Last Updated on March 14, 2023 by Eric
The real estate market in Upstate South Carolina still favors sellers, which is excellent news for those of you who are hoping to sell your home. In fact, just this year the Greenville metro area ranked #5 on the 2023 National Association of Realtors’ Top 10 housing markets.
Just because homes are selling more quickly and for higher prices than we’re used to seeing, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to prepare your home for sale.
After all, you want to get the most money out of your investment as possible, right?
Taking the time to ensure your home is in optimal condition for potential buyers can have a significant impact on the final sale price of your property.
Here are have five tips for selling your home in 2023 in Upstate South Carolina:
1. Price It Right
Pricing your house right is essential regardless of the type of market. Overpricing your home can lead to prolonged market exposure, resulting in potential buyers questioning the property’s desirability and ultimately costing you both time and money.
On the other hand, underpricing may result in a quicker sale but at the expense of realizing the full potential value of your asset.
In other words: Price it too low, and you could miss out on money. Price it too high, and it will sit on the market forever, which costs you time and money.
Before your house is listed for sale, make sure to do your research. See what the other homes in the area have sold for and price yours accordingly. Take into consideration factors such as square footage, age, condition, and unique features.
2. Know What Buyers Want
When you’re putting together your marketing photos and descriptions, make sure to include images of the things buyers in your area are looking for. In our neck of the woods, people want that lake life, so if your home has a huge deck overlooking Lake Keowee, make sure that it is highlighted. To sell a house on the lake, you will want to:
- Include high-quality photos that make use of picturesque lake views
- Emphasize on easy water access
- Highlight private dock, if applicable
- Feature landscaped outdoor areas for entertaining
- Consider incorporating video tours or walkthroughs that capture the ambiance of the lake and surrounding scenery
A real estate agent can assist you with the production of photos, videos, and marketing materials for selling your house.
If your home isn’t on the lake, make sure to discuss how long the walk or drive to get there is, as well as mentioning any nearby marinas, boat ramps, or other marine facilities.
For instance, if your home is located in Seneca but the property isn’t directly on the lake, your marketing materials should mention the short drive or walk to the lake, and highlight the convenience of nearby facilities such as Lake Keowee Marina.
By emphasizing these points, you can effectively appeal to the desires of prospective buyers who are specifically seeking homes with convenient access to the lake lifestyle.
3. Make Improvements
If you want to make sure to get the most money possible, you may want to consider making some improvements to the home before it hits the market. You could add a sunroom or redo your deck. Both projects have been shown to increase a property’s value. You could also make more minor improvements like replacing outdated appliances or giving the home a fresh coat of paint could go a long way.
Some examples of improvements you might consider include:
- Renovating bathrooms: Upgrading fixtures, adding new tiles, or installing a stylish vanity can give your bathrooms a fresh, contemporary feel, making them more appealing to potential buyers.
- Updating your kitchen: Replacing outdated appliances with energy-efficient models, installing new countertops, or refreshing cabinetry can create a more modern and functional kitchen, which is often a focal point for buyers.
- Adding a sunroom: A sunroom can provide additional living space and allow homeowners to enjoy natural light and outdoor views year-round, making it an attractive feature for many buyers.
- Enhancing curb appeal: Simple landscaping improvements, power washing the exterior, or repainting the front door can create a strong first impression and entice buyers to explore further.
- Interior paint refresh: A fresh coat of neutral-colored paint can instantly brighten and modernize your home’s interior, making it more inviting and appealing to a wide range of buyers.
- Redoing your deck: An updated, well-maintained deck can significantly improve your home’s outdoor appeal, providing a comfortable space for relaxation and entertainment.
By investing in these types of improvements, you can not only increase your property’s value but also set it apart from the competition, potentially resulting in a quicker sale at a higher price. However, it’s essential to carefully assess the costs and potential returns of each project before undertaking any significant renovations or upgrades. Consulting with a local real estate professional can provide valuable guidance in determining which improvements are likely to yield the greatest return on investment.
4. Clean Up!
Your home needs to be squeaky clean when it is shown to potential buyers. A messy, dirty home is a huge turn-off for buyers, and even though buyers don’t have a lot of room to nitpick in this market, you still want to put your best foot forward. To make a positive impression on potential buyers, consider these cleaning tips:
- Remove extra stuff: Clear out things you don’t need to make your home feel bigger and more open. This helps buyers imagine their own things in the space.
- Clean everything: Wash windows, floors, carpets, and counters. Pay attention to areas that people use a lot, and don’t forget about places like baseboards, light fixtures, and air vents.
- Address odors: Make sure your house smells fresh and clean by getting rid of any pet, cooking, or smoke smells.
- Keep closets and storage neat: Buyers like to see how much storage a house has, so make sure your closets, cabinets, and pantries are organized.
- Clean up outside: Sweep pathways, trim bushes, and keep your yard looking nice to make your home look more appealing from the outside.
It may be worth it to hire a professional cleaning service to make sure your house is free of dust and dirt. Basic cleaning tasks like vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and tidying up can keep your house presentable and appealing to potential buyers who might visit on short notice.
Deeper cleaning might involve tasks like washing baseboards, cleaning inside appliances, scrubbing grout, and washing windows. It can be particularly beneficial before listing your home for sale. Deep cleaning can make even an older home feel “fresh and new.”
5. Work With Qualified Realtors
When the real estate market heats up, more people get a real estate license in hopes of making a quick buck.
These agents do not know how to protect your best interests throughout the process, nor do they know the real estate market like the experts at Bob Hill Realty. Our agents can also help you out with the four tips listed above, so you won’t have to do much more than pack up your belongings!
When you’re ready to take the next step in selling your home, give us a call so we can schedule an in-home sales consultation. We will go through your home and develop a personalized pricing and marketing strategy guaranteed to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.
