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Charleston Real Estate

Byrd Property Group    843-790-7000

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How To Sell Your Home Faster For More Money

09/07/2020 by billbyrd

Wanting to Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money should be everyone’s goal! In this article we’ll cover 16 great tips, that will help you accomplish this! The key, improve how your home looks when it’s shown to potential buyers. You will improve the quality of your showing appointments, shorten your market time and reach your ultimate goal. Selling your home faster for more money!

Sell Your Home Faster For More Money

Good Curb Appeal will help you sell your home faster for more money

First impressions are lasting: The front door greets the prospective buyer. Make sure it is fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking. Repaint if necessary and replace the door hardware if it’s old and worn looking. Replace door mats if needed. Keep lawn trimmed, edged, and remove debris from the yard each day. Make sure that the first impression from the exterior of your home is a great one. It will set the tone for the entire showing.

Decorate for a quick sale: When you want to sell your home faster for more money, a worn home will reduce appeal. Even though many people redecorate homes they buy, show them what it can look like by redecorating? You’ll certainly get a quicker sale at a higher price. You simply, can’t find a better investment than a few cans of paint to brighten up the interior.

Open It Up

Let the sun, shine in: Open draperies and blinds, and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. Dark rooms do not appeal.

Fix that faucet: Dripping water may discolor sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.

Repairs can make a difference: Make sure appliances are in good working order. Loose knobs, sticking and squeaking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, holes in window screens, and other minor flaws, detract from a homes value. To sell your home faster for more money you’re going to have to have them all fixed. Don’t let minor repairs be a buyer’s objection. Many buyers believe there will be ten problems they haven’t noticed for every, one they do see.



Clean It Up

From top to bottom: Display the full value of your home from your attic to basement. From your utility space and garage, remove all unnecessary items. Make sure storage areas are as neat and clean as they should be. Organize items in cabinets and remove items to enhance spaciousness.

Safety first: Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible hazards.

Make closets look bigger: Neat, well-ordered closets show that space is ample. Remove unnecessary clothes and other items to maximize space.

Sell your home faster for more money with a sparkling master bath

Bathrooms help sell homes: Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Store as many items as possible to keep counters clutter-free. Make this room sparkle!

Arrange bedrooms neatly: Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bed coverings. Minimize personal items, including photographs.

Harmonize the elements: You’ll need to turn the music on, when you want to sell your home faster for more money. The FM radio or a CD playing softly with the TV off, and all lights on, day or night. Drapes and blinds open in the daytime, closed at night as appropriate. If it’s hot, cool it; if it’s cold light a crackling fire.

You can sell pride of ownership faster and for more money: It’s called cleanliness. Cleanliness has more buyers than used dirt. Put a sparkle in your bathrooms and kitchen and you’ll take lots more silver out.

You’ve Got To Leave:

Agent Showing a House to a couple

The most important thing when you want to sell your home faster for more money is to leave. Never stay in your house when it’s being shown to house hunters. Avoid being present in your home when it is shown. The potential buyers will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.

When your selling your home, let the agent handle it. Remember that agent has worked many hours with these people. The agent knows what they’re looking for, and how to work with them. Let him or her do their job without interference. You may feel that the agent won’t show the important features of your home. Remember, the agent knows people aren’t sold by details until they’ve become emotionally involved with the big picture of your home. The presence of any member of the seller’s will only distract the buyers attention, it actually unnerves many buyers, and often prevents a sale. Don’t put this obstacle in your path. Leave your home when buyers are coming.

Sell Your Home Faster For More Money With Music

Music is mellow: Turn off the blaring radio or television. Soft-playing background music is okay but never load enough to interfere with the agent and buyer being able to freely converse.

Pets underfoot: Keep pets out of the way, preferably out of the house. Many people are acutely uncomfortable around some animals. And never let your pets jump up on visitors. Many pet owners are surprised when they learn that there is a significantly large part of the population that is not pet friendly. Don’t let your pet’s turn your buyers away.

Why put the cart before the horse? If you have items that you want to get rid of, do it before your home goes on the market. Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to a potential buyer before he or she has purchased the home is another distraction that will take the buyers focus off of buying your home. When you want to sell your home faster for more money focus on selling your home not your stuff. Remove unwanted items before your home goes on the market and it will probably help your home show better at the same time!

You may also want to check out Selling A Home In Charleston or Staging Your Home For Success and How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill


How Can We Help You?

