Are you ready to sell your Fort Mill home? Picking the right time to sell to and improving your curb appeal are just two of the many ways to maximize profits on your home sale. Let’s take a closer look.
Pick the right time to sell
Part of facilitating a successful home sale is choosing the right time to sell your house. According to data accumulated by HomeLight, the best time to sell a home in Fort Mill is in December. That means you should consider listing your house in September. Recent market trends show that this specific timeframe could net you 4.7% more than the yearly average. The trend for Fort Mill is a little different than the national average.
Typically, the best time to sell property is in the late spring, but given the unprecedented pandemic era and fast-changing marketplace we've seen throughout the past two years, these "traditional" timelines have changed. Don't expect too much difference between 2022 real estate market trends than what we saw in 2020 and 2021.
Spring is seen as the best time to sell homes because warmer weather and longer days give buyers more time to go out searching for their dream home. Plus, tax refunds typically become available in the late winter and early spring, providing buyers and sellers funds that can go toward home repairs and down payments.
Hire an experienced Fort Mill real estate agent
Hiring an agent is an efficient way to net a higher price on your home. A skilled real estate professional can help you market your house effectively, strategize an optimal price point, connect you to expert vendors and assist you in understanding the finer details in the paperwork and contracts that come with real estate transactions.
Use competitive pricing strategies
Pricing your home to sell is a critical part of selling your house quickly and for a significant profit. You should let the market guide you as you research recent comparable sales for properties that are similar to yours in size, location, and features. These "comps," as they're commonly called, will give you a good idea of your property's value and a starting point for pricing it. Consult with your agent to analyze data and recent trends so you can determine the best price for your home.
While the price can be adjusted, it's important to get it right the first time, as the initial price will be a buyer's first impression. Sometimes sellers think pricing a home below its market value is an excellent strategy to generate more offers, but sometimes it can result in you leaving significant money on the table. In short, be smart, do your research and talk to your agent to determine the right number.
Consider making minor renovations to maximize ROI
You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to make your house look fresh and modern. A few minor renovations and adjustments can go a long way toward maximizing your return on investment (ROI) without breaking the bank. There are two main rooms you should focus on when it comes to making minor upgrades: the kitchen and the bathrooms. If you can swap dated appliances for newer models, that's a great way to improve your house's overall appearance.
Depending on how much money you have to spend, you could also consider adding custom cabinetry or redoing the counters. You might want to add more storage space or replace light fixtures in the bathrooms. You don't need to get too fancy. There's no point in completely redoing part of your house with significant renovations — they're not guaranteed to make a difference to your property's overall price. Instead, focus on small changes that are proven to increase ROI.
Get your house in tip-top condition
Whether or not you decide to make upgrades to your house, you'll need to make your home look its absolute best through a combination of deep cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalization. It's also recommended that you have your home staged professionally, as staged houses are proven to sell faster and for a higher profit. Kimberly and her team offer free staging services to their clients that are especially beneficial to anyone selling in the Fort Mill area.
The entire house should be cleaned from top to bottom, but pay special attention to the main rooms, such as the kitchen and living areas. Scrub the walls, deep clean the carpets, mop the floors, polish doorknobs, dust the corners, and anything else that needs to be done to make your house sparkle.
Boost your curb appeal
A first impression is the only impression that matters. Buyers will decide if they want to give your property serious consideration based solely on what it looks like on the outside. Boosting your home's curb appeal is critical to making a successful sale. Even if you think your house looks great, it's worth getting multiple opinions and consulting with your agent to see what areas could use some updates.
When it comes to curb appeal, focus on landscaping, mowing the lawn, weeding, and maintaining your garden. If you don't have a garden, consider adding some potted plants to the windowsill or at least a hanging flower or two. Clean up the entryway to ensure it looks appealing. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint on your front door can work wonders, and so can changing the light fixtures and swapping out the old hardware. You might also think about replacing your dated mailbox with a new one.
Use smart marketing techniques
One of the most significant advantages that come with hiring an experienced Fort Mill real estate agent is having an expert who knows how to market your house to the broadest possible pool of qualified buyers. Your agent will take care of the marketing — you just need to ensure your house continues to look its best between showings and open houses.
Kimberly will create an innovative digital and traditional marketing campaign to showcase your house to other agents. Since almost all home searches begin online now, she will ensure your house is getting maximum exposure via social media and online postings.
Look into getting an inspection and appraisal
Sometimes sellers will get an inspection and/or appraisal before listing their home on the market. Doing so has a few pros and cons. The cons are that a buyer typically gets an inspection once they've decided they are interested in the house, and thus it might seem pointless to have your home inspected twice. However, doing so beforehand also has its advantages.
For starters, getting a pre-inspection allows the seller to make repairs to their home before listing, potentially netting you more money in the long run. Having a professional appraise your house might also allow for a smoother and more efficient transaction that gives you a clear and accurate idea of what to price your home before it is listed. Most of all, getting an inspection or appraisal early makes the seller appear like a trustworthy individual. Buyers will appreciate the amount of work and care you've put into preparing your property for sale.
Deciding to sell your home is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But if you are ready to sell your Fort Mill home, reach out to The Kimberly Magette Group today to get started. Having lived in the area for over 15 years, Kimberly is experienced in the local market and can help you sell your house for maximum profit.
