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— Tips
for the Savvy Home Buyer
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We have some great tips for
both buyers and sellers. (Just click on the links at left.)
Please let us know if any one suggestion was helpful to
you on our Contact Us form.
Thank you! |
| — Tips
for the Savvy Homeowner |
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BUYING A NEW HOME
Interested in buying a new home? We have some tips that will help to make
the process go more smoothly.
Location, Location,
Location
That old saying still holds true -- and probably always will. The location
of your home can have a profound effect on your "quality of life." But
a location's amenities can be important to one home buyer and not to another.
Have
you evaluated
what is important to you and your family? Schools, church, shopping, are obvious
criteria. How about homes with established trees and landscaping?
Or do you prefer new construction? Are there nearby parks and recreational
opportunities? What about privacy? How long is the commute to your
job?
Pre-Approval
If you will be financing the purchase of your new home,
it might be a good idea to be "pre-qualified" for a
loan by your lender before you begin looking at properties.
Not
only will this save time when you finally find
the home you want, but can save you the disappointment
of looking at (and longing for) homes out of
your price range. And if a seller knows you have been
"pre-qualified,"
your
offer could appear more advantageous over a competing
offer, if there is one. Your VIP Properties of Charleston
agent can help walk you through the process if you've
never done it before -- and even recommend a lender.
Real Estate Agent vs. Sell By Owner
If you are considering selling your own home, we hope
the tips on this page will be helpful. However, sometimes
complicated issues arise during the course of a real
estate
transaction where a real estate agent's
expertise can be invaluable. We hope you will consider
calling us to discuss your
desire to sell your home. We can offer you our years
of experience in real estate deals, along with the
peace of mind that comes with working with a savvy
professional. |
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SELLING YOUR HOME
Once you've decided to
sell your home, there are several things you can do to
help
ensure
that
your home sells
quickly.
Clean, Clean, Clean
We can't stress enough the importance of this step
so we put it first on our list. It is difficult sometimes
for a potential buyer to imagine their belongings
in your home. It's even more difficult if that home is unkempt. You will sell
your home more quickly if it looks clean and neat. If you are unable to clean
your home yourself, DO hire someone to do it for you – it will be money
well spent. Don't forget to clean the appliances that will be staying with the
house, too.
Clear Out the Clutter
Your home will sell faster if the rooms are clear of clutter, personal items
and excessive furniture. Put away magazines and any piles of papers and bills
you might have out. Clear off kitchen countertops of appliances, cookbooks,
etc. This may be a good time to reorganize your closets and drawers before
you have to pack things for your move. Remove personal items that you might
have hanging on the refrigerator (the kids' artwork, magnets, etc.). Put
away personal photos and any potentially offensive artwork or decorations
that might draw attention away from what a great house you have.
Open Up the Space
If your home appears cramped because of too much furniture, move some of it
out to the garage or rent a storage unit. Or if you don't need it, hold a
moving sale and sell it! You can also donate items in good condition to Goodwill
and other charities. Remember to let buyers focus on your ROOMS, not your
furniture or belongings. By removing excess furniture, you will allow buyers
to envision their own items in your space -- and help your home to sell itself. How Does Your Home Look From the Street?
It has been said that buyers
form an opinion about your home within the first
20 seconds of
seeing
it. This means your home's "curb appeal' is
very important. Wash the windows, sweep walkways and
brush
off any cobwebs in the eaves and vents. Some colorful
plants or flowers near the front entrance will brighten
and improve your home's appearance. If painting or landscaping
is needed to improve your home's look, consider your
budget
for such an expenditure and the potential return on your
investment. |
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Update the Decor
if Needed
Sometimes we just don't "see" our outdated decor. Perhaps the
paint or wallpaper is old or dated, but because we see it every day, it looks
fine to us. Perhaps all a room needs is new paint; or window treatments or light
fixtures. While updating your home's decor is not always necessary, It COULD
be a good idea depending on how your home is perceived by potential buyers. To
find out, you could ask a friend or relative to walk through your home to do
an
honest evaluation from a potential buyers point-of-view. Have them take written
notes
on their impressions of the exterior and then each room and any ideas for improvements.
You may be surprised by the results. |
Maintenance & Home Repair
Nothing lasts forever, right? This is true of most
buildiings. Almost all homes need periodic maintenance
to last through the
years.
If you
have delayed any maintenance on your home, now might
be the time to take care of it. Be aware that you must,
by law, disclose any known problems to
interested
buyers. If maintenance issues have been resolved,
that should be part of the disclosure, too. Unresolved
maintenance issues can adversely affect your ability
to sell your home, especially at or above market value.
Be sure to discuss these issues with your real estate
agent prior to listing your home for sale.
Once your home and yard are clean and neat, you should keep
them that way until your home sells! You'll be
less flustered if your agent calls for a quick showing
with
a potential buyer. Good luck! |
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