Contact us at 843-972-7670

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Seller Information Tagged With: more money, sell fast, sell your home

Charleston Mid-Year Market Report!

07/05/2020 by billbyrd

July 15, 2020

You can't always get your way when buying a short sale

Here in the Charleston Mid-Year Market Report, Charleston Real Estate Sales continue to be strong. Typically, every spring and summer is a time when we expect sales to be at their highest. However, in light of all of the distractions in the world, the fact that Charleston Real Estate Sales are setting records just about every week, is nothing short of amazing to me!

Charleston Mid-Year Market Report

Having a front row seat to the bursting of the housing bubble back in 2005-2009, I for one, did not expect sales to be at this pace. After the crash of the housing bubble, real estate sales virtually stopped for a few months. Then gradually began to come back but in a much different fashion. Now, during the current pandemic things are very different here in Charleston!

SEARCH ALL HOMES FOR SALE
Charleston Mid Year Market Report

Fortunately…having realized a long time ago that “flexibility is one’s greatest asset” in real estate, I’ve learned, “don’t question, adapt”! So now we are looking back at a couple of months worth of market data wondering, “where do we go next”! So let’s take a look at the Charleston Mid-Year Market Report for July 2020.

Hindsight Is 2020

Frankly, I have to admit, I’m baffled by this extreme activity and just simply rolling with it! Funny how the experts always come out and sound so smart when they tell you about what’s happened. And, have you ever wondered why so few make predictions, and even fewer will remind you when they were wrong!

Today’s New Challenges

For the Byrd Property Group we’ve simply been working hard everyday, selling our listings and helping our buyer clients find great homes. But, along the way, it hasn’t been without some new challenges.

Couple crunching numbers after looking at the Charleston Mid Year Market Report
  • Lending rules for self employee people have gotten tougher and more stringent.
  • Fewer listings have come on the market and buyers have fewer choices.
  • In some situations buyers have to compete for homes in multiple offer situations.
  • On the bright side! Interest Rates are at or near all time lows.
  • Banks have actually been tightening lending restrictions instead of loosening them.
  • Banks are in a much better shape than as they were before the housing crisis.

The good news in all of this is that the market didn’t just stop and fall off the cliff like it did after the housing collapse. And, I can honestly tell you I was prepared for the worst when Covid-19 first came on the scene. With that in mind, realistically we have to understand that we are a long way from out of the woods! So depending on all of the volatile elements effecting our planet right now, just know that anything can happen from here!

Charleston Mid-Year Market Report – The Numbers

So to begin with, June 2020 sales just eclipsed June 2017 sales by 11 sales. Not a large beat, but a beat none the less. Previously June 2017 were the best June sales numbers on record. Here is a chart showing the number of sales each year for ten years.


Charleston Mid-Year Market Report – Home Buying On A Tear!


Buying activity in the Charleston area has been impressive!  Before May 2020, the highest weekly number of sales was 458 in 2018.  And in the previous 3-4 years, 400 to 425 sales per week being relatively normal. So, what’s really impressive is that we have exceeded the old high of 458 sales in 2018 in each of the last 10 weeks.  Additionally, we’ve surpassed 500 sales per week in the last 5 out of 6 weeks. In the last week of June we had 539 homes go under contract!

Unique to The Pandemic

Being a sign of the times in the Charleston Metro Area, many homes are going under contract site unseen. And due to the low inventory of homes on the market, some home sellers are experiencing multiple offers on their homes.

Foreclosures

As of this writing foreclosures and short sale have surprisingly been also non-existent. As we move forward this may not continue to be the case but we intend to keep and eye on this important market factor.

Low Inventory

In the Charleston Metro MLS since 2015, the inventory of homes on the market has ranged from around 5,500 to 7,000 homes on the market.  However, late in 2019, our homes for sale inventory dropped below 5,500 homes on the market. Now our inventory numbers are getting closer to 4,000. Due to the recent local anti-growth policies of some of our local municipalities, the development and construction of new communities and new home construction is not keeping up with the current demand. So if you ever had any inclination of putting your home on the market, now would be the time! Less competition and shorter market times!

The Luxury Market on Fire!

