Tips to help sell your Charlotte home Archives - Houses for Sale in Charlotte NC

Preparing to Sell Your Charlotte Home? Then, Think Like A Real Estate Agent!

12/29/2018 by Debe 1 Comment

Think Like a Charlotte Real Estate Agent

Before putting your Charlotte home on the market, you will want to make certain that your home is in tip-top condition to ensure a quick sale. The key to listing your home is a competitive price and ascertaining you have what buyers are looking for. The trick to that is to think like a Charlotte real estate agent.

To prepare your home to sell, here are five easy and inexpensive home improvements this Charlotte REALTOR® recommends:

Layout – Take an objective look at your home and stage your home accordingly. Remove clutter and rearrange furniture so that potential buyers can envision each room’s purpose. Also, store any large or obtrusive furniture that disrupts walking flow or makes rooms look smaller.
Charm – Play up the unique features of your home. Refinish hardwood floors if they’re scuffed, remove excess objects from built-in bookshelves and clean unique light fixtures. It’s these irreplaceable elements that make your home stand out from other homes and hook buyers.
Hardware – Update all of your hardware. Changing out door handles, drawer pulls and light fixtures is an easy way to modernize your home while spending very little money.
Scent – Eliminate all bad odors like pet smells, stale cooking odors and cigarette smoke. Just lighting candles or spraying air freshener won’t work. Clean, deodorize and get rid of rugs or other cloth objects that still smell bad.
Curb Appeal – Spend some time sprucing up the yard. Keep in mind that the exterior is the first impression buyers will have, and although the interior may be in mint condition, a lot-of-work lawn could instill a negative notion before your prospective buyers even step foot inside your home.

Buyers’ needs vary in every market. However, buyers will always consider these five features before they buy. So, stay one step ahead of the game and ensure your house is up to par with buyers’ expectations.

If you’re getting ready to sell your home and are looking for a Charlotte real estate agent who can help you sell your home fast and for top-dollar, I’d be honored to be interviewed for the job. Give me a call today or email me to schedule an appointment.

5 Great Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home During the Holidays

11/26/2018 by Debe Leave a Comment

5 Great Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home During the Holidays

Every year, about this time, at least one of my sellers will ask, “Should we wait until after the holidays to list our home?” Some even ask, “Should we take our home off of the market for the holidays and put it back on the market on January 1?”

My answer is always – you can list now with less competition than in the spring and know that the buyers who come through your home during the month of December are SERIOUS buyers!

Here are five great reasons to list during the holidays:

Relocation buyers are out there shopping and they are very serious buyers. Many companies restructure during the month of November and insist that their new employees be in their destination cities/offices by the end of the year.
You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You remain in control of your showing times.
Homes actually show better when decorated for the holidays – just don’t over-do it!
As I mentioned above, there is minimal competition for you as a seller right now because all home sellers think exactly as you asked – “Perhaps we should wait.” Inventory of homes for sale traditionally slows during the late fall, early winter months.Let’s take a look at listing inventory as compared to the same time last year; as you can see those October, November, December & January months have the least amount of competition on the market.

5. The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. As well, new construction will continue to surge which can very well lessen the demand for your house in 2019.

Bottom Line

While waiting seems like a good thing to do, it really doesn’t make sense to do so.

Thinking of selling your Charlotte home? Let’s talk! Call or text (704) 491-3310 and let’s wrap up your home sale during the month of December!

c© Debe Maxwell | RE/MAX Executive | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | 5 Great Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home During the Holidays

How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

11/14/2018 by Debe Leave a Comment

How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

When it comes to remodeling a bathroom, you want to plan appropriately. Things can get expensive quickly, so you want to keep your budget tight and ensure that you have the best ROI for the projects chosen. If you’re planning to redo your home’s bathrooms, here is what you need to know to get the most from your money.

Think About ROI

One of the big rooms to remodel before putting the house on the market is the bathroom. While building a new bathroom may not give the best return, adding additions and renovating can. Painting, especially a calming color like blue, can show an increase in sale price by over $5,000. It’s inexpensive, and you can do it yourself well. If you get a contractor to redo a bathroom, it may cost almost $20,000, but you’ll see, on average, a 70 percent return. It’s worth doing the bathroom well, but to avoid that hefty price tag, you want to do it smart. Create a budget and stick to it by deciding what you can do by yourself and what you need a professional to manage. A good idea of how to establish the absolute maximum you should spend is to determine the value of your house and divide it by the number of rooms you have. This figure should be no more than the value of a single room.

