You’ve found a new piece of property in Charlotte, NC that you want to buy, but first you have to sell your existing house to get out from your current home mortgage debt obligation in order to take on a NEW mortgage debt obligation. It’s a cycle that can’t be tampered with: most lenders will not let you have two mortgages at the same time, unless one is a mortgage on a vacation property in the mountains, at the beach, or at a lake; or unless you are taking out a mortgage on an investment property. When you’re doing a simple “home swap” real estate transaction, lenders want to know your other house has a buyer so you’re not straddled with more mortgage than you can handle.
Get a GREAT Charlotte Realtor
So, you’ve got to get your house to SELL fast! First of all, you must consult a Charlotte Real Estate agent who is familiar with what helps property sell in the local market. Follow her (or his) advice because she has been around the block (literally!) several times and seen what worked and what didn’t work in the past. If your price is too high for the neighborhood in comparison to other homes for sale, you may have to rethink what you’re asking for and go lower. If she suggests sprucing things up, listen!
Get your home in dazzling showing condition
Second, learn how to spruce things up! Start watching the HGTV (Home & Garden) shows that are centered around selling and buying homes. While this might sound corny, you really can find some great tips on how to get your home “open house” ready with tons of curb appeal. Plus, you won’t have to spend too much money doing any of it as their whole goal is to keep upgrades below a target dollar amount, usually $1,000. That might sound like a hefty bit of change to some folks but when it comes to actually getting out from under a debt, the investment can pay off in the long run. (Especially if it is a situation that is keeping you out of foreclosure and saving your credit!)
Fix high dollar items
The Third step is the bigger dollar items that you might have to correct. These are things that if you don’t fix, you’ll have to come down significantly in price. If you have an in-ground swimming pool, make sure the pump is in complete working order and that all cracks are filled in and repaired. No one wants a new home with a pool that leaks or has an ugly bottom when they look through the water. If the roof has any issues, that will also have to be addressed before you list your home. Any places it has leaked and caused water stains in the ceiling will have to be fixed inside the home, too.
Curb appeal is key
Number Four is all about the yard and the outside appearance. Sometimes it just takes a Geranium? When you pull up to the home, be honest with yourself; is
it inviting and lovely? Would you want to go in and explore the inside based on what the outside looks like? Does the outside say, “I’m well maintained out here, and I have been well maintained inside, too.” Or does it shout, “I’ve been neglected for years out here, and the inside is not much better!” Clean up scraggly bushes and dig out flower beds that just don’t quite grow into actual gardens. Empty, clean yards are better than halfway attempts at landscaping that look anemic. If shutters need painting, invest $30 in a can of paint and get working!
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter your home!
Finally, the fifth step is to clean up the clutter inside. Every Charlotte Realtor tells sellers to do this and yet, so many homeowners think their knick knacks and family pictures are the exception to the “clutter rule” and that potential buyers will love what they see. Those sellers are wrong. It’s all still nothing more than cluttered space to everyone’s eye who comes through the door. Just because the picture of your niece in her tiara is the most adorable thing in the world to you, does not mean it will be to everyone else. Think hotel space. Get rid of everything personal by storing it away. This will help you start the packing process and your home will sell faster!
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