The Trembley Group Real Estate in Myrtle Beach, SC shares some of their top secrets to help you get the most money in the shortest time possible when selling your home.

Selling Secret #10: Price it right
Find out what your home is worth, then discount it by 10% or more. You’ll be overwhelmed by buyers with multiple bids and they’ll bid up the price over true market value. It takes real courage and a skilled real estate specialist, and most sellers just don’t want to risk it…but it’s honestly the single best strategy to sell a home in today’s market.

Selling Secret #9: Half-empty closets
Storage is something every buyer is looking for, especially in older homes.  Really, there can’t ever be too much storage. We recommend that you clean out half of your closets then neatly organize what’s leftover. Buyers are nosey, especially the serious ones who are making their final home selection.  You can be assured that they will open doors and cabinets, so be sure to keep all your closets, shelves, and drawers neatly organized. Download this handy checklist to use when preparing your home for sale. Organizing your closets is just one of the many items included to help you stay on track in the pre-listing stage.

Selling Secret #8: Lighten it up
Maximize the light in your home. Besides price, home size, and location, buyers cite that good lighting is one of the primary features they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to bring in more natural light. Just make sure your house feels open and full of sunshine. It will definitely make a great first impression. Click the following link for a few additional tips from Angie’s List: Brighten A Dark Room 

Selling Secret #7: Hire the right agent.
One of the costliest mistakes you could make is hiring the wrong real estate agent. Make sure you have a broker who completely understands local market trends. They must constantly monitor the multiple listing service (MLS), know what properties are selling in your neighborhood and for what price. Find someone who embraces technology.  A tech-savvy real estate agent has many tools to get your house sold.  We encourage you to earn more about the innovative marketing strategies used by The Trembley Group to promote their listings to thousands of potential buyers.

Selling Secret #6: Send the four-legged friends away for the day.
You might think your adorable French bulldog would be loved by potential buyers as much as you do, but that’s a wrong assumption. Not everybody likes pets.  Sometimes there are allergies and anxieties attached to dogs and cats. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give them the impression that your house is not clean. If you’re planning an open house or have a showing scheduled, send the four-legged children to a pet hotel for the day.  Please click on the following link for pet sitting and boarding options in the greater Myrtle Beach area: Dog Boarding Myrtle Beach 

Selling Secret #5: Don’t over-upgrade
Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Grand scale makeovers, not so much. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Get a new fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout.  It’s always a great idea to paint the front door and make sure all porch lighting and ceilings are clean and free of dirt and cobwebs.

Selling Secret #4: Take the home out of your house
You’ve probably heard this one from every real estate agent you’ve ever interviewed. One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. Potential buyers can’t imagine themselves living in your house, if you have a lot of personal stuff still there. This is very true! The pros at Cube Smart Storage agree too. Take at least a 1/3 of your stuff to storage. This includes family photos, picture frames, memorabilia collections, everything off the refrigerator, and personal keepsakes. One of the simplest tricks is to de-clutter all shelves and tables by leaving only 2-3 items of general décor in each area. You should also remove large pieces of furniture and arrange the remaining pieces to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space.  Less is more.

Selling Secret #3: Understand that the kitchen is the most important room.
You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy the newest “used” stainless appliances you can find online and consider painting or re-facing your cabinets. Enjoy these DIY tips from HGTV or consult with a local resource such as the Home Depot for more advice.

Selling Secret #2: Make sure your house is show-ready.
Your house needs to always be “show-ready” because you never know when the buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to make the house available whenever they want to come see it and it has to be in “housekeeper just left, kids moved out, we have no pets” condition. Haha. Seriously, just use common sense. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, make sure the bathrooms are sparkling clean, and be sure the floors are swept and shiny. We understand you LIVE in your home and these suggestions are a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold.

Selling Secret #1: You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs, fresh mulch, and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But, when you’re selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.

Download your free checklist on Preparing Your Home For Sale by clicking here.

Need help? Call The Trembley Group at 843.945.1880 ext. 100 and we’ll help you look for the perfect listing or buyers agent!

At The Trembley Group, we pride ourselves on being the experts at more than just selling real estate. We are local residents, some of us have been here for a lifetime. The rest of us will be here until the end of time. We love living, working, and playing in the diverse backyard of Coastal Carolina, and look forward to helping you live and love your dreams soon too. Please reach out to us by phone or email for personalized service and one-on-one advice. 

About our blog

Our agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home or property in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.