A glimpse of the ocean is all it takes to spark the imagination of a prospective buyer. Although beachfront properties in areas like Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar are always in high demand, sellers who accentuate their built-in advantages end up with smoother overall sales and better closing prices.

So, what steps should you take to prepare your property for success on the market? In competitive beach havens along the Californian coast, basic prep work can differentiate your property and put you on a path to success. Anything a seller can do to showcase the beach life in the best possible light will pay off throughout the sales process. Consider these steps for maximizing the desirability of your beachfront property.

A primary goal for any beachfront home in Newport Beach, CA, is to dazzle homebuyers with its alluring scenery. Sellers should focus on eliminating any obstructions to these ocean views, including moving decorations and furniture that aren't necessary. Generic photos of the beach can also be useful in a listing, although they lack the pizazz of seeing the startling blue Pacific from inside the home.

To create the full effect, sellers should consider having their windows professionally cleaned. Sparkling clean windows will help your listing photos pop and improve the outlook at showings. Clean windows also maximize the natural light in a home, improving buyer sentiment as soon as they walk in the door. And if a property has been on the market a while, additional window cleanings are likely well worth the cost.

Many Newport Beach homebuyers daydream about the city's miles of sensational beaches. A beachfront home will immediately command a certain level of attention, yet many sellers (and agents) make a simple mistake. Instead of showing the exact distance to the water, they leave it up to the photos and address. This creates a level of ambiguity that can stifle buyer interest instead of encouraging it.

It's also a situation easily resolved. Including a Google Maps satellite image in a listing lets customers see exactly how close the property is to the sandy shores. Other sellers utilize drone photos to show precisely where a home is in relation to the area's famous beaches. Although homebuyers can plug in the address and come up with their own conclusions, transparency can help a buyer's imagination meet reality.

The ocean can take a toll on a beachfront home. One of the main ways this shows up is in additional moisture, which can lead to a number of issues. Light fixtures can show damage sooner than expected, and mold patterns can emerge if a home has too much humidity over time. This is especially problematic if homes have limited ventilation or lack air conditioning.

Sellers should look carefully for humidity-related damage early in the process and consider replacing any affected fixtures. Updating older light fixtures with new, energy-efficient models is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the value of your coastal home.

Installing new bathroom fans is another easy and cost-effective way to help control moisture and improve ventilation. Sellers can also consider putting in dehumidifiers or additional A/C units. Such steps will give prospective homebuyers confidence that any potential moisture issues are well controlled. While a little extra moisture probably won't deter most buyers from falling in love with your home, others will look for any reason to lower the price they're willing to offer.

Beach and waterfront properties in Orange County tend to be even more highly regulated than other homes. This extra regulation can be intimidating for some homebuyers, but it's also an opportunity to anticipate questions and eliminate ambiguity. Agents should be prepared to explain zoning and code guidelines so that those who want to purchase the home can better understand what owning the property will entail.

It's best to get ahead of any inquiries and demonstrate competence. In many cases, a buyer will find that the code guidelines or water access rules are not as stringent as anticipated. Either way, providing clarity will encourage buyers to seriously consider the property and help sellers avoid issues later in the sale.

A savvy real estate professional can help determine which buyers have the most potential and which ones are simply taking a look at an amazing property. Prestigious coastal locations like Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar have unique features that only a locally-based agent can capitalize on when it comes to promoting your listing. Newport Beach attracts plenty of out-of-towners, but the local events calendar is also loaded with wine and food festivals, sandcastle contests, surfing competitions, outdoor concerts, and more. Ocean views may draw in buyers, but the thriving local community completes the coastal lifestyle. Experienced, locally based agents will help homebuyers see the complete picture of living in Newport Beach.

Every listing needs great photos to generate enthusiasm, but that dynamic is vital for beachfront homes in Newport Beach, CA. Sellers must find photographers who understand how to capitalize on a gorgeous property's most alluring features.

To choose the right photographer, look for portfolios with ample coastal scenery on display. Going beyond great sunset photos (we like these, too), photographers need to be adept at making homes feel more spacious and inviting, showing off the impressive architectural details. Many photographers can also provide drone coverage, which can be especially useful near the water. While sellers can choose a photographer on their own, a well-connected real estate agent should be able to recommend the right photographer for the job.

Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar feature some of the most desirable beachfront properties in all of Southern California. The wide, sandy beaches and calming ocean vibes create an idyllic coastal community. For any seller hoping to list in Newport Beach or Corona Del Mar, trusted Realtor® Jacqueline Macken knows how to make your home thrive in a competitive marketplace. For a personalized touch that will make all the difference, contact Jacqueline today to get started.

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