South Carolina Home Selling Strategies

Are you planning on selling your South Carolina real estate? Learn why the effective marketing and advertising of your home is so important.

Selling real estate is a complex blend of science and art. You need an understanding of what buyers are looking for and where the market is heading. Market fluctuations, seasonal surges, and cost analysis are all key factors in pricing a home to sell, and it takes an experienced realtor to formulate a successful pricing strategy that will maximize your sales price. Christina Ellis and Associates  has gained a reputation for being able to break down the complex real estate process to help you sell your house fast, and at top dollar! Let us show you how great service and follow-through create a system that leaves you feeling that you hired Simply the Best.
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Advertising

Exposing your property to the greatest number of potential buyers is a very important job of your listing agent.

Large-scale exposure of your property is the key to any successful advertising program. Christina Ellis and Associates  has been a leader in developing effective web-based, magazine, and newspaper advertising.We have mastered the art of marketing properties.

Marketing Program

Your property is not something you sell everyday. In fact, for many people it is their largest asset. A house is very complex to market and the process needs to be well organized. To do the job properly a plan is needed...

Lockbox
Placing your home keys inside a secure lockbox allows you the freedom from being tied to your home while the property is being shown to potential buyers.

Office Caravan
Each week, Ellis agents preview our newest property listings. This allows them to become familiar with what's available for buyers who are anxious to buy today, next week or next month.

Internet
Find area homes for sale, tips for buying and selling a home, plus info about the South Carolina community on my Web site,.
Search the MLS

Feature Sheets
Property highlights are conveniently listed on "feature sheets" making it easy for buyers and other Realtors® to zero-in quickly on the most important details of your home. Feature sheets also point out easily missed extras, upgrades and quality items.

Showcase Magazine
Each month readers pick up 30,000 copies of this listing tabloid. Coordinated by the Association of Realtors® and available free at over 350 locations throughout South Carolina.

Buyer Follow-up
We follow-up with the Realtors® who bring buyers to your home. Comments from buyers who have seen a home can prove invaluable in marketing a property. Their opinions can help determine if improvements or changes should be made to the property that would make it more attractive or salable.

Open House
Invite buyers to take a look inside your home. Once inside, they may discover just what they've been searching for. (Optional)

Home Warranty Seller's Coverage
A home warranty policy can provide a buyer with "peace of mind". And consider the benefits you may receive by purchasing "Seller's Coverage" prior to selling your home. Ask me to give you copies of Home Warranty policies.
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Before You List

Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications? This special report will educate you with valuable information that will help you make the best decision concerning: Which real estate agent should you list with?

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around... get to know who has the most signs, ads and marketing material in your neighborhood. Who´s the most active agent? Compile a list of agent names and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for you.

