FAQ’s
Pre-Listing Process
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It takes 48-72 hours to install the sign (Monday-Friday).
Lockboxes are generally installed on your scheduled photoshoot day.
Watch Lori's answer for more details here.
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It’s up to you!
CAR law requires we have you on the market within a certain period of time if you want to go into the “MLS”.
And you have options on how that looks: Coming Soon, In a month, year, never on the MLS, etc.
And that’s why it’s great to have a chatand find out what’s best for you.
Watch a video here!
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We’re hip, we’re with the ages. That’s why we love doing things digitally and saving paper.
So you’ll find our document signing happens through email and in a program called DocuSign and Glide.
And If you prefer good ol’ fashioned paper, we can make that happen too!
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We would love to meet with you in person to take care of that, just call us at 909-551-3144.
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California law says anything attached to the house stays to the house
Unless it’s written in the contract with a different agreement.
Hear Lori talk about it here.
Tune in to our podcast, Real Estate With Soul, Episode 4: The Home Buying Experience From A Buyer’s Agent’s Perspective for more conversation on what stays with the home.
Staging
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A: Staging costs can vary widely — but we offer solutions for every budget. Here are your options:
✨ Free Staging Tips (Included with Every Listing): I personally walk your home and provide a detailed checklist — decluttering, rearranging, and highlighting your home’s best features at no cost.
🏡 Light Staging (Low-Cost): Sometimes just adding fresh décor, rugs, plants, or artwork makes a big impact. We can use what you already have or bring in small touches for a few hundred dollars.
🛋️ Partial Staging (Mid-Range): Great if the home is occupied. We stage key rooms (living room, kitchen, primary bedroom) while blending in your furniture. Expect $1,000–$2,500 depending on size.
🌟 Full Professional Staging (Premium): If the property is vacant, this option creates a true model-home feel. A staging company furnishes the home top to bottom. Costs can range from $3,000–$6,000+ per month depending on square footage.
💻 Virtual Staging (Budget-Friendly Alternative): For online photos only, we can digitally add furniture and décor. This usually costs $40–$100 per photo — a great way to attract buyers on the MLS and Zillow.
👉 Bottom line: You don’t have to spend big to make a big impression. Whether it’s free tips, light touch-ups, or full staging, I’ll help you choose the option that fits your budget and maximizes your home’s value.
📲 Call/text me today to learn which staging option is right for your property.
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Q: Do I have to do everything the stager recommends?
A: No — staging is always your choice. A professional stager’s job is to highlight your home’s best features and help it appeal to the widest pool of buyers. They’ll give you recommendations based on what moves homes faster and often for more money.
Here’s how we handle it at Real Estate Resolved ♥️:
Free Walkthrough Tips (Included): I’ll give you simple, no-cost suggestions like decluttering, rearranging furniture, or changing lightbulbs. You can do all, some, or none.
Stager Recommendations: If you bring in a professional, they may suggest bigger changes like paint, new décor, or even removing/replacing furniture. These are optional — not requirements.
You Decide: Some sellers go all-in, others pick just a few changes that fit their time and budget. Even small tweaks can make a big difference.
👉 Bottom line: You’re in control. My role is to guide you on which staging steps will give you the biggest return so you feel comfortable and confident in your decisions.
📲 Call/text me if you’d like me to connect you with trusted local stagers and walk through your best options.
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Q: When will the stager bring the items to my house and what does everything look like?
A: Once you’ve approved the staging plan, the stager schedules a delivery + setup day. This is usually within 3–7 daysdepending on inventory and your listing timeline. On that day, a staging team will bring in furniture, artwork, rugs, lighting, and décor, then carefully arrange everything to highlight your home’s best features.
Occupied Homes: They’ll mix their items with yours for a fresh, updated look.
Vacant Homes: They’ll fully furnish the space so buyers can emotionally connect and imagine themselves living there.
Virtual Staging (Optional): If we choose this route, items are added digitally to your listing photos — quick, affordable, and great online, though nothing physically changes in the home.
Everything is designed to look modern, clean, and welcoming — like a model home that feels move-in ready.