Charleston Mid Year Market Report

Yes, that’s right! The Luxury Market in Charleston has been on fire in recent weeks. In the Tri-County area each week we normally have about 12 to 15 sales of homes priced at over a million dollars. Over the past 6 weeks we have had 207 homes go under contract that were priced over 1 Million Dollars! That’s almost 35 sales per week! Many people are speculating that these buyers are coming from the Covid-19 hot spots, as more people leave the densely populated cities in the north. All speculation however, as of yet there is no concrete evidence that confirms this.

Click Here To See….Charleston Luxury Homes Currently On The Market!

Surprisingly, what I’ve discovered is that in May of 2019 the Charleston Real Estate Market had approximately 855 homes on the market at over 1 million dollars. And now, that inventory has shrunk to 623 homes on the market!

And what’s even more compelling is that the Months Supply of Homes number for Luxury Homes In Charleston over 1 million dollars has come down to an 8.5 months supply on inventory! That’s the lowest it’s been in 15 years! So if there was ever a time to sell a Luxury Home in Charleston…the time is now! Less competition and shorter market times!

Charleston Mid-Year Market Report – Summary

These are simply unprecedented times. With so much volatility in the world and influences outside of real estate, the only advice I have is to pay attention! Having lived and worked through several different real estate market cycles and events from Desert Storm, 9-11-2001, the Housing Bubble and now the Covid-19 Pandemic we survived and thrived! And we came out on the other side much stronger and wiser. This time will be no different.

So keep your head on a swivel, your mind sharpe, stay safe and smart during these crazy times! And as always, if you or anyone you know needs expert real estate advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to call us! We are here for all our friends, relatives, present clients and new clients. Byrd Property Group



Search By Area

Click your area of choice below and see every home for sale on the MLS!

Northern Charleston Areas

  • South Mount Pleasant
  • North Mount Pleasant
  • Awendaw
  • Daniel Island
  • Wando/Cainhoy
  • Hanahan
  • Goose Creek
  • Moncks Corner

Peninsula, Neck and Western Areas

  • Historic Charleston
  • Historic Upper Peninsula
  • North Charleston
  • Ladson
  • Summerville
  • Ridgeville
  • Walterboro

Southern Charleston Areas

  • James Island
  • Johns Island
  • Wadmalaw Island
  • Hollywood
  • Edisto Island
  • West Ashley

Oceanfront Beach Island Areas

  • Sullivans Island
  • Isle Of Palms
  • Folly Beach
  • Edisto Beach
  • Seabrook Island
  • Kiawah Island



Contact us at 843-972-7670

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Area Information, Home Buying Information, Home Seller Information Tagged With: Market Report

Byrd Property Group’s Virtual Options

04/27/2020 by billbyrd

Virtual Options Made Easy!

Virtual Options requires teamwork and planning.

Discover your virtual options with us today! Whether you’re buying of selling a home in today’s challenging market we can help. Our experience in handling long distance transactions over the years, makes todays virtual world an easy fit for us! So take a look below at the useful resources we have available to assist both buyers and sellers.

Our Virtual Options

The first step would be a Virtual Consultation. Basically, this is the same consultation we have performed in person, now it’s just done online of over the phone. First we will educate you on the steps and process of either buying or selling a home. For homebuyers we will discuss your needs, wants and desires. And for home sellers, the marketing price and objectives. After that, if you are comfortable to move forward we will design a plan together and start the process!

Second is our teamwork approach to your virtual options! We will provide you with both our mobile/ipad app and web site link so you can look at homes online. Whether you’re searching for a new home or want to see your seller competition, our tools are the most updated you’ll find.

We also show homes via Virtual Tours. We will be more than happy to provide virtual tours of any listing that any buyer would like to see. And we show our listings to prospects virtually too! We can do this live or we’ll record it for future viewing.

SEARCH ALL HOMES FOR SALE

Paperwork to Close

When it comes time to make offers and sign contracts we will do that virtually too! After we do a full review of the paperwork with you online, we help you Digitally Sign the paperwork.

Earnest Money Deposits are not a problem either. Your Earnest Money Deposit can be wired directly from your bank to the closing attorney or we can have it picked up and delivered to the attorney if need be.

You don't have to attend a home inspection with our virtual options

Additionally, you don’t have to be present for the Home Inspection either. Our inspectors produce fully detailed reports with high definition photos and will be more than happy to answer all of your questions over the phone or online.

When everything is all said and done, Closing can be done virtually as well. We can arrange for you to sign the documents however you would feel more comfortable. And…you won’t even have to go to the attorneys office!

