Selling a home in Charleston, SC?
Selling a home may not always be the easiest process, but Properties Plus agents make it as smooth a process as possible.
An experienced Properties Plus agent will determine the value of your home, where to price it to get it sold and handle everything from contract to closing. Moreover, our agents guide you through every step of the way throughout the process.
Just check out these seller tips by clicking on a question:
1. Stage your home for the new owner.
Mentally prepare yourself to market your home as much like an item on a store shelf. Pack up those personal items and family knick-knacks. Clear off kitchen counters and shelving. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own items in the home and they need the room to see the structural details around your current décor. You want buyers to see themselves living there. Focus on the positive fact that soon the house will no longer be yours. Picture yourself handing over the keys to the new owners! Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
2. Rearrange Closets and inside cabinets.
Buyers love to snoop and will open every closet and cabinet door. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if they sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means: · Neatly stack dishes. · Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way. · Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction. · Line up shoes.· Rent a storage unit necessary. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces that block or crowd paths and walkways. Remove leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. However, don’t remove too much furniture. You want the buyer to see a clear picture of what the room is currently used for.
3. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them before listing your home. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.
4. Make Minor Repairs.
A.Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
B. Patch holes in walls.
C. Fix leaky faucets.
D. Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
E. Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls. (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
F. Replace burned-out light bulbs.
G. If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
B. Patch holes in walls.
C. Fix leaky faucets.
D. Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
E. Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls. (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
F. Replace burned-out light bulbs.
G. If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
5. Make the House Sparkle!
A. Wash windows inside and out.
B. Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
C. Clean out cobwebs.
D. Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
E. Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
F. Clean out the refrigerator.
G. Vacuum daily.
H. Wax floors.
I. Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
J. Bleach dingy grout.
K. Replace worn rugs.
L. Hang up fresh towels.
M. Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
B. Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
C. Clean out cobwebs.
D. Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
E. Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
F. Clean out the refrigerator.
G. Vacuum daily.
H. Wax floors.
I. Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
J. Bleach dingy grout.
K. Replace worn rugs.
L. Hang up fresh towels.
M. Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
6. Scrutinize.
A. Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
B. Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
C. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
D. Make sure window coverings hang level.
E. Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
F. Does it look like nobody lives in this house?
B. Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
C. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
D. Make sure window coverings hang level.
E. Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
F. Does it look like nobody lives in this house?
6. Check Curb Appeal.
If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
A. Keep the sidewalks clear.
B. Mow the lawn.
C. Paint faded window trim.
D. Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
E. Trim your bushes.
F. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
A. Keep the sidewalks clear.
B. Mow the lawn.
C. Paint faded window trim.
D. Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
E. Trim your bushes.
F. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
