Hilton Head Real Estate

Grounds and Landscaping

If you are looking to sell your home, Hilton Head real estate agent Darle Booher can provide you with the knowledge and experience to sell your property quickly at full market value.

Did you know that within the first few seconds a potential buyer has begun to form a lasting impression of your home? What you are able to do and achieve in the presentation of the exterior of your home is the first critical component to selling your home.

Quick Tips to Increase Property Value

• Have the lawn and plants in good order. Neatly trimmed shrubbery ("curb appeal") makes a tremendous first impression.
• The front door is the gateway to your property and can also have a large impression on the potential buyer. While waiting for someone to greet the buyer or open the door and lockbox the purchaser begins to evaluate the potential of your home. If needed, apply a fresh coat of paint with particular attention to the doors and shutters.
• It may be necessary to power wash the roof fascias, siding, walk decks, porches, and driveways.
• View is a significant consideration in any purchase. Replace fogged windows and doors. Keep the windows sparkling clean.
• Apply touch up paint as needed to railings, deck areas, and even outdoor furniture.
• Repair or replace any missing or damaged shingles on the roof area.
• Plant seasonal flowers in the landscape or add potted plants to make your home more inviting.

Mark S. Henry of the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics at Clemson University recently completed a study of home sales in Greenville, South Carolina. Among the key findings were that homes with excellent landscaping sell at 4% to 5% higher, but homes with poor landscaping in neighborhoods with excellent landscaping sold for 8% to 10% less.

Robert Irwin, author of Improve the Value of Your Home Up to $100,000: 50 Surefire Techniques and Strategies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003), says that when it comes to your back yard, putting in a little effort can go a long way.

"If you put in a minimal amount of money, time, and effort into your back yard, you will help sell your home and probably get enough boost in price to warrant the work," he said. "However, if you do extensive landscaping, just consider it money spent to please yourself. Although it will help sell your home faster, it won't impress buyers enough to pay much more for it."

A simple investment of less than a few hundred dollars and a few hours time can make all the difference in the world in selling your home quickly and at full market value.

If you have any questions about Bluffton and Hilton Head real estate or would like to list your home with our services, please call toll free or email your comments and questions.

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