And then, after closing…we will Deliver Your Keys to you! Virtual Options made easy!

We'll even have your keys delivered

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill


Contact Us To Discover More About Our Virtual Options!

Contact Us at 843-972-7670

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Buying Information, Home Seller Information

What Is A Short Sale? – Discover The Process

04/18/2020 by billbyrd

Short Sale Under Water

Recently I’ve had more people ask me the question, what is a short sale, than I have in a long time. What a change from the last few years of a strong market. However I shouldn’t be surprised because every experienced agent knows that the market cycles changes every 10-12 years. So if you look at the last turn of the market, we peaked between 2005-2008, bottomed in 2010-2012 and now it’s 2020. Maybe it’s time to go back down!

So What is a Short Sale?

A short sale takes place when a home seller sells their home, when they owe more than it’s worth. To happen, you first have to have a sales contract and the lender has to agree to allow a shortfall. The obvious first question is always, why would the lender agree to that? And the answer is simply. Lenders are not in the business of owning real estate and don’t want to take back properties. Plus, the foreclosure process depending on what state it’s in can be an expensive and take a long time. So for a successful short sale to take place, several things have to happen.

You Pay No Commission on a Short Sale!

Since you owe more than your home is worth, the bank pays the realtor fees!

Prep-Work

Having handled lots of short sales after the financial crisis, we’ve discover the key steps for short sale success. We handle the process of getting a short sale approved the same way an attorney preps for a case. In a short sale we consider the bank is the judge, and our client is the defendant. Our job is to prove to the bank two things. First, our client truly has a hardship and second, we have sold the home for the highest price possible. If we can accomplish these two things we are on our way to a successful closing.

Short Sale Homework

Don't get caught in a financial mouse trap. A Short Sale may be your solution.

In the beginning, consider the process of getting your short sale approved is like applying for a mortgage in reverse! Basically there is a lot of paperwork to be filled out and plenty of financial documents to submit. Very similar to getting a mortgage. But the difference here is that you’ll want to show the bank that you can no longer afford the mortgage. So what is important to the bank is that you have a legitimate hardship. And you income is now less than what is needed to cover your bills. Typically approved hardships that we’ve seen approved have been: job relocation, loss of job, military transfer, death of a spouse. This doesn’t mean that these are the only types of hardships that can be approved. These are simply the ones that we’ve seen the most.

Getting It Done

So hopefully this post has given you you a basic idea of what’s needed to approach selling a home as a short sale. As always professional guidance is critically important. Since we’ve been handling of short sales for many years, this process is not new to us! Getting our feet wet with short sales after the financial crisis in 2008 we’ve learned a lot along the way. This experience is a benefit to anyone in Charleston considering a short sale.

Obviously there is much more to a short sale. To get started we would meet with you for a brief consultation to discuss your unique situation. Then if we both feel like we are compatible and want to move forward working together, we can start the process.


So if you or anyone you know is considering selling a home as a short sale or buying a short sale, give us a call 843-972-7670 we will be happy to help. Or you can fill out the form below and we will reach back out to you. We are your Charleston Short Sale Experts!


Search By Area

Click your area of choice below and see every home for sale on the MLS!

Northern Charleston Areas

  • South Mount Pleasant
  • North Mount Pleasant
  • Awendaw
  • Daniel Island
  • Wando/Cainhoy
  • Hanahan
  • Goose Creek
  • Moncks Corner

Peninsula, Neck and Western Areas

  • Historic Charleston
  • Historic Upper Peninsula
  • North Charleston
  • Ladson
  • Summerville
  • Ridgeville
  • Walterboro

Southern Charleston Areas

  • James Island
  • Johns Island
  • Wadmalaw Island
  • Hollywood
  • Edisto Island
  • West Ashley

Oceanfront Beach Island Areas

  • Sullivans Island
  • Isle Of Palms
  • Folly Beach
  • Edisto Beach
  • Seabrook Island
  • Kiawah Island



The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped numerous families and individuals during the previous housing crisis you can feel comfortable that Bill’s experience and expertise is unparalleled in our market. More About Bill


Contact Us at 843-972-7670

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Seller Information, Short Sales

How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot

04/12/2020 by billbyrd

Photo Shoot Checklist

Preparation

This post, How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot will help you prepare for your photo shoot! In my opinion, the most important part of marketing real estate today is the photos. This is simply because your homes first impression is how it looks online. And you know the saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

Less is More

How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot

What we look for in our photos is a clean, neat and clutter free home. It’s not always about “what’s in” the photos as much as it is “what’s not” in the photos. This is clearly a situation of where “less is more”. As you’ll see in the checklist that follows we will be asking you to “remove”or “hide” lots of items.