👉 My role: I’ll guide you through which level of staging makes the most sense and coordinate with the stager so your home shines from day one.
🎙️ Want to dive deeper into staging?
On my podcast, Real Estate With Soul ♥️, I sat down with a professional home stager to unpack:
Why staging makes such a difference in today’s market
The biggest mistakes sellers make when skipping staging
How to choose between light, partial, full, or virtual staging
Real stories of staged homes selling faster (and for more!)
👉 Listen to the full conversation here: Real Estate With Soul Podcast – Staging Episode #132
Because staging isn’t about making your house look pretty — it’s about helping buyers emotionally connect so they can see themselves living there. And that’s what sells homes.
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Q: What do I need to do to prepare for photos?
A: Great photos are the very first showing of your home — most buyers will see them online before ever stepping inside. To make sure your home shines:
Declutter & Depersonalize: Clear off counters, pack away family photos, and minimize décor so the focus is on the home.
Deep Clean: A spotless kitchen, bathrooms, and windows make photos pop.
Maximize Light: Open blinds, replace burnt-out bulbs, and use natural light where possible.
Curb Appeal: Sweep walkways, mow the lawn, and add a fresh welcome mat or potted plant.
Small Touches: Fluff pillows, smooth bedspreads, and set the dining table with simple place settings.
✨ Want more insider tips? I cover this in detail on Episode 11 of my podcast, Real Estate With Soul ♥️ — where I walk you through exactly how to prep your home so your photos stop buyers in their scroll and get them excited to see your property in person.
👉 Listen here: Real Estate With Soul – Episode 11
Photos
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Home Is Active
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Contracts and Negotiations
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Title Company
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Inspections and Repairs
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Appraisals
+ What is an appraisal?
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+ Can the seller hire their own appraiser?
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+ How long does the appraisal take and what is involved?
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+ What factors affect the appraised value?
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+ How can I prepare for the appraisal?
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+ Will/Can I get a copy of the appraisal report?
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+ How do FHA and VA appraisals differ from a conventional loan appraisal?
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+ What happens if the home doesn't appraise?
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Surveys
+ What is a survey?
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+ Who will pay for the survey?
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+ What if I already have an existing survey?
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Preparing For Closing
+ What does it mean if the buyer's file is in "underwriting"?
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+ What does "clear to close" mean?
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+ When will my closing be scheduled?
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+ Do I have to attend the closing? What can I do if I'm out of town?
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+ My spouse isn't on the title. Will they have to be at the closing?
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+ When do I need to move out of my house?
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+ What do I need to bring to the closing?
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+ What is the final walkthrough and when will it be scheduled?
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+ When will I receive the settlement statement to review?
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+ My net proceeds amount is not what I thought it would be, why?
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+ What happens if I've already paid my HOA dues for the year?
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+ How will property taxes be handled on the settlement statement?
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+ What happens if my property taxes are in escrow?
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+ When do I schedule the utilities to be turned off?
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+ When will I receive my money after closing?
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+ What happens if I need the money from the sale of my current home to purchase my next home?
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Leases
+ What criteria is used to determine an acceptable tenant?
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+ What criteria cannot be used to determine an acceptable tenant?
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+ How does prorated rent work?
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+ What happens with the 1st month's rent?
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+ What happens with the Security Deposit?
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+ What is the inventory and condition form?
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+ How does the pet deposit work?
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+ Who is responsible for lawn maintenance and care?
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+ Who pays for the pool maintenance and care?
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+ Who is responsible for pest control and other preventative home maintenance?
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+ How are mailbox keys handled?
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+ How is rent paid every month?
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+ What happens if a tenant is late on paying rent?
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+ As a landlord, what is required of me prior to my tenants moving in?
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+ Am I allowed to enter the property if it is occupied by tenants?
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+ Am I required to provide a refrigerator, washer, and dryer for the tenants?
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+ Should I require tenants to have renter's insurance?
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+ What does a property management company do?
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+ Does Lori Alvarez and Team manage the property after a tenant moves in?
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+ What will happen when a lease term is up?
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