Home Buying/Selling – Woodside Aiken Realty

September 4, 2023

House Selling Checklist

Getting your house ready to put on the market can seem like a massive undertaking. From cleaning to staging, you might not know where to begin. In search of advice? Break each room into sections, and tackle the room head-on with this house-selling checklist.

Living Room

Use pillows and throw blankets to soften up the room.
Clear off the coffee table.
Store toys out of sight.

Dining Room

Clear off the dining table—only leave the centerpiece.
Remove extra chairs from the table.
Set the table with 4 to 6-place settings.

Kitchen

Clean the appliances—stove, oven, and microwave.
Remove magnets from the refrigerator.
Empty the trash can before each showing.

Bedrooms

Invest in new bedspreads if necessary.
Remove distracting wall decor.
Keep daily necessities in either bins, drawers, or closets.

Bathrooms

Display a new bottle of hand soap.
Replace shower curtains if necessary.
Clean any moldy areas.

Laundry Room

Store soap and supplies in a cupboard.
Clear out all clothing.
Keep all surfaces clean.

Although it will take time and effort to get your house ready to show, just remember—the better it looks, the shorter the time it will stay on the market! Woodside-Aiken Realty offers a wide range of homes for sale Aiken SC. Whether you’re looking for a cozy single-family home, a spacious estate, a townhouse, or a condominium, they have a diverse selection of properties to meet your needs and preferences. To explore the current listings of homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina through Woodside-Aiken Realty, you can visit their website or contact their office directly. They will be happy to provide you with detailed information about available properties and guide you through the process of purchasing your dream home in this charming Southern city.

August 5, 2023June 14, 2023

Buying a New Construction Home

What do you look for when you are searching for a home? Do you love a house with all of the latest technology and a host of exciting, up-to-date bells and whistles or do you prefer architectural touches from a bygone era? Do you love imagining the people who lived there before or do you want to consider your new home a clean slate? Are you captivated by the history of a property or are you more interested in the history you’ll make there?

Depending on your wish list and your personality, you may find that a new construction home offers better options than the resale of an existing property. This is especially true if you are looking for customization options geared toward your family’s particular preferences. Buying new construction isn’t for everyone, however, and it’s important to think through the pros and cons of the process.

What follows are some of the advantages and disadvantages of building your next home, rather than buying an existing property. Consider your goals, your preferences, and your lifestyle as you think through the options and choose the right home for you and your family.

Advantages of buying a new construction home

For some people, new construction is the only way to go when it is time to buy a home. Whether you’re in that camp or just looking for an alternative to the current resale market, there are a few distinct advantages to moving forward with a new home build.

An answer to low inventory

In markets around the country, low inventory has driven up home prices and turned most real estate transactions into multiple offer scenarios. The advent of COVID-19 has exacerbated this problem, making even less desirable properties and markets hot commodities. With a new construction home, you can avoid wrangling over a property that may not be your dream home to start with.

With new construction, much of the uncertainty is taken out of the equation, and as long as there’s a lot available in your chosen community you know you’ll get the house. Your builder will then be able to give you a fair estimate of your expected timeline so that you can plan your move-in date. In addition, the flexibility of new construction may allow you to truly build the home you’ve envisioned rather than looking for that magic dream home on the resale market.

No worries about old systems

One of the reasons the home inspection process is so nerve-wracking for home buyers is because they fear buying someone else’s problems. Older systems or systems that have been improperly maintained, along with deferred maintenance and hidden damage can make it a bit intimidating to buy a resale property.

By contrast, new construction offers you a baseline wherein all of the systems, fixtures, and appliances are brand new at the same time. That gives you several years of worry-free, low-maintenance living, along with a clearer idea of the replacement horizon for the home’s systems, appliances, and fixtures.

New technology and materials

With a new home, you can take advantage of the benefits offered by newer construction materials and new technology to create a home that is more up-to-date and energy-efficient than any resale home could be. Smarter building methods, greener building materials, and more energy-efficient systems and appliances not only save you money but may mean that your home is healthier than an older home as well.

Disadvantages of buying a new construction home

While you may be excited at the idea of a new construction home, for some homeowners there is nothing like the history and overall feeling associated with an older home. In addition, there are a few ways in which a new construction home may present challenges.

