Preparing Your Home for Sale
Before putting your South Carolina home on the market, take the time to make it look its best! With a little effort on your part, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. Our associates know that a home with a well kept appearance will make buyers more comfortable that the entire home, parts seen and unseen, has been well maintained. The tips below will help you distinguish your home from its competitors.
Curb Appeal: Remember, first impressions are lasting!
- Your front door and lawn greet prospective buyers. Make sure the lawn is edged, trimmed and regularly watered. Trim hedges, weed flowerbeds and lawns, and prune overgrown trees.
- Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks or crumbling.
- Inspect the exterior doors and windows for peeling paint - touch up as needed.
- Clean gutters.
- Pressure wash the home, including windows and screens.
- Plant colorful flowering bedding plants or potted plants near front entrance.
Eliminate Clutter: Remove your own personal items so that buyers can imagine themselves and their own personal treasures in the home.
- Family photos, souveniers, knick-knacks and the like should be removed.
- Counter tops and cabinets should be cleared of unnecessary items.
- Make closets look bigger by keeping them neat and well ordered.
- Show off the full space in attics by removing unused items and organizing what you must keep, or rent an off-site storage facility and move your items out to showcase the attic's roominess.
Keep it Clean and Well Maintained:
- Clean all lighting fixtures and air vents.
- Clean window shades, blinds and shutters.
- Shampoo carpets for a fresh look and scent. If carpets are worn, consider replacing them.
- Repair caulking in bathrooms and/or kitchen if necessary.
- Organize any items remaining in the garage. Also consider clearing it out to offsite storage.
- Touch up paint if needed.
- Repair any leaky faucets, loose door knobs, broken window screens or inoperable appliances.
Welcome Prospective Buyers:
- Make sure rooms are well lit both inside and out. Illumination is inviting to people.
- Remove excess furniture from rooms to make them appear larger and to allow buyers to better imagine their own furnishings in the home.
- Set dining room and kitchen tables.
- In bedrooms, use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered window treatments.
- Turn on quiet soothing or classical music in the background.
- Go for a walk or drive during showings so the buyers will feel more comfortable to look around and discuss your property with their sales associate. If you have pets, please take them with you or relocate them off site during the showings.
The Lachicotte Company Sales Associates are ready to assist you with marketing your home. Our goal is to get you the best price possible in the shortest time on the market. Please contact us today to begin working with one of our professionals to sell your South Carolina home. To contact one of our associates and begin the selling process please click here.
