Becky McCully Your Charlotte Realtor

Staged homes show better, sell faster, and for more money than vacant homes, period. Staging will make your home stand out in photos, make it feel much more appealing in person, allow potential buyers to better visualize themselves living there, and will ultimately get you a better price and better terms for your home. Not every room of your home needs to be staged. In some cases, vignette staging (light staging and accessorizing) may be enough. In other cases, bringing in furniture for the more prominent areas (kitchen, living room, dining room, owner's bedroom, office & outdoor spaces) works best. We provide a complimentary home staging consultation by our award-winning home stager to determine what the best approach is for you, including a written step-by-step document that details what you can do on your own too. We've personally seen some of our sellers walk away with thousands (and for some, tens of thousands) of dollars more compared to unstaged homes.

This is a common question and I can tell by many of the homes I see online that many homeowners (and real estate agents) seem to live by this presumption. However, there's also the saying "If you're going to do something, do it well" and this is exactly how we like to work. We know for a fact that even the smallest things can make a big difference. This can amount to more money in your pocket and stronger, more qualified buyers. We don't just put your home on the MLS and hope for the best. The 3 things that will most impact the sale of your home are (i) home preparation, (ii) pricing strategy, and (iii) negotiation strategy. We put the extra time and effort into your listing to ensure we get you the best results possible...the best price, the most buyers, the strongest terms, and the best overall experience.

A great agent will help you prepare and stage your home. They'll also hire a professional photographer and videographer to tell your home's story. They will help market your home via direct mailing, websites, social media advertising, and most importantly, via the MLS. An experienced Realtor will properly guide you through the listing paperwork, seller disclosures and offer you advice on pricing your home strategically. And that's just the beginning. Once there is interest in your home, your listing agent will help you negotiate the best offer and terms, and assist with all of the contracts and paperwork. They will help guide you through the inspection and appraisal process and work with both the closing attorney and buyer's agent to get past any challenges that arise so that you actually make it to the closing table. There can be a big difference from one Realtor to the next, but if you work with a reputable one, they are well worth their fee and much more.

Well, they can be but in no way should these be relied on to be 100% accurate. The estimates from Zillow are automated valuations based on tax records and sales data from the MLS. They don't take into account such things as location, condition of the home, upgrades, recent home improvements, etc. An experienced Realtor can help properly evaluate your home and prepare a current CMA (comparative market analysis) based on all of these factors.

It depends. In theory, it's a great idea for both parties. Sharing the inspection results and any repairs made will give a buyer some assurances of the condition of the home. This could make the buyers more comfortable making an offer AND putting down a larger due diligence fee---because in NC this fee is nonrefundable if the buyer terminates the contract. Some home sellers also like the certainty that comes with knowing it is unlikely any big surprises will arise that could be detrimental to the transaction. Just remember, should you decide to have your home pre-inspected, you'll want to be prepared to either remedy those items before listing or disclose anything that is considered a "material fact" to future buyers. We can advise you on what we think would be best in your situation once we see your home.

If you're even contemplating a sale, I would suggest having an experienced Realtor come out as soon as possible even if you're not planning on selling for months. Not only is this a good chance to meet/interview your future listing agent but it also gives you plenty of time to be working on any suggested repairs, improvements, and decluttering you'll want to do before listing. A top-notch listing agent can spot even the smallest things that may make a big impact on the way your home shows and feels to prospective buyers.

Ideally, have us come out for a visit so we can walk the property with you and make suggestions specific to your home. If you're not ready for that just yet, take a look around and see if you can start by decluttering. Donate the items you don't plan on moving. There are a couple of great charity drop-off locations we suggest to people moving within the Charlotte area. Just call us if you need their contact information. You can also use the time to freshen paint if it shows wear or needs a change to a neutral color. Your early start allows some time too for sprucing up the landscape. Take care with this year's weeding and fertilizer so your landscape looks its best when you're ready to sell. We don't suggest renovation projects until we've had a chance to see your home. Too often we see people update spaces for sale when just a bit of targeted refreshing would do the trick. We look forward to visiting your Southpark home when you're ready!

If you are like me, you've probably walked through several model homes. Part of what makes them so appealing is the staging. Hands down, staged homes sell for more money than vacant property. A staged home looks better in photos, which is the first introduction buyers will have to your home. Staging encourages Myers Park homebuyers to visualize how they'd use the home, especially since each home in this neighborhood is unique. Not every room must be staged. Sometimes simple "vignette" staging may be enough.

I’d love to talk and see if we’re a good fit. The easiest way to get started is to call or text my cell phone at 704-604-0271. We can talk about why you’re jumping into the real estate market, properties you’ve seen that you like, your timeline and goals. And I’ll answer any questions you may have, so start a list of those! I’m available after working hours ( or kids in bed ) if that’s helpful for you, too.

The down payment average is 11%, but there are benefits for first time homebuyers, who usually only need to put down 3 to 5% on a home. VA loans and USDA loans can be made with zero down.