Tip: Go into each room in your house. Ask yourself the following question: If this room were photographed in a Better Homes and Garden magazine, what would not be in the picture? In most cases the answer is: the item that wouldn’t be in that magazine, is what needs to be removed! It’s really that simple.

Smaller is Bigger

Another important aspect of your home’s online impression is the concept of “smaller is bigger”. One of our biggest goals and challenges is to stage a home so it feels bigger than it is!

Read: Staging Your Home For Success

Obviously if the home is 2,500 square feet we can’t physically make it bigger. But we can make it look bigger! Furniture stores today sell big comfortable furniture. That’s great when your watching a movie in your den, but not great when you home is for sale. So to make a home show bigger both during showings and online, we remove furniture. The idea is to create open floor space. The more open a room feels the bigger it seems. An easy example would be why people today think open floor plans are better! Homes with open plan are not always bigger, they just feel less cluttered and tight.

So what’s the solution for too much furniture? Well, it isn’t always remove it or replace it with something smaller. Often what we do is come in and help folks re-purpose what they already have. Simply, it may be as easy as moving one chair from a crowded den into another room. Or, moving the couch to another wall to open the room up. Other common ideas would be to remove the center leaf from a table, or removing extra dining chairs. We’ve helped clients with this hundreds of times and it always produces great results.

Line of Sight

The eye of the camera needs to have a clear line of sight. What may look like beautiful decorating in person may not photograph well. Tall chairs or couches, big tables, room dividers, all block the line of sight for the camera. Most people never see this until they take some photos of their home. So what items in your home could potentially break up a good shot? Just get out the phone and take a few pictures.

Tip: Go online and look at the Homes For Sale In Your Area and critic their photo’s. Notice what looks good and what doesn’t and then apply those ideas to your preparation.


How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot – Mindset

So what is the biggest hurdle when you want to Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot? It’s mindset. You have to understand a couple things:

Working Together Achieves More!
  • Your agent is on your side; we want to help you sell your home. We are not just creating work for you; we are on your team. If your home doesn’t show it’s best, in person and online, it will take longer to sell. And…often for less money than it would if the home was prepared the right way.
  • When your home is on the market, it’s no longer the home you live in. It’s now the home you are selling! If in the end, getting top dollar is the goal, it will be worth your effort.

Below are our best ideas and tips for How to Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot. We’ve complied this list based on years of experience in real life situations. When done right, with our guidance, our clients have had great results and you will too!


How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot –The Checklist

Exterior

  • You’ll want to move cars and trucks from the front and rear of the house and close garage doors. This would include any cars or trucks on the street in front of the home if possible.
  • You’ll also want to move trashcans and recycling bins out of sight or inside the garage or shed.
  • Hide all garden hoses.
  • Remove any newspapers or other items from driveway and sweep clean the driveway and all walkways.
  • Wash off any chalk drawings the day before the shoot.
  • On the deck or patio, open umbrellas, remove grill covers and put the cushions on furniture. Make the deck or patio look like it is being used everyday.
  • Clean patio furniture but don’t wash to prevent any stains or puddles.
  • Hide all toys and sporting equipment in the garage or storage shed.
  • Hide any and all outside pet dishes or pet toys.
  • Remove and dispose any pet waste in the yard.
  • Remove any security or real estate signs from the yard and the windows.
  • Open the swimming pool if needed. Clean the pool, remove covers and hide pool equipment and supplies.
  • If needed mow rake and water the yard 24 hours before the shoot. Not the day of the shoot. DO NOT WATER THE DAY OF THE SHOOT
  • Turn off all outdoor ceiling fans.
  • Cut on all exterior lights and make sure to replace any burned out bulbs.

Interior

  • Turn on all interior lights and open all curtains and blinds.
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs.
  • Clean mirrors, refrigerators, windows, television screens, etc. Anything that will show hand or finger prints that reflect light.
  • Hide all pet beds, toys, bowls, etc. in a closet or storage container.
  • Remove excessive items of art or decor hanging from walls.
  • Remove family photos or anything you wouldn’t want shown on the Internet.
  • Hide any items that you don’t want photographed in closets or storage areas.
  • Clean all ceiling fans and HVAC supply and return registers.
  • Turn off all ceiling fans and fireplaces.