Make It Efficient

There is almost never enough room for storage in bathrooms. Between chemical storage, shampoos and soaps, and the many towels, we end up needing to be creative. Having additional storage options can see a good ROI, and it doesn’t take much effort to make it happen. You can add or create pullout shelving in your existing cabinets for extra storage. More complex projects could be done to make the room appear larger and offer more space to move about it. A corner sink takes up less room and can allow for further development, such as putting in a towel hamper or a new shelf. You can do other easy installs yourself, such as adding towel bars on the back of the bathroom door to maximize room. Bars and shelving aren’t expensive, especially if you install them yourself to save the cost of additional labor.

What to Do Yourself

Determining what you can do yourself depends on how adventurous you are and your level of experience. If you have done some projects in the past, you may be able to branch out and update your toilet, replace a sink, or even install a shower door. Make sure you do your research before you begin, as there may be permits you need to acquire for bigger projects. You need to really plan before you start, even down to what color scheme you will be choosing, as you certainly don’t want your tile to clash with the countertop. You may find that things like replacing faucets and shower heads are easier than ripping out and laying down a new floor. Adding shelving is less intensive than adjusting plumbing, so think about what effort you’re willing to put into this remodel. You’ll need basic equipment as well, like a safety mask, gloves, electric tools, buckets, and spackle. This is not something to take on lightly, so compare the price of buying tools and taking time to accomplish the remodel with hiring a contractor.

Hiring a Contractor

When it comes to complicated matters, it really is best if you hire a professional. Not only do they have the tools and experience needed, but you can injure yourself if you fiddle with plumbing and wiring and something goes awry. Things like redoing your shower or tub, installing a lighting fixture, or replacing a toilet should be left to those who have ample experience. Only tackle what you are 100 percent certain you can handle with no risk to yourself.

If you are thinking of remodeling, don’t panic. It will be work, but at the end of the day, it can be greatly worth it. Be sure that you plan to get the best ROI possible, and know when you need to hire a professional to keep things safe.

Many thanks to guest writer, Eugene Williams
http://diydad.info/

*How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

Three Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home By Owner

11/05/2018 by Debe Leave a Comment

Three Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home By Owner

Real estate technology has made giant strides over the past few years, allowing home buyers to search for properties online. As well, this technology is giving home sellers the perception that they have the ability to research their home’s value and even accept offers to purchase their home conveniently online.

Are you a homeowner who is thinking about selling your home on your own? Ask yourself these three questions before you follow the inclination to go it alone.

What is my home worth?

Your home is an investment and you should protect it – just like in a traditional selling scenario, you could be leaving money on the table if you accept the first Offer. Consider an opinion from an experienced real estate agent who is familiar with your neighborhood and the local real estate market. Also take note of home improvements needed to be made as well as those that have been done. These projects are not considered in online evaluation tools – but, an experienced real estate agent will know what each improvement will bring as far as your return on investment (ROI).

Who will represent me and my interests?

When you choose to use an experienced, full-time agent, your interests and your investment, can be better protected. Real estate agents can offer guidance on more than just pricing but, on contracts, paperwork, negotiations and much more. When selling on your own, you are representing yourself and therefore taking on all the work AND the liability that goes with it.

How quickly will I sell my home?

Your home may very well take a few more days to hit the market, which can include additional days for staging, needed renovations and repairs. As a real estate professional, I’m here to guide you through the ‘preparation’ stage so that you will have a much more successful sale. Your speed of sale once listed, is based on a variety of factors including location, available buyers and how motivated you are. A seller’s agent can help you understand the process, point out unnoticed faults of the property before going on the market and negotiate fair contract terms, all while helping you accomplish your goal of selling your home quickly.

Thinking of selling your home on your own? Let’s talk first! Call or text me at (704) 491-3310 – or email me at DebeM@remax.net.

