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In a setting of tall pines, rustic oaks and tropical palms, lies an experience – Shipyard Plantation. Covering approximately 800 acres, Shipyard is conveniently located in the scenic heart of the south end of Hilton Head Island. ...
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Selling Your Home?
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Written by Kristy Gillinder
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Tuesday, 31 October 2006 |
 Making the decision to sell your home can be emotional. Once you have decided
you are ready to sell, the next big move is to make sure your home is ready for
the sale. There are some simple and fairly inexpensive things you can do to make
your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Because you’re likely to
have lots of emotions and memories tied to your home, it may be difficult to
look at your place objectively. For this reason, many people turn to someone
they trust to look at their home with a “fresh pair of eyes” to see if they can
detect anything that needs to be addressed before potential buyers come calling.
First, clean everything from top to bottom and get rid of the clutter. A
good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn or used it in a year, you probably
won’t need it. (Legal documents and the like are an exception to this
rule.)
Check your home or condo inside and out. On the outside, check the
walkway, patio, etc., for cracks and splits. Steps should be smooth and even. If
they are not, this could be a serious safety hazard that needs to be corrected
quickly. Also, look at your lawn, plants, trees, etc. Is everything fresh and
green? If not, replace anything that isn’t healthy. Keep the grass cut. Edging
is a great way to make your landscaping “pop.”
Another way to attract
buyers is to have an awesome entryway. If needed, put a fresh coat of paint on
the front door. If you don’t really have an entryway, do your best to make one.
Shift the furniture around to create the illusion of an entryway. This is an
important welcoming feature to potential buyers.
Pay attention to
flooring. Hardwood floors are always popular because they have longevity and
simply never go out of style. If you want to “spiff up” your place and can’t
afford to put in hardwood, take heart. Pergo, synthetic wood flooring, is a
budget-conscious alternative that still looks beautiful.
Fixtures are
often thought of, by many, as “a home’s crown jewels.” Door knobs, faucets,
cabinet knobs, etc., say a lot about a home. Coordinated fixtures show attention
to detail and impress potential homebuyers. Plus, this is a quick and
inexpensive way to update or enhance a room.
Baths are more commonly
being thought of as “at-home spas.” If your home’s bath features lots of “bells
and whistles,” such as an oversized Jacuzzi tub, dual oversized shower heads,
heated toilet seats, etc., you are on target. If you don’t have such features,
however, relax. There are other things you can do to make your bath more
appealing.
Mirrors, for example, are always essential. If you have a
plain, sheet mirror, replace it with a framed mirror. You can find framed
mirrors at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. This is a great way to make your
bathroom more inviting. Another quick fix is to replace that harsh globe
lighting with soft, elegant sconces. This softer lighting is much more
flattering, and potential homebuyers will notice this special
touch.
Countertops are critical. Granite countertops are beautiful and
are easy to maintain. Currently, Corian, Silestone (composite stone), concrete,
limestone, soapstone, and marble are popular choices, too, thanks to today’s
sophisticated sealants. Replacing countertops with one of today’s hot picks is a
great way to make your home more appealing.
Pre-organized closets are
high on potential buyers’ lists of must-haves. Melamine shelves in white or
bone, with some rods and drawers, make for great use of closet space. Don’t
forget to have adequate shelving in your pantry, too.
Built-ins are often
looked at as “free furniture.” If you don’t have any built-ins, many home
improvement stores have fairly inexpensive kits which will allow you to create
free-standing pieces that look like built-ins. Perhaps you can use these pieces
as negotiating points with potential homebuyers.
And, don’t forget about
the art of “staging.” Staging is adding the final, special touches to your home
to make it look and feel “just right.” For example, some excellent examples of
staging pieces are mirrors and plants.
By doing some simple things, you
can help your home have special appeal, and hopefully, sell quickly.
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