Seller's Guide

A well-priced home will generate competing offers and drive up the final sale value. Our free market analysis takes into account the most actively searched prices and home values in the area and provides you with a detailed evaluation that puts it all in perspective.

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Considering updating your home before selling?  Check out some of the items we have found that make your home more valuable and will possibly help sell your home quicker when you list your home.

Exterior

Outdoor Lighting
Change out all brass, deteriorated, or rusty light fixtures. Larger scale fixtures are "in" and considered expected to compete with other properties of like value.

Landscapping
Matured landscaping needs to be cut back and trimmed. Gardening/flowers are expected to be maintained.

Front Doors
Iron or heavy wood entry doors make strong statement. Upscale homes now use leaded glass and iron inserts in their style.

Living Spaces
Screened porches are back. They create multi-purpose space that is both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor fireplaces.

INTERIOR

Kitchens/Bath
Appliances
- Stainless appliances are going strong. - High-end homes conceal some appliances as cabinetry.
- Gas appliances preferred.

Hardware
- No polished brass knobs.
- Oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel are still "in".

Countertops
- Granite is a must over $300,000 to $350,000.
- Marble or stone coutner are popular as well.
- Granite tops added to 1980's-90's cabinets don't go well.
- Solid surface tops are not really acceptable anymore.
- Subway tile (3x6) is popular in bathrooms and on kitchen backsplashes.
- Lots of counter space is desired, with deep drawers, two sink, and an extra nearby refrigerator.
- Butler's pantry are all desirable features.

Fixtures
- Bath fixtures finished in rustic bronze, nickel or chrome.
- Old-style two-handled faucets and farmhouse sinks are in.
- Bath sins may be glass bowls, granite, stone, stainless or traditional china. Cultured marble is out.
- Free standing tubs, pedestals, and wall-hung lavatories are in. Framed or hung mirrors are preferred.
- Frameless glass in showers is the new way to go.

Cabinetry
- White cabinets should go, unless they are of the furniture style or "French Country" style.

Paint
- Freshly painted interior and exterior strongly recommended.
- Historic paint colors such as sage greens, beiges, and muted yellows work well on the exterior.
- Bold or harsh colors are a turn-off to most buyers.
- Faux finishes are out.
- Wallpaper is problematic and harder to change than paint. Very often it does not the buyer's taste.
- Heavily textured walls and popcorn ceilings are out.

Flooring
- Wood floors in the main living area are preferred.
- Large rustic tiles, stone, and decorative concrete are also today's preference for both inside and out.
- Date/old carpet can be a deal-breaker.
- Buyers are looking at new construction as your competition.
- When using ceramic tile, the tiles should be a minimum of 18" squares.

Utilities
- With fuel costs going up, energy efficiency is definitely in.
- Buyers want high efficiency HVAC's, water heaters, good insulation, Low-E glass, programmable thermostats, dual-pane windows, and upgraded ceiling fans.
- Instant hot water is a perk that buyers like, as are drinking water filters.

Sellers Pre-Inspection Checklist

This pre-inspection information is intended as an informational tool only. It is commonly said you negotiate twice on your home. Once on price when the Offer to Purchase is presented, and secondly when the inspection is completed and the request for repairs is received. Many things can be done to prepare for an inspection or even more proactively prior to your home being listed. Obtaining a home inspection, yourself is the most proactive step you can take. In our experience, the home, which has few repairs, gets to the closing table much faster and with less stress. If you choose not to do a home inspection, please take a moment to look over the list of items below. In our experience, these are items commonly seen on inspection reports.

Interior:

• Make sure all windows are open and functioning properly. Look for broken thermal seals.
• Check all doors. Do they open easily? Do they stick or rub?
• Check all faucets for leaks and make sure the hot and cold are respectively correct. (Hot on the left and cold on the right.)
• Do you have active leaks or evidence of previous leaks on ceilings? If there is evidence of a previous leak, be prepared to explain the leak. (i.e. why the leak was there and when it was fixed.)
• Check all electrical outlets for operation. This includes outlets, which are outside as well.
• Check all lights for operation. Replace any light bulbs, which are burned out. Make sure all ceiling fans operate properly.
• Check toilets for leaks continued running after the toilet is flushed, and make sure the toilet is secured to the floor and not loose.
• If you have a gas fireplace, make sure the gas is on so the inspector can check the operation of the fireplace. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, any information pertaining to previous inspections or when the chimney was last cleaned is helpful.
•  Check appliances such as the dishwasher. Is it making any loud noises or grinding sounds when in operation? The inspector will run a cycle through the dishwasher. Also, check the garbage disposal and oven.
• If you have a washer-pan in your laundry room, look for any cracks.
• Test your interior banister and railings to be sure all are secure with nothing loose. This can be a safety issue, particularly for small children.

Garage:

• Does your garage door operate properly? If you have a garage door opener make sure it functions properly by using the garage door opener and the opener mechanism on the wall. Are the mounting brackets secure in the ceilings, which means, have you noticed any movement in the mounted unit when in operation? Also, does the reverse mechanism on the garage door work when challenged?
• Look for any leaks or dripping at the water heater.

