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Selling your Wrightsville Beach house AND doing some good along the way!

By
Real Estate Agent with BlueCoast Realty Corporation

I know you've heard it ad nauseum, but it's so important you need to be reminded again.

 

De-clutter and de-personalize your home

before you put it on the market!

 

Buyers need to visualize themselves in your home.  They need to be able to imagine
making their own memories inside those 4 walls.  And the majority of them cannot do this with all of your "stuff" in the way.

I know, that "stuff" is important to you.  I get that.  But I am assuming that selling your house is important to you as well, so you're going to have to get over it and de-clutter and  de-personalize!  You just have to do it!

You'll need to put away at least 60% of the personal photos you have out.  Your family and friends are loverly, however, we are trying to sell your house, not your family and friends.  So, remove the distractions!

Closet

I bet you've got some clothes you aren't wearing anymore -- how
about donating them and making your closets look bigger at the same time?
  Buyers LOVE big closets!  And there are some great organizations, like Sharing Our Bounty, right here in New Hanover County that could put those gently used clothes to good use.  And don't forget the linen closets! 

 kitchenHow about those kitchen cabinets?  Maybe you've got a few things in there you don't need anymore.  Buyers LOVE lots of kitchen cabinet space!  You could pack them up and move them in the hopes that you will use them somedayOR, you could box them up and give Sharing Our Bounty a call.  They will see that any household items get to people making the transition from homelessness or living in shelters to their own places. The people they help have NOTHING, they are starting from scratch, so anything for the home is welcome.  Clean off the counter tops as well. It will help buyers to see how much space you have available.

If your garage is anything like the majority, you've got a few things in there that aren't being used.  Maybe you've got some furniture you keep meaning to re-finish or a bike you keep meaning to ride. The rule is, if you haven't used it in the last 12 months, you need to get rid of it!  Buyers LOVE a garage that looks clean and neat!  Having a garage that looks like a garage and not a storage unit is one of the keys to selling your house in the shortest amount of time.  Sharing Our Bounty is always looking for items to help furnish a home for a needy family.  And they donate bikes to folks who have no other House for Sale Signtransportation and need a way to get to work. 

The goal here isn't to insult you or make you get rid of all your "stuff".  It's to help you sell your Wrightsville Beach house faster and for more money.  If you get to do a little good along the way, well, that's just icing on the cake! 

By the way, I have committed to make a donation to Sharing Our Bounty from every sale I complete, in the Seller or Buyer's name.  It's the right thing to do -- giving back to your community.

 


If you are looking for some other ways to give back to our community here are a few suggestions.

 

 

 

 

Posted by

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   Copyright © 2010 - 2013 All Rights Reserved

When you're ready to buy or sell a home in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Kure Beach NC, give me a call.  Lets work together to achieve your goals!

Tish Lloyd, REALTOR®

Broker

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Realty World Cape Fear

1119-A Military Cutoff Road

Wilmington NC 28405

910.547.1446


 
  

 
 
 
 
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Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Tish,

Well said.....the Seller always think they know best, yet they want to hire you because of your knowledge, a tough fight sometimes.

Oct 11, 2010 02:05 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Liz & Bill ~ I haven't yet met a listing that couldn't benefit from at least a little de-cluttering! 

Dan ~ It can be a tough fight, but the rewards are great so it's a battle worth taking on!  Thanks for stopping by!

Oct 11, 2010 03:53 AM
Steve Baklaich
RE/MAX Results St Cloud Mn real estate - Saint Cloud, MN
Treating Buyers & Sellers to Full Service Always.

Another great post Tish. The charitable donation coupled with decluttering is a great approach. This is why I live reading your blog. Your ideas, and thaughts, and how you present them. Persuasive:)

Oct 11, 2010 05:33 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Well, Steve, that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever recieved!  Thank you!

Oct 11, 2010 06:01 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

It's all out ... very straightforward. But then times when you need a jack hammer to get through those tough sellers.

Great idea about donating your unused, unwanted and forgotten belongings to those who could make better use of them.