Kitchen

Kitchen after decluttering
  • Clear items from your countertops. You want it to seem like there is endless counter space.
  • Remove dishtowels, soup dishes, sanitizer, sponges etc. and remove any small area rugs.
  • Remove the garbage can from view along any pet food bowls, mats and other items.
  • Take all items off of the refrigerator.

Bedroom

  • Make all beds and be sure the mattress and box springs are not showing.
  • Make sure you remove any objects under the bed so they don’t show in the pictures.
  • Hide all of your personal items.
  • In the children’s rooms, remove any personal items or items with their names on them.

Dining Areas

  • To make the dining area film bigger, remove any extra leaves in the table.
  • Remove any table clothes or pads to show off the beauty of the table.
  • Relocate extra dining room chairs. Less is more!

Living Areas

  • Remove any throw rugs. They make the rooms feel smaller.
  • Turn off all television sets.
  • Remove portable electronics from view
  • Empty tabletops.
  • Remove clutter from end tables and coffee table. No Magazines, pictures remotes, phone chargers etc.

Bathrooms

How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot
After
  • Clean thoroughly, and clean again. Make is sparkle.
  • Clean mirror.
  • Remove all toiletries, mats and cleaning tools.
  • Store daily use bath and hand towels.
  • Add fresh clean, colorful, neatly hung towels.
  • Remove all toiletries from the tub and the shower. No toothpaste, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes, etc.
  • Add a fresh roll of toilet paper.
  • All toilet seats down!

Front Door

  • Make sure the front door is clean and crisp. The front door sets the tone for the first impression.
  • Replace worn hardware, doorknobs, hinges, door knocker, etc.
  • Paint with a fresh coat of paint if needed. No chipping, peeling or cracking paint.

Foyer

  • The first room of the home entered by a buyer is the most important.
  • Remove anything that crowds this area. Benches, coats racks, throw rugs. This area has to feel as big as possible.

Curb Appeal

  • Trim all shrubs as far in advance of the photo session as possible Bushes in from of the home should not block the view of the home from the street.
  • Trim shrubs down to below the windows.
  • Remove over grown shrubs that crowd each other and the walkways.
  • Place fresh mulch or pine straw in the beds.
  • Edge the yard the at the curb, walkways and driveways.

How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot – Conclusion

It may seem like a daunting task To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot. However the reward will be more money in your pocket and a shorter time on the market. Basically the time and effort put in to preparing your home will pay big dividends in the end.


If you’d like a printed version of this checklist please feel free to fill out the form below and request one. We’ll be happy to email it out to you!
And as always, if you are buying or selling in Charleston we’d like to help! Bill Byrd 843-972-7670

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill


Contact Us at 843-972-7670


  • Can You Do a 1031 Exchange on a Second Home?
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    Is a 1031 Exchange Worth It?
  • Are 1031 exchanges still allowed? Yes to the ladies excitement.
    Are 1031 Exchanges Still Allowed in 2025?
  • Picture of our cap rate calculator. Understanding Cap Rates is the key to successful real estate investing.
    Understanding Cap Rates: Your Investment Decision Tool

Search By Area

Click your area of choice below and see every home for sale on the MLS!

Northern Charleston Areas

  • South Mount Pleasant
  • North Mount Pleasant
  • Awendaw
  • Daniel Island
  • Wando/Cainhoy
  • Hanahan
  • Goose Creek
  • Moncks Corner

Peninsula, Neck and Western Areas

  • Historic Charleston
  • Historic Upper Peninsula
  • North Charleston
  • Ladson
  • Summerville
  • Ridgeville
  • Walterboro

Southern Charleston Areas

  • James Island
  • Johns Island
  • Wadmalaw Island
  • Hollywood
  • Edisto Island
  • West Ashley

Oceanfront Beach Island Areas

  • Sullivans Island
  • Isle Of Palms
  • Folly Beach
  • Edisto Beach
  • Seabrook Island
  • Kiawah Island


Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Seller Information

Staging Your Home For Success!

03/31/2020 by billbyrd

When Staging Your Home For Success keep in mind your home has just one chance to make a great impression. And it can! The following “tricks of the trade” will help you keep track of what needs to be done.

