HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE IN CHARLESTON, SC – 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GET TOP DOLLAR
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Charleston, SC – 10 Things you Can do to Get Top Dollar
Selling your home can be very stressful. You want to put enough money into repairing and fixing it up, but you also don’t want to spend too much and not get your investment back. So how are you to know what fixes will increase the value of your home and which merely sink money that you won’t get back? Before you put your “home for sale in Charleston, SC” sign out on the front lawn, make these 10 changes to get full price or more.
1. Declutter as Much as You Can!
Over time, it is not hard to accumulate a whole lot of “stuff”. When you sell your home, you want it to shine all on its own. Not only is an excellent idea to put your family heirlooms and valuables away for safekeeping; it will also help buyers imagine their own furnishings in your home. The blanker the slate, the more that homebuyers can envision themselves and their belongings in your home after they offer you full price.
2. It is all About Curbside Appeal
The way that your house shows from the street is as important as when homebuyers walk through the front door. Some home shoppers will rule out homes before they step through your entryway due to the aesthetics of the landscaping and exterior. Spruce up exterior paint, consider planting some new bushes and add a pop of color by planting some beautiful flowers around your entryway. Curbside appeal is highly critical and a quick and inexpensive fix that can do a whole lot to welcome new buyers in!
3. Repaint the Walls
You might really love purple in your dining room, but not everyone will. A fresh coat of paint will not only make things look clean and appealing if you keep it neutral; it will have the illusion of turnkey. Potential homebuyers will spend more if they think they don’t have to do much to update when they move in. And repainting will help calm their fears of spending more once they make their purchase.
4 Update Hardware
If you have dated hardware in your kitchen or bathroom vanities, putting contemporary and new handles on can make a significant change to the feel of a space for minimal cost. Also, if you have any missing knobs or broken pieces, replace them. Being on top of those types of minor issues shows that the house is well cared for and loved. And it will also signal the homebuyer that you pay attention to the maintenance of your house all the way around.
5. Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned
New carpeting can be a significant investment. Since new homeowners typically change out old carpeting with flooring options that they choose, installing new carpeting might be a little bit of an overkill. But to make sure that there aren’t any lurking odors or major stains, have your carpeting professionally cleaned.
6. Consider Using a Stager
The best way to keep your valuables safe and to present your house in the best light is to consider having it staged. A staging professional can transform your living space with upgraded decor and enhance the “fresh-factor” of your home. Instead of working overtime to make your furniture look a little less lived in, bring in an all-new staged look.
7. Hire a Professional Cleaning Company
From day to day we stop noticing the things in our home that aren’t all that sightly. To make sure that you present the best look possible, hire a professional cleaning service to get to all those things that you might not see. A fresh eye can do a better job pinpointing what needs to be done. When you live in a space, you start to turn a blind eye to things that strangers will not.
8. Regrout Tile
If you have shower tile that looks aged, you don’t need to rip it out and redo it. Regrouting your tile comes at a fraction of the price, and it can be just as new looking as remodeling your bathroom shower altogether. When you regrout, you can take care of any mildew or mold stains that you can’t get rid of that can make even a newly constructed bathroom looked dated.
9. Clean out the Skeletons in Your Closet
Unfortunately, homebuyers can go places you wish they wouldn’t. If you have closets that are filled to the brim, don’t assume they are for your eyes only. Chalked to the “T” closets can make your home look as if it is missing enough “storage” room and gives the impression of chaos. And if you start to pack things up and deposit them for your impending move, you will be that ahead of the game!
10. Accessorize!
The best and easiest way to make your living spaces appear more appealing (and livable) is to brighten them up with more “cozy”. Throw pillows and other subtle accents are a great way to make your areas look more welcoming. Just a pillow here and there can make your house look like it is a great place to get comfy.
The key to getting the best price for your home is to spend the money necessary to make it look welcoming, but not so much that you are outpricing yourself. Don’t throw a lot of money into overhauling; just work with what you have to make it a place that someone else wants to call home. You aren’t just selling a home; you are selling someone a new place to grow roots.
If you are about to have a home for sale in Charleston, SC, let me take a look with a fresh eye and make recommendations so that you can get the most for your home today! Contact us today.