Oct 11, 2010 06:15 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Tish great advice AND a great plug for Sharing our Bounty!  I'll bet they're thrilled with the calls they'll be getting as you help get their word out. 

Oct 11, 2010 07:40 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Will ~ Cleaning out and making room -- just clears your mind for better things, not to mention your home.

Lee & Pamela ~ Thank you, we're going to try to get them as much "press" as possible; they do wonderful work and this is an opportunity for us to perhaps help just a bit.

Oct 11, 2010 07:58 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Preach it, sister!  It IS so important to keep the reminder out there that sellers need to declutter and depersonalize and you have given some very charitble ideas for all that extra "stuff".

wake forest nc house chick

Oct 11, 2010 08:24 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Leesa ~ You crack me up!  Please feel free to re-blog to all of your fans!  My house will be so empty when I finish; my stuff has stuff!

Oct 11, 2010 08:29 AM
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI
Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro NE - Carmel, IN
Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

Tish--Sellers cannot hear this message too much---but I really am thankful to you for the information on Sharing Our Bounty.  I signed up for the e-mails and will become a fan when I am on facebook.  I hope I can be of help even as far away as Indiana.  Definitely suggesting your post!!  Very worthwhile cause and a two fold message!!

Oct 11, 2010 08:53 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Pat ~ I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support!  Pretty excited about getting the word out to as many people as possible -- think it will be good for each of us to focus on our local communities and hopefully, broaden our SOI and get our heads into what we're about.

David ~ "Make it work"!  I really like that.  Action, that's what we need.

 

Ralph Gorgoglione just posted a new group called "Pay It Forward" which is akin to what I had suggested here.  Sounds like a grand group.

Oct 11, 2010 10:05 AM
Mary Kay Hopkins
Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC e-PRO, GRI, CRS, CRB - Lake Charles, LA
e-PRO,GRI,CRS

Tish, thanks for yet another "right-on" post.  De-cluttering is a tall order for many sellers, but one they should follow.  Love that you are supporting and marketing Sharing Our Bounty.

Oct 11, 2010 02:53 PM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Mary Kay ~ De-cluttering is a tall order for me -- I'm a sentimental saver -- trying to break the habit.  Sharing Our Bounty does great work, we're humbled to be able to help in some small way.  Thanks for your comments.

Oct 11, 2010 03:08 PM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

Tish- De-cluttering is one of the biggest challenges I have when dealing with clients. You mention the garage- I consider it a small victory if I can get my folks to stick the overflow in there. I'd rather have the garage clean and free, but don't get it too often.

Oct 11, 2010 05:21 PM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Scott ~ It can certainly be a challenge, no question.

Oct 12, 2010 02:03 AM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Hey Tish ~ So sorry, but I fell behind a little bit.  Glad I caught this one!  Great post.  Sellers forget that buyers look every where, and well,...why shouldn't they?  They are putting their life savings into a home.  They need to know if it will work for them.  Does it have enough storage? 

Sharing our Bounty ~ I have never heard of them before.  I will be making a phone call today! 

Oct 12, 2010 08:03 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Laura ~ I am so blessed to have met you here in the 'Rain!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Take good care of yourself and of Destiny!  Blessings.

Oct 12, 2010 08:13 AM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Awe Tish ~ Thank you!  XXOO's

Oct 13, 2010 06:50 AM
Anonymous
Kerry with Sharing Our Bounty

Tish, you are SO AWESOME!!!  Thank you so much for your support.  You have helped Sharing Our Bounty  from the beginning with the donation of items, financial pledging, and now ADVERTISING! :)  You are a gem!

God's Grace and Blessings,

Kerry Fitzgerald

Sharing Our Bounty

 

Oct 15, 2010 05:23 AM
#29
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Kerry ~  You have listened to that still small voice and created a way for so many to Share Our Bounty.  We thank you and want you to know how much you and your family have blessed us, by providing an avenue through which to reach those with real needs.  We look forward to being able to work with you to help all those whose needs are so basic, yet so great.

 

Oct 15, 2010 02:32 PM