Kitchen after decluttering and staging
After Decluttering Counters

The whole idea of Staging is to present a clean, spacious, clutter-free home. You’ll want to make the kind of place you’d like to buy again. Accomplish a little everyday, and before long your home will be ready to make that great first impression.

Want to check out what your neighbors home for sale looks like? Either go to viewcharlestonrealestate.com and key in your neighborhood or by clicking the button below.

SEARCH ALL HOMES FOR SALE

Most home sellers are not in the position to do major or minor renovations to their home. This makes Staging Your Home For Success even more important! The check-list below will give you lots of cost efficient ideas and tips. All of which are designed to help you improve how your home shows while on the market. Staging Your Home For Success can be easy and fun but you have to be willing to put a little time and effort in!


Staging Your Home For Success will pay off in 2 ways!

Your home will sell for more money!

And…your home will sell in less time…and who doesn’t want that!


Exterior Staging Tips

Good Curb Appeal
  • Mow lawn
  • Trim shrubs
  • Edge gardens and walkways
  • Weed and mulch
  • Sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter or toys
  • Add color and fill in bare spots with plantings
  • Remove mildew or moss from walls or walks with bleach and water or other cleaner
  • Take stains off your driveway with cleanser or kitty litter
  • Stack woodpile neatly
  • Clean and repair patio and deck area
  • Remove any outdoor furniture which is not in good repair
  • Make sure pool or spa sparkles
  • Replace old storm doors
  • Check for flat-fitting roof shingles
  • Repair broken windows and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking
  • Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood Touch up exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves
  • Clean and remove rust from any window air conditioning units
  • Paint the front door and mailbox
  • Add a new front door mat and consider a seasonal door decoration
  • Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc.
  • Make sure doorbell is in good working order

Interior Staging Tips

  • Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors
  • Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary
  • Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary
  • Clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors
  • Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills
  • Clean the fireplace
  • Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and items you won’t need again until after you’ve moved
  • Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you don’t use; keep papers, toys, etc. picked up–especially on stairways
  • Repair problems such as loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaking taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closets or screen doors which are off their tracks
  • Add dishes of potpourri, or drop of vanilla or bath oil on light bulbs for scent
  • Secure jewelry, cash and other valuables
Before Staging
Before Staging

The Living Room

  • Make it cozy and inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
Den After Staging
Den After Staging

The Dining Room

  • Polish any visible silver and crystal
  • Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here

The Kitchen

  • Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try baking soda for cleaning Formica stains)
  • Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order
  • Clean often forgotten spots on top of refrigerator and under sink
  • Wax or sponge floor to brilliant shine, clean baseboards
  • Unclutter all counter space, remove countertop appliances
  • Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using before you move
Before
Kitchen Before and After Painting
After

The Bathrooms

  • Remove all rust and mildew Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, etc. are immaculate and shining
  • Make sure all fixtures are in good repair
  • Replace loose caulking or grout
  • Make sure lighting is bright, but soft
Before
Staging a Remodeled Bathroom
After
Before
After

The Master Bedroom

Organize furnishings to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas

The Garage

  • Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items
  • Clean oily cement floor
  • Provide strong overhead light
  • Tidy storage or work areas
  • Organize and create more floor space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves
  • Clean water heater and drain sediment
  • Change furnace filter
  • Make inspection access easy
  • Clean and paint concrete floor and walls
  • Provide strong overhead light

The Attic

  • Tidy up by discarding or pre-packing
  • Make sure energy-saving insulation is apparent
  • Make sure air vent is in working order
  • Provide strong overhead lighting

Staging Your Home For Success…When It’s Time To Show

  • Make sure your property profile folder, utility bills, MLS profile, house location survey, etc. are available
  • Open all draperies and shades, turn on all lights
  • Pick up toys and other clutter, check to make sure beds are made and clothes are put away
  • Give the carpets a quick vacuuming
  • Add some strategically placed fresh flowers
  • Open bathroom windows for fresh air
  • Pop a spicy dessert or just a pan of cinnamon in the oven for aroma
  • Turn off the television and turn on the radio music at a low volume
  • Make a fire in the fireplace if appropriate
  • Put pets in the backyard or arrange for a friend to keep them
  • Make sure pet areas are clean and odor-free
  • Make sure all trash is disposed of in neatly covered bins

For More Tips Read: How To Prepare Your Home For A Photo Shoot and How To Sell Your Home Faster For More Money

If you have additional questions staging your home or selling your home, feel free to reach out to us by filling out the form below. Thanks for reading our post on Staging Your Home For Success!