Exterior:

• Have the gutters cleaned if full of debris?
• Do you notice any roof shingles, which are curling or missing? Any past evidence of a leak or patch? Be prepared to explain.
• Do the fascia boards or siding look to be in good shape? Are they in need of painting or repair?
• Do you notice any water pooling next to the house or around the HVAC unit? Have a professional review the source of water.
• Does the deck have any loose boards or railings?
• Review outside window trim for any wood rot.
• Is your dryer vent cleaned and secure?

Crawl Space:

• Does your crawl space look dry? If you see evidence of moisture, contact a professional to determine the source of the moisture.
• Do you have a vapor barrier on your crawl space floor? A vapor barrier is a plastic that lies on the bottom of the crawl space floor and covers usually about 70 to 80% of the dirt.
• Do you see any fungi or mold (dark spots or what looks like speckles) on the joist? Call a professional for advice or to determine the type of mold.
• Is the insulation in place in-between the floor joist and beams? Remove any wood debris in the crawl space. It can be conductive to termites.

Again, please note that the most proactive step is to obtain your own home inspection and repair any structural and mechanical issues prior to listing or receiving an offer to purchase. Please contact our office with any questions. Our goal is to sell your home for the highest dollar and bring you to the closing table as stress-free as possible.

Toss It. Remove all the junk from your garage, attic, and rooms that you are using for storage. Clean out your closets. This will make your home look bigger.

Bathrooms. Spruce up the bath by caulking where needed, then make the tub, sink, shower, stall, commode, and countertops sparkle. Clear the sink surfaces of clutter and get “showing only” matching towels.

Neatness Counts. Remove all excess furniture from bedrooms and use attractive bedspreads. Keep the surfaces cleared.

Illumination. The lighting is warm and welcoming.

Threes a Crowd. Set the stage. Turn off the TV and have only soft music playing from a stereo or radio. Good mood for the buyer.

Rollover Rover. Pets often are underfoot and “nudgie”. Put them outside if possible. If not, the smallest bedroom.

Silence is Golden. Be courteous, but do not force conversation with a potential buyer. They are in your home to view it, not to pay a social call.

Try To Be Invisible. If you are unavoidable “there” when your home is being shown, defer to the showing agent and try to stay in the background.

Cart Before The Horse? Don’t speak to a potential buyer regarding furnishings you will sell with your home before an offer is negotiated.

Be Cool. Do not oversell. Your home will go a long way towards “selling itself” if it is what the buyer wants.

Golden Rule. Treat prospective buyers like you would like to be treated.

Play It Safe and Secure. Do not show or open your home to anyone who shows up unannounced. Have them call their agent for a scheduled showing.

Marketing Plan

When you’re ready to take the next step toward selling your home, we’re here to help. Our comprehensive marketing plan will get your home seen by thousands of motivated buyers.

The Right Price
We’ll quickly put together a custom marketing plan with an effective price. A well priced home often generates competing offers and drives up the final sale value. Our market analysis takes into account the most actively searched prices and home values throughout your area, including expired listings and properties still on the market.

The Right Exposure
In marketing your home, we also develop a listing that emphasizes its unique and sellable aspects. We then put your home in front of buyers, establishing it on the local MLS® as well as broader ones, new listings sheets, and real estate publications. Our nation-wide network of professional real estate contacts and buyers will also have the opportunity to check out your listing.

Effective Internet Marketing
In addition, we’ll use the Internet and our innovative website to make your listing highly visible. With more than 80% of buyers checking the web first when looking for a home, this is a part of your marketing strategy that you can’t afford to miss.

The Best Deal
When we list your home, we do so at no additional cost. When you start to get offers, we can represent you during the emotionally charged negotiating process and ensure that you get the best price, and favorable closing terms that are clearly spelled out. As your professional aides, we also oversee all paperwork related to the sale.

Use the search tools on this site to get an idea of the competition.

Relocation to another state or even within the state is exciting, but can be very stressful.  Moving the family, getting the children in school, finding good doctors and a local gym are just a few of the time-consuming activities everyone has to deal with when relocating.

As residents and local REALTORS® of the Lake Norman area, we are very knowledgeable in the real estate opportunities provided to you here and can provide a variety of information on golf course communities, luxury home communities, established communities and more. We can also help you if you are a first time home buyer, a retiree, or looking for that special investment property.  Please fill out the form below and we will send you a customized Relocation Package devoted to the communities of your choice!

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See what our raving fans have to say about their experience with the Christy Walker Team.

Christy and her team are amazing! They have gone over and above to make this whole selling process seamless! Positive attitudes, delightful and consistent communication is one of the attributes that keeps me going back to Christy and her team for real estate needs. They have helped me on several occasions and I will continue to go back!! - Shelley H.

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Contact us anytime you need to know what’s really going on in this market. When you’re ready to take the next step toward selling your home, we’re here to help. We’ll make sure your listing gets the best exposure and reaches the right buyer—whether they’re out of state, in another country, or right around the corner.

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