Most people that want to sell their house in Myrtle Beach, SC will want to sell it as quickly as possible. They all want top dollar, but forget about the costs associated with holding out in order to get top dollar. The longer it takes to sell, the more it ends up costing you in the long run. Utility bills, taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, etc only stop once the sale is finalized.
Statistically, the longer your home is listed, the less likely you are to get your asking price. And as you wait, your holding costs are eating into your potential profits from the sale. To get the highest return on your Myrtle Beach house, sell it quickly! In our latest post, check out our…
5 best tips to sell your home faster in Myrtle Beach!
Tip 1: Declutter
Having all of your stuff in the house is not the best way to impress a buyer. It actually makes it difficult for potential buyers to picture THEIR stuff in the house. Try to leave a blank slate for them, a house that’s neutral and has an open feel. Think minimalist style. Before you list, advertise, or have a single showing, box up and store EVERYTHING that isn’t essential. People viewing your home will consciously (or subconsciously) be turned off by clutter and items that appear too personal in a home. The will feel as if they are intruding on your space, and will never fully be able to picture themselves living in the house. You can also consider hiring a professional stager to add the right touches to your house. This could prove to be a great return on investment.
Tip 2: Professional Photos
Forget about taking grainy pictures from the camera on your phone. You really need your pictures to pop, because that’s what the competition is doing. Most buyers are searching online for their next home. They make a list and send it to their realtor who then sets up the showings. Make sure your house makes it onto their list! As the buyers are scrolling down the list of all the houses currently for sale, they are looking at each house’s main photo. You have to capture their attention in only a matter of seconds. People scroll right past a house with photos that don’t stand out. The pictures you use in your ad should present the house in the best possible light. Consider renting a wide angle lens, or hiring a professional to help you get the right shots. These costs are well worth it in the end. And make sure the main photo stands out, which brings us to our next tip…
Tip 3: Curb Appeal
You can only make one first impression. When potential buyers drive up to your home you want to “wow” them. Nothing will turn them off faster than bad curb appeal. Even if the inside of your home is gorgeous, how can you expect them to fall in love with it if their initial reaction is negative? Buying a house is a very emotional decision, and it’s hard for someone to switch emotions after a negative initial gut feeling. They say buyers decide right away if they will make an offer on a home. What potential buyers see as they are pulling up to the house will set the overall tone of the showing. Unlike many other home improvements, curb appeal can usually be done at a lower cost.
- Clean up and weed the garden/lawn. A nice cut and fresh mulch go a long way.
- Plant some flowers. There are plenty of inexpensive seasonal flowers that are easy to plant.
- New hardware such as mailbox, address numbers and door handles. These smaller things may not “pop” but they will surely stand out if they look worn out.
- Fresh coat of paint on the door. This works wonders. Believe it or not, a black front door could increase the price of a typical U.S. home by 2.9 percent.
- New doormat. Cheap, simple, effective. Just make sure it isn’t personalized.
Tip 4: Price it Right
This is probably the most important tip and will have the biggest influence on how many eyes your house will get in front of. People typically search for homes up to a certain price point, so if you are thinking of listing your home close to a large and even number, say $200,000, consider listing it at just under that mark. A home listed $199,500 instead of $202,500 will pop up in front of everyone searching for a home up to $200,000. Listing it for slightly above that can greatly reduce your buyer pool. It also makes a buyer feel like they are getting a better deal if they are able to purchase it just under a large even number. “Hey, I snagged the house for under $200k!”. Retailers do this regularly.
A great agent will be able to help you determine a list price, however, you should do a bit of homework on your own. What are other houses in the neighborhood selling for? What have other houses actually sold for? Run some comps, and don’t price too high. Many people go for the highest imaginable price, hoping to snag a buyer. However, most of the time, this only leads to continuous price cuts. And as you continue to drop the price, your listing is dropping further and further down the line. In addition, repetitive price drops will make you look desperate or give the impression that there is something wrong with the house. By starting off with a well-researched price, you will be able to hit the market and be competitive with other listings in your area. You may get multiple offers and even cause a bidding war!
Tip 5: Highlight Your Neighborhood
Location, location, location. Obviously you can’t change the location of your home, but you can highlight it’s desirability. Many of the current buyers are moving here from out of state. They aren’t as familiar with the neighborhoods as we are, and rely on others to give them info about the area. Showcase ALL of the things that make your neighborhood unique and inviting. Put together a packet to give to people viewing your house. Include information about recreational activities, schools, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and commute times. Let them know about the beach, parks, waterways, and anything you love about the area yourself. Is the neighborhood tightly knit? Cookouts and holiday events? Make sure to highlight that as well! Most people are looking for a great home in a wonderful atmosphere. Highlighting the area can be just as important as highlighting the home itself!
And one more thing…
As we talk about how the speed of the sale can be more important than getting top dollar, consider this… You list your home for $210,000, the top end of the range. After 6 months of price cuts it finally gets sold for $190,000. Those 6 months of holding costs could have very easily added up to over $12,000. Then you have to factor in the realtor commission of around $12,000 (typically 6%)! You end up netting $166,000 before fees, and after the stress of selling your house on the market. Could there have been an easier way? Yes, you could have sold to us!
Are you interested in selling your Myrtle Beach, SC house quickly? We can help sell your home faster! Send us a message now, or give our office a call today! 843-732-3529
Get treated like family with Belle Coast Properties. We simplify the house selling process… check out our testimonials here.