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill


  • Can You Do a 1031 Exchange on a Second Home?
  • Is a 1031 exchange worth it
    Is a 1031 Exchange Worth It?
  • Are 1031 exchanges still allowed? Yes to the ladies excitement.
    Are 1031 Exchanges Still Allowed in 2025?
  • Picture of our cap rate calculator. Understanding Cap Rates is the key to successful real estate investing.
    Understanding Cap Rates: Your Investment Decision Tool

Let us know how we can help you? Contact Us at 843-972-7670

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Seller Information

Choosing A Home Warranty

03/31/2020 by billbyrd

When choosing a home warranty there are many options. Several companies in the market today offer competitive plans with different coverage’s and additional up-grade options. 

Home Warranty Protections

When you look at the different plans available, you’ll quickly discover the basic plan’s are very similar. Most typically cover a homeowner’s residence for a one-year period from the date of settlement. For home sellers, most companies offer sellers coverage too. Sellers coverage will cover a home for the duration of the listing period. Then usually for one year of coverage for the home buyer from the settlement date!

Everyone selling a home should consider purchasing a Home Warranty. It can be a great sales tool, as well as a hedge against any unforeseen problems. However, keep in mind “All Warranties Are Not The Same”! You need to read the fine print.

Tips to consider when Choosing A Warranty

  1. Consider your budget first! Choose a plan that fits your budget and the home you are insuring with the warranty. Consider the mechanicals, systems, types of appliances, fixtures and the structure. Consider what has recently been repaired or replaced. For example…you may not want to choose upgraded coverage for your heating system if it was recently replaced. It may be still under warranty and you might end up paying for double coverage. If that’s the case, you might consider other options, like covering an aging Hot Tub or an older roof.
  2. Fine print, read it! Consider all contract language important, they would not be wasting the ink! Look for things like caps in coverage and items excluded from the warranty.
  3. Also…when choosing a plan, make sure the Warranty Company is a legitimate company. One that has been around a while with good reviews. You can also check with the state licensing board to make sure it is in good standing with them.
  4. Service call charges and pre-existing defects. Compare the service call charges and option prices of competitive plans. Options that can vary widely in price.
  5. Call the local sales representative and ask if they are running any special promotions. Sometimes discounts or upgrades options may be included in a basic plan.  
Look Closely

So when Choosing A Home Warranty Plan you do have a lot to think about. A Home Warranty can give you plenty of peace of mind and allow you to sleep well a night! Easily, take the time, do your side by side comparisons and study the plans. Keep in mind that Home Warranties are insurance policies not maintenance contracts or guarantees! Also, don’t rely on another’s opinion because long after the sale closes it’s all on you for the service calls and repairs.

Home Warranty Web Sites Links

America’s Preferred Home Warranty, Inc.
American Home Shield
First American Home Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Cinch Home Services

The Author…

Bill Byrd is a Husband, Father, Realtor, Educator, Musician and Athlete. A licensed Realtor since 1986 who loves helping his clients grow their personal wealth through real estate! Having helped hundred’s of families and individuals during his career you can feel comfortable that Bill’s and his Team’s experience and expertise are unparalleled in our market. Plus, Bill’s a great guy and one heck of a guitar player! More About Bill


Search By Area

Click your area of choice below and see every home for sale on the MLS!

Northern Charleston Areas

  • South Mount Pleasant
  • North Mount Pleasant
  • Awendaw
  • Daniel Island
  • Wando/Cainhoy
  • Hanahan
  • Goose Creek
  • Moncks Corner

Peninsula, Neck and Western Areas

  • Historic Charleston
  • Historic Upper Peninsula
  • North Charleston
  • Ladson
  • Summerville
  • Ridgeville
  • Walterboro

Southern Charleston Areas

  • James Island
  • Johns Island
  • Wadmalaw Island
  • Hollywood
  • Edisto Island
  • West Ashley

Oceanfront Beach Island Areas

  • Sullivans Island
  • Isle Of Palms
  • Folly Beach
  • Edisto Beach
  • Seabrook Island
  • Kiawah Island



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Let us know how we can help you? Contact Us at 843-972-7670

Filed Under: All About Real Estate, Home Buying Information, Home Seller Information

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