1. Could you send me some information about yourself? - You can often get a good idea of which agents are the most professional by looking at their promotional materials. If their own materials aren't professional, how well are they going to market your home? Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request and how quickly they follow up. If they don´t respond efficiently to your listing requests imagine how they´ll handle potential home buyers.
2. How many homes have you listed and how many homes have you sold in the last six months? - Look for an agent who has experience with homes similar to yours and is active in your area. If your home has special features look for an agent with experience in those areas. Your agent should have a good record of selling homes, not just listing them. After all, this is your ultimate goal.
3. What is your average length of time from listed to sold? - Don´t automatically assume the shorter time on the market the better. That could reflect selling homes quickly at lowball prices. Look at what the asking price was compared to the selling price. An agent who sells close to the asking price and quick is effective at helping clients determine the right price and helping them get it.
4. How long have you been in business and what professional organizations do you belong to? - The length of time a real estate agent has been licensed is not a sure fire sign that they´ve been an active seller. They may have been in business for 10 years but only part time, whereas an agent who´s been in business for 2 years may be a real top producer. So take into account what professional organizations they belong to. The minimum should be a licensed professional who´s a member of the local real estate board and multiple listing service as well as the state and National Association of Realtors. Local community groups and associations are also pluses in terms of networking and commitment.
5. Do you have an assistant or support staff? - By employing someone to handle the details of their business the agent can spend more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your home. It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction period.
6. How often will you hold open houses? Will they be public or by appointment only? - Simply putting a sign on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday will not sell your home. Too frequently open houses make the property a target for low ball bidders. Look for an agent with a specific plan for each open house. The plan should be just one facet of a complete marketing plan.
7. What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on? - Pricing is the most critical step to selling your home. Take great care in choosing an agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively. Keep in mind the selling price should attract prospective buyers to your home, get you top dollar in the current market and reflect the condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid? yes agents´, who will say? yes´ to any request or price while your home languishes on the market. Lowball agents will try to talk you into an artificial price simply to sell as fast as possible.
8. What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates, and what are the fee amounts I will be paying? - Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you understand it completely. Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the agreement; a good standard for length is three months. Know exactly what fees you will be paying and remember that less is not always better. If the agent stands to make very little commission you can bet it will be reflected in the amount of time and effort that is spent marketing your home. If the agent reduces their commission to get the listing it may mean they intend to spend very little money promoting the property. The normal commission is between 5 and 7 percent.
9. What disclosure laws apply to me and what do I need to be aware of? - Make sure your agent helps you with locating professional inspectors for the various mandatory home inspections required in your area. Create a home marketing file including a property fact sheet, a property transfer disclosure statement, pest control report, applicable C.C.& R´s , applicable study zones report, structural engineering report, property profile from the title company, plans for alterations or additions, and special equipment report for pools, spas, sprinklers and alarm systems. Your agent should be able to handle this for you.
10. What types of things separate you from your competition and will you give me some feedback? - How effectively will they advertise? Do they have 24-hour advertising capability? Will all the leads be followed up on by your agent´s team or will they go to other agents who may have other listings they would prefer to show? Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting home buyers will measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past. Marketing effectively in the requires progressive strategies that add value and service for both buyers and sellers!
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Seller's Tactics and Strategies

My goal is to attain the highest sales price possible for your property within the fastest time frame. To achieve this, We develop a comprehensive marketing plan with strategies and tactics engineered specifically for the swift, successful sale of your property. A three-pronged campaign is central to my results-driven approach:

Attract Buyers To Your Property By:

-Providing a detailed listing sheet to prospective buyers and agents
-Ensuring maximum exposure through my Web Site and multiple listing services
-Placing a distinctive "for sale" sign on your property, with your approval
-Arranging for previewing by Guarantee Real Estate specialists and cooperating brokers
-Exposing your property through our comprehensive marketing and advertising program

Assist You in Preparing Your Property For Sale By:

-Determining the most likely selling price based on current market values
-Discussing selling points and possible improvements to enhance the value of your home
-Explaining your showing options
-Estimating your selling costs
-Providing personal relocation services, if needed

Facilitate The Showing And Escrow Period By:

-Communicating with you on a regular schedule
-Screening qualified buyers
-Presenting and reviewing all written offers
-Negotiating the transactions
-Finalizing the terms of the sales contract
-Following up on buyer financing
-Confirming the closing and retaining a file on the entire transaction
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Home Selling Services and Tips

From market segment analysis to home staging, We know the strategies to sell your property effectively resulting in a quicker, more profitable transaction for you. In today´s market you can´t afford to be second best.

With the high level of inventory out there, you must understand that your home has some serious competition. Not only are there other homes like yours on the market, but there may be homes like yours in your neighborhood on the market. We have recently shown three homes to a buyer that had the same exact floor plan! What separates your home from all the others? Marketing and exposure of course, but there has to be more. Your home must be prepared to be viewed by prospective buyers. Wet must have the proper staging and be in top notch condition. Wet must speak for itself and stand out from the crowd.

Take a look at my marketing services and seller preparation tips to see how we can showcase your home. Then take a look at my moving tips and get ready to start packing!
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Selling Check List

Checklist for selling your home...

You can significantly influence the selling price of your house by preparing it and your property before putting it on the market! Here are suggestions to improve a buyer's first impression of your home. Review the checklist now, before every open house showing, and before photos are taken. Check to see exactly what the camera will "see". By all means, look carefully at walls, floors and ceilings for signs or wear, marks or need for repainting or wallpapering. And, don't forget to look at trim, including doors and windows.