Lack of mature landscaping

Many new construction communities feature little or no mature landscaping, with small, stunted trees and immature lawns. If you favor the insulating and environmental benefits of tree-lined streets and residential lots, you may want to look for an existing home in a more traditional, older neighborhood. Alternatively, you may want to consider buying a lot in an older neighborhood, and then hiring a custom builder rather than buying in a completely new community.

Buying a New Construction Home

Not all builders are the same

While a new construction home can offer years of peace of mind, that’s only when the builder and construction team are competent and reliable. Unfortunately, not all builders are created equal and you could find yourself struggling with unfinished interiors and poorly installed systems. Your real estate professional should serve as your guide to the most skillful, reliable builders in your local market.

Lack of bargaining power

If you’re looking for a bargain on your home purchase or if you love the excitement of negotiating your purchase price, you will not get much satisfaction out of a new home purchase. Here, the costs are fairly standardized and you will have little bargaining power in regard to the cost of the home. You may be able to negotiate some of the extras and upgrades.

Talk to your Aiken SC realtor or broker about the process of buying a new construction home. You’ll want an agent’s representation like Woodside-Aiken Realty throughout the process, especially as you consider financing scenarios, builder contracts, and other aspects of the transaction.

July 8, 2023June 14, 2023

5 Summer Staging Tips

Summer is the season when home selling really starts to heat up. According to a study by ATTOM Data Solutions, the months of June, July, and August are some of the most seller-friendly months of the housing market.

But, despite the summer being a popular time for real estate, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put some work in when trying to sell your home. By using some of these staging tips, you’ll make your home more welcoming to potential buyers.

Add some flair to your curb appeal.

Try adding some color to your yard by planting summer flowers and plants. Even some inexpensive annuals can add elegance to your yard and leave an impression. If you don’t want to plant anything new in your yard, add some planters of flowers around your outdoor space—once you move, you can bring this new greenery along to decorate your new home.

A fresh coat of paint can really help your front door stand out. You can go with a classic color like white or charcoal, or go for a pop of color like red or yellow. Other curb appeal changes to make to your home include:

Replacing your mailbox.
Upgrading your house numbers to a modern font.
Switching out a worn welcome mat for a new one.
Pressure washing your home’s siding to give it a good-as-new look.

Highlight your outdoor space.

The summer is a prime time to use outdoor spaces like patios and decks, and you should emphasize these spaces when selling your home. Make sure to leave your patio setup with chairs, tables, and even a grill to give buyers an image of what their outdoor entertaining could look like. Add some colorful accents that capture the summer spirit with an outdoor rug or a centerpiece for a table, and you can include a few throw pillows to emphasize the coziness.

Other outdoor space enhancements you should consider before showing your home include:

Decluttering your yard by putting away any gardening tools or kids’ toys.
Power washing and refinishing your deck, patio, or fence.
Checking and upgrading your outdoor lighting for showings in the evening.
Trimming any trees and shrubs.
Adding a layer of mulch to flower beds.

Keep it cool.

Depending on where you live, the summer can range from warm to sweltering. While you may typically turn off the air-conditioning or raise the temperature before leaving your home, you should instead leave it at a comfortable temperature for the showing. Also, leave ceiling fans on to help circulate the air throughout your home, especially if your house doesn’t have air conditioning. As for your yard, providing areas of shade will allow potential buyers to take their time while appreciating every aspect of your outdoor space.

Brighten things up.

Summer is filled with sunny days, and you should use this to your advantage. Start by cleaning all your windows and screens to let in as much light as possible, and keep blinds and curtains open to make your home feel spacious and welcoming. Also, keep any trees and plants near your home trimmed back so they don’t block light. If there are any dark corners or rooms in your home, install lightning or add a lamp to brighten up the space.

Keep visitors refreshed.

A welcoming gesture can’t hurt when selling your home, so provide potential buyers with refreshments. Keep it simple with bottles of water or a glass dispenser filled with cold water or iced tea, and leave a note welcoming the buyers to help themselves.

