 1% of local agents, for his advice on how to make your home stand out so it sells as quickly as possible. We also researched easy improvements and decor trends, suggested by local SCV experts, that’ll have serious buyers gravitating toward your home.

Yes, the market might be saturated with competition, but these helpful tips will give you the edge you need to sell your house fast in Santa Clarita.

Timing is everything (if you want to sell your house fast in Santa Clarita)

Don’t have time to waste? HomeLight data estimates that listing your home in March will allow it to close in April 6.9 days faster than any other month.

This is especially important for anyone in a time crunch because Santa Clarita houses have started taking longer to sell. Soler warns, “what used to be two or three weeks on the market is now turning to 45-60 days.”

If more money is what you’re after (and who could blame you), HomeLight data suggests listing your house in May in anticipation of a June closing. Doing this could net you 2.99% more than the yearly average sale price!

Going modern is a Santa Clarita seller’s secret weapon

Soler says the homes that sell the fastest (and for the most money) on the Santa Clarita market right now are the modern ones. Think clean lines, simple artwork and up-to-date technology.

This means you’ll want to take care of any clutter scattered around your home before your first showing. Modern style is all about the functional use of space and that certainly doesn’t include stacks of old magazines or bookshelves filled with knick-knacks.

Once the clutter is cleared away, you might want to consider a modern decor update. Soler recommends sellers make the switch to modern white countertops or cabinets to attract buyers.

White marble countertops, like this beautiful option at Home Depot, will give your home a clean, modern appearance. And white cabinets, like these from RTA Cabinet Store, will give your home an ultra-modern upgrade.

According to Home Advisor, the average kitchen-countertop remodel costs $2,300 and the average cabinet remodel will set you back $6,670. If that’s not in your budget, go for an affordable white accent, like this stylish area rug from Wayfair.

Inside SCV, a community magazine serving Santa Clarita Valley, suggests pairing white cabinetry with gray, blue or metallic-hued paint, wallpaper, artwork and furniture.

If you’re considering new flooring, Inside SCV reports that modern, boldly colored geometric statement floors are the hottest new trend for Santa Clarita kitchens.

Make first impressions count with great Santa Clarita curb appeal

An overgrown lawn, peeling paint, weed-ridden flower beds… the exterior of your home can make or break your chances for a quick sale. And the longer your home sits on the market, the more buyers will start to wonder what’s wrong with it.

But that’s why it’s essential the curb appeal of your home is on point before it’s listed. And with 34 public parks and a wide variety of hiking trails, it’s safe to say that Santa Clarita residents have a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

It’s because of this that curb appeal—and all the plants and flowers that come with it—will be a critical part of your sale strategy.

And while there’s a heavy emphasis on presenting an eye-catching front yard, Soler advises to keep it low-maintenance to attract busy professionals and families.

Here are a few ideas for enhancing your curb appeal:

• Drought-tolerant landscaping is a smart, buyer-attracting move for Santa Clarita sellers.
• Try this pretty shrub Alyogyne huegelii (Blue Hibiscus) that needs infrequent watering and the drought-friendly vibrant red flowers of the Galvezia speciosa (Island Bush Snapdragon) to up your low-maintenance curb appeal.
• Soler notes that green grass will most likely always attract more buyers than desert landscaping, but water-conscious sellers can also replace grass with decorative rock to create a beautiful desert landscape that’s easy to maintain.
• Try this multi-colored decorative rock from Lowe’s to add a splash of color to your yard.

• Decomposed granite is also a great drought-friendly option recommended by Sonoma Magazine, an award-winning landscape and lifestyle magazine, that can be used in place of mulch to surround trees and garden beds.

Interior improvements to give your Santa Clarita home an advantage

That old flowered wallpaper in the bathroom or that dark-hued man-cave paint you’ve had for years? It’s time to kick it to the curb.

Soler recommends painting your home in neutral colors so it appeals to buyers no matter their taste. “Paint is 50% of the presentation of the property,” he states. Try “Accessible Beige” by Sherwin Williams or “French Gray” by BEHR for neutral colors that’ll work well in any home.

A few more upgrades and improvements you can make include:

Don’t hate, update:

According to Neighborhood Scout, 66.7% of homes in Santa Clarita were built in 1970-1999. If you want to sell your home quickly, updated appliances and features, as well as remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, will be essential. Don’t want to spend the money? Buyers are willing to overlook these things—but only if the price reflects it.

Make it appeal to the masses:

Data from Neighborhood Scout reveals that single-family homes are the most popular choice for residents. (59.2% of Santa Clarita homes are single family.) With this much competition, a welcoming atmosphere is a must for showings. The buyer needs to be able to envision themselves in your home, which means you’ll need to remove all family photos and other personal items before your home is viewed.

Deck out the house as a desert dwelling:

Bring the beauty of California’s desert landscape indoors with a succulent garden centerpiece or by hanging succulents in your bathroom.

No pets allowed:

We love pets as much as anyone, but Soler warns that one of the biggest mistakes you can make is showing your house with dogs or cats present. Whether a prospective buyer is allergic or just doesn’t like pets, it can be a turnoff. Temporarily house your pets with a relative or neighbor during showings to avoid this sale-killing mistake. (And be sure to remove litter boxes and dog beds too.)

Keep the garage clear:

With 34.7% of the homes in Santa Clarita having three bedrooms, according to Neighborhood Scout, it’s safe to say you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. If you’re staging your home, resist the urge to shove everything into the garage. Buyers will end up seeing it anyway and it may turn them off. Hire a storage unit instead so every space in your house is attractive and free of clutter.

Work with a top Santa Clarita real estate agent to get the price right

If your strategy is to price your home high at first to see if anyone bites (and to gradually lower if no one does), you’re engaging in some seriously risky business. Your home needs to be priced fairly from the moment it hits the market if you want to hook a buyer immediately.

Soler agrees:

“The most attractive time in any listing is going to be the first few weeks. After that, you see a 50-70% drop off in activity.”

According to our Top Agents Insight Survey, 54% of top agents agree that setting the wrong price for a home is the most common stumbling block for sellers.

Currently, the median price of a single-family home in Santa Clarita is $595,000 but that number can change at any time. With such a tumultuous market, it’s dangerous for sellers to rely on out-of-date information or inaccurate statistics when valuing their home.

You love your home—but don’t let that bias affect the way you price it. If it’s not truly comparable to your neighbor’s, don’t price it as such.

To avoid pricing your home incorrectly, consult a top-rated real estate agent in your area. From Canyon Country to Valencia, they understand the Santa Clarita market and will price your home to match.

Why a highly rated real estate agent in Santa Clarita matters

So, your aunt’s friend’s sister is a real estate agent who wants to sell your home, huh?

Before you go down that risk-filled road, consider this: choosing a top-rated real estate agent can not only help you sell your house fast, but snag you more money, too.

According to HomeLight data, homes listed with top agents in Santa Clarita sell 34.94 days faster than the average agent—and many get more than the asking price.

It can be tempting to cut corners on everything from repainting your home to the realtor you choose, but doing so can affect how quickly you sell your home—and its final sale price.

Your home is an investment in your future. Don’t risk over- or undervaluing its worth so that buyers ignore it altogether or undercut your ROI.

Give your house its best chance for a fast sale—at the highest price possible—by consulting an expert real estate agent in your area.

Ready to sell your house fast in Santa Clarita? Get matched with a top real estate agent today.

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