CURB APPEAL - Property seen from the street

• Healthy, weed-free, nearly cut, trimmed lawn
• Shrubs trimmed nearly. Trees, shrubs trimmed to not touch the house
• Sealed black-top driveway
• Weed-free driveway, front walk, shrub areas o Toys, garden tools, clutter removed from yard

HOUSE EXTERIOR - Front view from the street

• Recently painted siding
• Recently painted, touched-up trim
• Repair, repaint fences, gates
  Clean, align gutters, downspouts
• Wash, align shutters
• Wash all windows, storms, screens
  FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE AREA - Exterior
• Clean, wash, scrub front steps, porch as needed
• Check front doorbell and bell light
• Replace welcome mat
• Paint or wash storm door, lubricate hinges
• Polish brass door lockset and brass hinges
• Clean and wash front door tread
  FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE AREA - Interior
• Clean interior entry area or foyer of all clutter o Reduce volume, clutter in the front hall closet
• Clean and polish the front entry floor
• Wash, polish and replace bulbs in light fixture o
• Remove fingerprints, scuff marks on trim, walls
• Paint to lighten and refresh entrance area
  LIVING-FAMILY-DINING ROOMS
• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Repair or replace damaged moulding, trim
• Remove electric plates, clean and replace
• Refinish, clean, wax hardwood and vinyl floors
  Shampoo carpeting
  BEDROOMS:
• Repaint, re paper, touch up walls, trim, ceiling
• Replace or clean drapes, bedspread, accessories
• Shampoo carpet or clean, polish floors
• Organize, clean out, neaten all closets
• Clear off top surfaces of all bedroom furniture o Put all clothing away, out-of-sight
  KITCHEN:
  Paint walls, ceiling, trim white or light color, or
  Wallpaper with small pattern and light colors
• Remove wax, scrub, re-polish floors
• Wash, wipe down, wax cabinets/appliances
• Thoroughly clean range, ovens
• Clean out refrigerator and wash interior
• Empty dishwasher, clean around controls Check operation of all appliances
• Neatly arrange and clean food storage areas
• Reorganize and clean out cabinets and drawers
• Nearly arrange and display dishes in cabinets
• Clear all clutter from countertops
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
  Wash or replace curtains
• Clean or put away pet feeding, watering dishes
  BATHS:
• Paint or wallpaper using light colors
• Scrub tile, bleach, repair grout
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
  Clean, polish floor as appropriate
• Clean out medicine cabinet, wash inside and out
• Seal around tubs and showers
  Check for evidence of water at toilet base
• Replace old toilet seats
• Replace shower window curtains Buy a set of new, color coordinated bath linens
  LAUNDRY:
  Check operation of appliances and clean them
• Clean, organize laundry area, remove clothes
• Provide adequate (bright) light to area
  GENERAL:
• Remove clutter, papers, unnecessary items
• Replace burned-out bulbs throughout the house
• Remove cobwebs from ceilings, corners
• Remove paint splash on tile, floor, cabinets
• Wash, polish all door hardware, handrails
• Reorganize, clean out all closets
• Replace switches, outlets that don't work
• Add colorful plants, flowers to several rooms
• Replace or rejuvenate pillows, accessories
• Clean out, sweep, organize garage
• Organize, make neat basement and attic storage
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The Offer And The Counter Offer

The Offer             
All offers should be put in writing.

The Counter Offer
When you accept an offer, a binding contract is formed. However, if you give a counteroffer, you are rejecting the buyer´s initial offer but giving them a price and terms at which you would agree to sell. Understand that the buyer is not obligated to accept this counteroffer. Therefore, don´t counteroffer if the initial offer is acceptable because a counteroffer gives the buyer a way out of the transaction. You should make a counteroffer even if you feel the buyer´s initial offer is far from what you would like. You can make a counteroffer appealing by making a small concession in one of the following areas: price, personal property inclusion, time of possession, or loan terms. Many people want to feel they have done all they could to get the best price  and bargaining is part of the package.

When to Seek legal help

If you receive an offer you don't understand, seek the advice of an attorney. Don't accept another party's explanation of what a written offer means.
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See more Tips in Selling Tops Part 2

©copyright 2007 Christina Ellis and Associate Realty Inc.