Opinions Soiught: When to Sell

[Chris Bellomo]

I have a duplex in Hollywood, California and have listed it with an agent for sale. There's a occupied 3/2 in the front, with tenants who will move July 1 and a 1/1 California style bungalow around back, recently vacant. Richard my agent, wants to stage the bungalow and get to market quick. He reasons that despite the front house being occupied, it's best to show now because there are fewer properties listed and by July we'll be vying for attention with many more listings. I, on the other hand, think that we should wait until the tenants have moved, do a proper cleaning and stage the front and back to it's best advantage to get top dollar. The local Los Angeles real estate market is good and the duplex is in a hip area with lots of youthful energy and people lining up to rent if used as investment. Do you think it's best to sell now with fewer homes or wait and stage? Thanks!