Case studies
How We Sold a Northridge Townhome for $20,050 Over Asking While the Sellers Lived in the Bay Area
SOLD FOR $620,000 | MULTIPLE OFFERS | $20,050 OVER ASKING
17740 Merridy Street, Unit 21 | Northridge, California
SOLD FOR $620,000 | MULTIPLE OFFERS | $20,050 OVER ASKING
Selling a home from hundreds of miles away can be challenging, especially when family members are still living in the property. That’s exactly the situation our sellers faced when they decided to sell their Northridge townhome while living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Through careful planning, professional home preparation, and a targeted marketing strategy, the Scott Himelstein Group helped them sell their property for $20,050 above the $599,950 asking price, attracting multiple offers without the sellers needing to oversee the work themselves.
The Challenge: Selling a Northridge Property From Northern California
Our clients owned a two-story Northridge townhome, but they were living in the Bay Area. Family members were occupying the property, so the first step was coordinating the sale around their move-out.
Once the home was vacant, the sellers needed someone local they could trust to handle the details and get the property ready for the market.
They didn’t want to travel back and forth to Los Angeles to supervise cleaning, painting, photography, and the listing process.
Our job was to make selling their Northridge home as straightforward as possible while positioning the property to attract serious buyers.
Our Strategy: Preparing the Home Before Listing
Once the family members had moved out, our team got to work preparing the property.
Rather than recommending unnecessary renovations, we focused on practical improvements that would help the townhome make a strong first impression.
Our preparation and marketing included:
- Professional cleaning: Making sure the property was clean, fresh, and ready for buyers to tour.
- Touch-up painting: Addressing areas that needed attention to give the interior a more polished appearance.
- Professional real estate photography: Capturing the home’s natural light, spacious floor plan, and most attractive features.
- YouTube video marketing: Creating a property tour to showcase the home beyond traditional listing photographs.
- Strategic listing and marketing: Presenting the home competitively to generate buyer interest and encourage strong offers.
We coordinated the preparation locally, allowing the sellers to remain in the Bay Area while we handled the details in Northridge.
Showcasing What Made This Northridge Townhome Special
This 1,369-square-foot, two-story townhome offered several features that we wanted potential buyers to appreciate.
The bright living room featured soaring ceilings, a fireplace, recessed lighting, and laminate flooring. Large windows filled the interior with natural light.
The kitchen included granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and ample cabinet storage, with an adjoining dining area that opened to the rear patio.
Both bedrooms had private bathrooms, while the oversized primary suite featured vaulted ceilings and generous closet space.
Other highlights included a large wraparound patio, remodeled bathrooms, laundry in the attached two-car garage, and a gated community with a pool, spa, and barbecue area.
The location was another important selling point. The property is conveniently located near California State University, Northridge (CSUN), shopping, restaurants, and major transportation routes.
Our photography and video marketing were designed to showcase the home’s features and help buyers understand the property’s layout, lifestyle, and location before scheduling a showing.
Explore the Northridge Townhome
View all 37 photos
Watch Our Northridge Townhome Video Tour
See how we professionally showcased the property, from the soaring ceilings and open living spaces to the private patio and gated community amenities.
YouTube Property Tour:
The Results: Multiple Offers and $20,050 Above Asking
Our preparation and marketing helped generate multiple offers on the property.
The townhome was listed for $599,950 and ultimately sold for $620,000 — $20,050 above asking price.
For our Bay Area sellers, the result was about more than the final sale price.
They had a local real estate team managing the property preparation and marketing, without needing to coordinate cleaners, painters, photographers, and other details themselves.
The transaction demonstrated how thoughtful preparation, strong presentation, and an experienced Northridge real estate agent can make a difference when selling a home remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Home in Northridge
Can I sell my Northridge home if I live outside Los Angeles?
Yes. Many homeowners sell properties in Northridge while living elsewhere in California or out of state. A local real estate agent can coordinate property preparation, photography, marketing, showings, and communication throughout the transaction. In this case, our sellers lived in the Bay Area, and we handled the local preparation and marketing once the property was vacant.
Should I make repairs before selling my Northridge townhome?
It depends on the home's condition, the cost of repairs, and the competition in the local market. Major renovations aren't always necessary. For this property, professional cleaning and touch-up painting helped prepare the home for listing without an extensive remodel. We evaluate each property individually to recommend improvements that make financial sense.
How do I sell a house in Northridge when family members are living there?
The first step is establishing a realistic timeline for the occupants to move out or planning the sale around their occupancy. Once the property is vacant, your agent can coordinate any necessary preparation and marketing. Our sellers had family members living in the townhome, so we began the property preparation after they moved out.
Can professional photography and video help sell my Northridge home?
Professional photography and video help buyers better understand a property's layout, condition, and features before scheduling a showing. For this townhome, we used professional photos and a YouTube property tour to showcase its natural light, soaring ceilings, private patio, and community amenities. While no individual marketing tactic guarantees a sale, strong visual presentation is an important part of our listing strategy.
Can a Northridge townhome sell for more than its asking price?
Yes. Depending on market conditions, pricing, property condition, and buyer demand, a townhome can attract multiple offers and sell above asking. This property was listed for $599,950 and sold for $620,000, approximately 3.3% above its asking price. Results vary by property and market conditions.
How do I choose the best real estate agent to sell my Northridge townhome?
Look for an agent with recent and relevant Northridge sales experience, a clear pricing strategy, professional marketing, and the ability to coordinate property preparation. Ask to see actual case studies showing how the agent handled challenges and achieved results. The Scott Himelstein Group combines local San Fernando Valley expertise with hands-on seller preparation and property marketing.
What is my Northridge townhome worth?
A townhome's market value depends on its square footage, floor plan, condition, recent comparable sales, HOA fees, amenities, and current buyer demand. Online estimates can provide a starting point, but an individualized market analysis can offer more meaningful guidance. Scott Himelstein can provide a complimentary home valuation based on your property's features and current Northridge market conditions.
Where Is 17740 Merridy Street #21?
The location was another important selling point. The property is conveniently located near California State University, Northridge (CSUN), shopping, restaurants, and major transportation routes.
Thinking About Selling a Home in Northridge?
Whether you’re selling a townhome, preparing a property after family members move out, or managing a sale from another city or state, the Scott Himelstein Group can help.
With more than two decades of San Fernando Valley real estate experience, Scott Himelstein understands how to prepare, price, and market homes throughout Northridge and the surrounding communities.
Let Scott work for you.
Contact Scott Himelstein for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation and find out what your Northridge home could sell for.
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