9 Open House Preparations That Sellers Can’t Afford to Overlook

09/27/2018 by Debe Leave a Comment

9 Open House Preparations That Sellers Can’t Afford to Overlook

A great open house calls for more than tidying and sweeping. Overlooking small details could leave buyers with a poor impression of your home and lead to low offers. If you’re hosting an open house to help sell your home, you can’t afford to skip these nine tasks.

1. Cleaning the Windows

You might not give your windows much thought, but dirty, smudged glass distracts buyers and makes your home seem less clean. For sparkling clean, streak-free windows, follow cleaning tips from Cleanipedia.

2. Organizing Cabinets

Don’t try to hide messes by shoving them into cabinets, closets, and drawers. Serious buyers will poke around in storage spaces. Make sure they’re left with the impression of ample storage by minimizing and organizing the contents of your cupboards. This is also the perfect opportunity to clean the interior of storage areas.

3. Hiding Signs of Pets

Some buyers are dissuaded by pets in a home. Hide signs of pets by boarding your dog on the day of the open house and putting food dishes, dog beds, toys, and other pet items in a bin that you can store in your vehicle. You’ll also need to complete a deep clean to eliminate pet odors—you might not notice them, but buyers will.

4. Replacing Light Bulbs

Bright and even lighting helps your home look its best, but if bulbs are burnt out, your buyers may be left squinting. Walk through your home and make sure all the bulbs are working and that bulbs in multi-bulb fixtures match.

5. Dusting Ceiling Fans

If you think prospective buyers won’t look up, think again. When they do, you don’t want them noticing trails of dust hanging off your ceiling fans. Pull out the ladder and give ceiling fan blades a dusting before opening up your house.

6. Fixing Loose Handles

A loose doorknob, drawer pull, or faucet handle will leave buyers wondering what other parts of your home are in disrepair. Thankfully, these repair jobs are easy to DIY, even if you don’t have any experience.

7. Airing Out the House

When your house is closed up, it doesn’t take much for odors to develop. Before the open house begins, open windows for a few minutes to get stale smells out and fresh air in. Sellers should also follow Realtor.com’s advice and not cook anything stinky the day before an open house. This is the perfect time to try that new restaurant you’ve been eyeing!

8. Cleaning the Front Walk

Your front walkway is one of the first things buyers see upon approaching your home. Help it make a good impression by weeding around the walkway, replacing broken pavers, repairing crumbling mortar, and pressure-washing to remove dirt and grime.

9. Removing Family Photos

Buyers should imagine their own family living in the house, not yours. Depersonalize your décor by removing family photos, fridge hangings, and kids’ trophies. Use generic artwork to bring some color and life back into the space.

As you check these items off your list, make sure you’re practicing basic DIY safety. Don’t climb on ladders without someone to spot you, understand safe usage of power tools, wear appropriate clothing and safety gear, and never try to do electrical or plumbing work on your own. While it’s great to save money by doing things yourself, a few dollars is never worth your health and safety. If you’re uncomfortable with a task or lack the knowledge to do it safely, hire a professional instead.

Sellers have a big influence on the outcome of an open house. If you don’t take care of details like these, it doesn’t matter how well your real estate agent markets the event—if buyers aren’t impressed with what they see, you won’t hear from them again. For the best results, make sure your house is clean, organized, and fully functional before the first visitors arrive.

Post contributed by : Eugene Williams – http://diydad.info/

Thinking of selling your Charlotte home? Let’s Talk! Call or text (704) 491-3310 or email SavvyBroker@me.com

Visit Charlotte Open Houses –

Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group |RE/MAX Executive | SavvyBroker@me.co | 9 Open House Preparations That Sellers Can’t Afford to Overlook

WANTED: Charlotte Homes to Sell NOW in 2018!

04/29/2018 by Debe Leave a Comment

Attention Charlotte Homeowners!

WANTED: Charlotte Homes to Sell NOW in 2018!

Thinking of Selling Your Charlotte Home in the Coming Months?

Why not consider listing your home NOW?

We’ve got buyers but, unfortunately our inventory is so incredibly low right now, there is little from which our buyers can choose. We are seriously in need of homes for sale in the Charlotte area!

WANTED: Charlotte Homes to Sell NOW!

