Top 10 List of Do’s and Don’ts When Listing Your Charlotte Home for Sale

Top 10 List of Do’s and Don’ts When Listing Your Charlotte Home for Sale

If you’re thinking of listing your Charlotte home for sale, you’re probably thinking about what you must do to do to get it SOLD.  Here is our top 10 list of do’s and don’ts when listing your Charlotte home for sale:

Do’s when listing your Charlotte home for sale

  • How to get that OOPS Too Late Sign in Your Charlotte yardDO clean and de-clutter.  What may look like a normal, lived-in to you may not be appealing to your potential buyers.
  • DO check your home for ‘general’ maintenance work that needs to be addressed and take care of it NOW.  I suggest to my sellers to have a pre-inspection done BEFORE you list your home for sale.  Things like replacing broken or worn hinges, tightening doorknobs, etc. are little things that buyers are going to notice.  I know I sound like a broken record but, put yourself in the shoes of the buyer–they will think, “If the seller hasn’t taken care of the little things, what about the BIG things?   Address it now so when the buyer has their inspection, the list will be very short!
  • DO repair sheetrock cracks and water stains from previous leaks.  You don’t want to give potential buyers the idea that you still have plumbing or roof issues.
  • DO take the time to stage your Charlotte home for sale.  This can significantly shorten the time it takes to sell, as well as raise the asking price.
  • DO hire a professional Realtor® who also hires a professional photographer to snap pictures of every room of your house.

Don’ts when listing your Charlotte home for sale

  • DON’T spend a lot of money on major upgrades unless you have to.  While you may have to replace a water heater that’s on its last leg, you don’t have to replace the carpet if cleaning it alone will revive it.
  • DON’T be stuck on your price.  The Charlotte real estate market is ever-changing.  Having a set price may make your home become ‘stale’ on the market.
  • DON’T use an ‘online’ estimate service or your tax appraisal to determine your home’s value.  Your real estate agent will compare your home to those in the neighborhood that have sold, to give you a FAR more accurate estimate.
  • DON’T go heavy on the smelly stuff!  So many sellers use plug-ins or heavily-scented sprays to clear pet or cooking odors from their home.  The best thing to do is boil an apple with some cinnamon just before a showing.  It makes your ‘guests’ feel at home and is not offensive to your guests.
  • DON’T be the elephant in the room; meaning, don’t be at home when your buyers come to tour it.  Vacate the property during showings–it is NEVER wise to be there to ‘show‘ the home.  If you are present, it causes them to feel that they need to move through your home quickly, which drastically reduces the chance of them buying your home.

Preparing and putting up your Charlotte home for sale can be a difficult task, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time.  However, following these tips can help make the process a little easier.

Thinking of selling your Charlotte home?  I can help you prepare it for the market so that it sells faster and for more money.  Call me today at (704) 491-3310 or email me at SavvyBroker@me.com.

©Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group Real Estate | Top 10 List of Do’s and Don’ts When Listing Your Charlotte Home for Sale