If you plan on selling a house in South Carolina soon, you’ll want to make sure it’s ready for the market. Taking care of everything you can ahead of time helps generate offers and expedite the closing process. Nothing is worse than listing a home for sale and having it linger on the market because you let the ball drop in the preparation department.
Don’t forget that selling a house means you’ll be moving, so solidifying your moving plan before putting up a sale sign in your yard is a good idea. Even if you haven’t scheduled a closing a new home yet, at least have logistics and finances figured out before inviting potential buyers to tour your current home. Set funds aside for moving expenses, know which truck company you’ll use (or have other vehicles available for moving), and pack up as much as possible to declutter the house and get it ready for showings.
Consult this checklist before you list your home for sale
The following list provides basic steps to take before you list your home for sale:
- Make repairs and upgrades to avoid contingencies and haggling later.
- Find a listing agent who will work hard to help you accomplish your goals.
- Analyze your local real estate market and ask your agent to review comp sales to come up with a competitive list price for your home.
- Stage your home for showing; consider hiring a professional to do this.
- Take photos of your home and property; it’s also best to hire a professional for this.
It’s wise to avoid listing your home for sale until you’ve completed these tasks, especially if your current home is in disrepair or has issues that you know will cause problems with inspection. The more sale-ready you make your home ahead of time, the more swiftly it’s likely to move off the market.
Why hire professionals for staging and photography?
Many sellers consider it a waste of time and money to hire a professional home stager or photographer when they’re listing a home for sale. Real estate analyses suggest otherwise, however. Professional home stagers know how to highlight a home’s special features, as well as how to make rooms appear spacious. They can create an atmosphere that enables buyers to imagine themselves living in the home.
As for photography, most buyers initiate their search for a home online. There’s a big difference between professional photographs and those a seller might take with his or her cellphone. The more appealing your home and property look online, the more likely you are to get showings, which lead to offers, which will, hopefully, lead to a closing. Hiring professionals is often best when it comes to preparing to list your home for sale.