For those searching for ‘all’ homes for sale in the Charlotte (proper) market, you may not believe that our inventory is this low but, it is! 2,543 homes (single family, condos/townhomes and lots) are for sale in the Charlotte (proper) area. This is 19.9% less than the inventory that we had last year which was already a very tight market.

47,353 homes (single family, condos/townhomes, lots) were sold in the city of Charlotte in 2017, further reducing our inventory significantly. Because of the greatly reduced supply, many buyers are simply not finding what they’re looking for within the current available inventory!

If you’re thinking of selling your home, we have buyers in specific areas with broad specifications as follows:

Historic & Inner-City Communities (Myers Park, Dilworth, Elizabeth, Eastover, Cotswold)
SouthPark area (Foxcroft, Carmel Park, Stonecroft, Barclay Downs, Morrocroft, Montibello and Quail Hollow Estates)
South Charlotte area – all price ranges (Zip Code 28277 & 29708 [Fort Mill, SC])
3-5 bedrooms
2, preferably 3+ baths
Outdoor living space/hardscaping – fire pits/fireplaces, patios, covered terraces
UPDATED kitchens and baths
Hardwood floors are a MUST for most home buyers

The condition of a marketable home is imperative! MOST buyers do not wish to modify or renovate; buyers are demanding move-in ready homes! If you’re thinking of selling and have a home in any these areas, we may just have that buyer for you! Let us know if you’re ready to list your Charlotte home. If our buyers are not the right fit for your home, we’d love to work with you to list your Charlotte area home for sale.

This is a great time for you to buy that move-up home as well–interest rates are at historical lows and you just don’t want to miss this opportunity as not only are prices going up in your neighborhood, they are in the areas that you’re looking to buy as well.

Most recent data on market activity in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg real estate market:

***Note, the supply is down to 1.7 months (a 19.0% reduction, year-over-year) in Charlotte (Proper) and the demand is UP!

Current Inventory in all of Mecklenburg County is down 14.0%. NOTE: In FEB 2005 (the height of the Charlotte real estate market), the inventory was at a 10.6 month supply; compare that to the current, 1.7 month supply.

With that in mind, it is easy to see how desperately we need listings in the Charlotte area…NOW!

*Data provided by CMLS; deemed reliable but, not guaranteed.

Yes, it’s true– we need Charlotte homes to sell NOW! With a 1.7 month supply of homes, it’s definitely a strong sellers’ market. Buyers are waiting in the wings to pounce on their dream home! We currently have buyers who have sold their homes and are residing in rentals, simply waiting for the right home to be listed–there are just not enough choices right now.

If you have been waiting until you have built more equity in your home, your wait may just be over. See how our marketing plan brings you top dollar in the shortest amount of time – we get RESULTS for our Sellers.

Remember, we don’t just list homes, we SELL them…and we sell them for top dollar and in far less time!

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Preparing to Sell Your Charlotte Home? Then, Think Like A Real Estate Agent!

Think Like a Charlotte Real Estate Agent

5 Great Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home During the Holidays

5 Great Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home During the Holidays

Bottom Line

How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

Three Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home By Owner

Three Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home By Owner

What is my home worth?

Who will represent me and my interests?

How quickly will I sell my home?

9 Open House Preparations That Sellers Can’t Afford to Overlook

9 Open House Preparations That Sellers Can’t Afford to Overlook

1. Cleaning the Windows

2. Organizing Cabinets

3. Hiding Signs of Pets

4. Replacing Light Bulbs

5. Dusting Ceiling Fans

6. Fixing Loose Handles

7. Airing Out the House

8. Cleaning the Front Walk

9. Removing Family Photos

Visit Charlotte Open Houses –

WANTED: Charlotte Homes to Sell NOW in 2018!

WANTED: Charlotte Homes to Sell NOW in 2018!

Thinking of Selling Your Charlotte Home in the Coming Months?

Why not consider listing your home NOW?

If you’re thinking of selling your home, we have buyers in specific areas with broad specifications as follows:

Most recent data on market activity in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg real estate market:

Current Inventory in all of Mecklenburg County is down 14.0%. NOTE: In FEB 2005 (the height of the Charlotte real estate market), the inventory was at a 10.6 month supply; compare that to the current, 1.7 month supply.

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