Our 20 Tips for Selling Your NC Home

It starts at the street. Curb appeal draws buyers right in.

1. Get into your car and drive away from your home. Drive back the way potential buyers would arrive. What is your first impression? Does the landscaping need pruning or do plants need to be replaced? Does the lawn need mowing and edging? Make a list of items that need attention, and remember that inexpensive annuals and perennials planted in the ground or in pots can go a long way towards enhancing curb appeal.
2. Check the driveway and curbs for cracks and crumbling. Patch as needed.
3. Fences should be mended and painted.
4. House number should be easy to read, and in good physical condition.
5. Paint your front door and mailbox.
6. Clean the gutters and downspouts.
7. If you haven’t painted recently, have your home’s exterior professionally power washed to remove stains and mildew.
8. Clean and organize the garage.
9. Your doorbell(s) should be functional and work properly.
10. Check the locks of your home, entry, back entry, and garage. They’re the first thing a buyer sees and will use, and can give an impression of a home that’s needing maintenance if not working as designed.

Make the interior warm and welcoming. People buy homes based on the emotional feelings they get from the home.

1. The entry way sets the tone. Make sure it’s in great condition with fresh paint and clean floors.
2. Drapes should be left open during daylight and lights should be on.
3. If your home has a fireplace, it should be lit in cooler weather to give a cozy feeling. The air conditioner should be on in warmer weather for comfort.
4. Replace all burned-out light bulbs and clean lighting fixtures.
5. Clean out 1/3 or more of your furniture and store it. Most homes have too much furniture for showing and you need to move anyway. You want the home to look spacious and uncluttered.
6. Put away or store nick-knacks, or overly personal items to YOU.  Clutter can quickly overwhelm a space, and the potential buyer needs to visualize their items in the home…not yours.
7. Appliances should be cleaned, and countertops neat and polished.
8. Inside of closets and cupboards should be neat and tidy.
9. Make sure your home is clean by: *Cleaning all interior and exterior windows, *Waxing or polishing floors, *Shampooing carpets,*Clean washer, dryer, and laundry tubs, *Clean window shades and blinds, *Freshen and clean bathrooms, *Clean the refrigerator and stove. *Remember that freshly painted walls in neutral colors are another easy and inexpensive way to enhance the interior of your home for prospective buyers. Hire professionals if needed.
10. Plan a pleasant aroma, like fresh cut flowers from the garden. Better still are fresh baked cookies, bread, or an apple pie. Who can resist? Sight, sound, smell play an important role in the sale of a home.