If you’re ready to embark on your journey to find the perfect home in Aiken, SC, Woodside-Aiken Realty is here to assist you every step of the way. Reach out to our dedicated Aiken SC realtor today and let them help you turn your dream of homeownership into a reality. Contact us or visit our website to browse our current listings and start your search for the ideal home. Discover the joys of living in Aiken, SC, with Woodside-Aiken Realty as your trusted real estate partner. Let them guide you toward finding your dream home in this beautiful city!

May 6, 2023April 4, 2023

How to Make Your Spring Listing Stand Out

Spring is an ideal time to sell a home. It’s a well-known fact that both the number of buyers and inventory increase during the months of April, May, and June. This often means that your house could be paired against stiff competition. Here are some simple real estate tips to help your spring listing stand out!

Stay ahead of the home inspection

If you know that a home inspector will find something wrong with your house, it’s advantageous to get it fixed before the inspection. Potential buyers will appreciate the updates, and it will probably cost you less to have it fixed beforehand. It also reduces the possibility of buyers placing certain contingencies on the contract.

Check out these pieces about home inspection to make this hurdle an easy one.

Declutter indoor spaces
Have extra clutter accumulated from the winter? Time to purge! Consider donating excess items to a local shelter. Potential buyers are more likely to enjoy your house if it’s clutter-free. Tidy spaces also help rooms appear larger, a win-win for both you and a potential buyer.

Decluttering can be stressful and difficult, here are some articles with advice on decluttering.

Resume yardwork
It’s time to clean up what winter left behind. Remove all dead leaves and debris from your property. Don’t allow overgrown vegetation to block windows and sidewalks. Trim down large bushes and branches to showcase the exterior of your home. Plant spring flowers in the front, either in a potter or in a bed, to add a pop of color and increase curb appeal.

Deep clean the exterior
The exterior is just as important as the interior. Power wash the siding, sidewalk, and driveway. A potential buyer will be much more interested if the siding and walkways are all freshly cleaned. Power washing is also an inexpensive improvement; you can rent a machine for around $50.

Brighten up your color palette
The days are becoming brighter and so should your decor! Catchall accent pieces can be easily replaced to incorporate soft spring colors (yellows, pinks, and lavenders). Bright sofa pillows will lighten up a room and make potential buyers feel more welcome.

Consider painting cabinets and small furniture pieces to pop! Here’s a guide on painting common surfaces.

If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced Aiken SC realtor to help you sell your home, Woodside-Aiken Realty is an excellent choice. With their commitment to quality, exceptional customer service, and knowledge of the local housing market, you can trust them to help you sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

April 8, 2023March 4, 2023

5 Vital Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Buying your first home is equivalent to embarking on a grand adventure. Although extremely thrilling, learning the ins and outs of the process can often seem overwhelming. From determining a budget to obtaining a loan, there are numerous factors to take into consideration along the way. Keep these five tips in mind throughout the journey.

Check your credit score
Your credit score impacts various aspects of your life, especially when it comes to buying a house. It’s a determining factor in being approved for a loan with a low-interest rate. Credit Karma offers free credit reports with monitoring, which can help you catch what may be negatively affecting your score. Mortgage brokers, credit card companies, and banks can also sometimes explain your score in greater detail. Check with them to see if they offer this service.

Be realistic about what you can afford
When setting a budget, it’s important to be realistic. To keep your head out of the clouds, consider making a master list of the necessities (such as the number of bedrooms and square footage) and a separate list of the extras (such as hardwood floors and a modern kitchen) that you’re willing to compromise on. Many first-time buyers update their house piece by piece, creating the ultimate dream home!

Gather all necessary documents
To get prequalified for a loan, lenders typically require various documents. It’s advantageous to collect pay stubs, bank statements, and W-2s from the past two years. Ensuring your paperwork is organized will eliminate having to scramble every time a lender requests additional information.

Get pre-approved for your loan
Once your credit score is deemed acceptable and the required documents are submitted, you’ll be able to begin the preapproval stage. Being preapproved allows you to submit an offer with confidence, and puts you on equal footing with competing bids.

Find a supportive real estate agent
Whether it’s by word-of-mouth or through research, connect with a real estate agent like Woodside-Aiken Realty, who fully understands your search criteria. A good real estate agent will assist first-time home buyers throughout the entire process. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is with a real estate agent who is on the same page as you.

As with every adventure, the destination is the most rewarding part. Take the time to enjoy it—you only get to be a first-time home buyer once.