From the Desk of Johan Cisneros | The Running Realtor

As The Running Realtor, I appreciate consistency. In training, the work you put in before race day matters and selling a home is no different. Preparation usually shows.

Think of decluttering and depersonalizing as your pre-race stretching: you’re creating room to move and getting everything ready. Then come the warm-up drills, from skips to short strides. For a home, those are the small repairs, paint touch-ups, and landscaping improvements that help it make a strong first impression.

But a good race takes more than a warm-up. The long runs, sprint intervals, controlled breathing, and relaxed running form all work together. Selling takes that same coordination: thoughtful pricing, great photography, and marketing that highlights both the home and its neighborhood.

Once your home hits the market, it’s race day. You want buyers to see the results of that preparation from the moment they arrive. And just like running, starting with a clear plan gives you a stronger chance of reaching your goal.

April’s report recorded 18 single-family sales, up from 12 in March. The median sale price reached $1,135,000, while average market time fell to 21 days.

Before anyone assumes every Hawthorne home suddenly jumped in value, remember that we are comparing different groups of homes. April’s sales included several higher-priced properties.

Hawthorne business spotlight: Sweet Science Boxing & MMA

Running is my lane, but Hawthorne offers plenty of other ways to stay active. Sweet Science Boxing & MMA, at 12935 Hawthorne Boulevard, has served the community since 2009, offering training for fitness and competition.

Businesses like this are part of the neighborhood story buyers should hear.

What April means for sellers

The shorter average market time is encouraging, but it is not a promise that every listing will sell quickly. Your competition, presentation, and asking price still matter.

My approach starts before the photographs: identify the work worth doing, understand the likely buyer, and choose a price we can defend with actual sales.

If you are preparing to sell, let’s get those pieces in place first.