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Planning to Sell Your Home? Here’s How to Protect and Increase Home Value on a Budget

Dusty Rhodes • May 10, 2022

1) Declutter to increase home value


It happens to all of us – the storage closet that was once empty, is now overflowing; and belongings that should be stored away have found new homes elsewhere. If this sounds familiar, now is a great time to begin eliminating things you no longer need.


Decluttering is one of the most inexpensive ways to increase home value. Pay particular attention to your kitchen and bathrooms, as well as your living room, as these are most often a home’s best selling points. Tackle this project room-by-room, and don’t move on until the room is finished so you can avoid creating an endless pile of stuff. You can begin by categorizing your items using three different piles. One for belongings you’d like to keep, one for “maybe’s,” and one for donation items. In a few days, come back to the “maybe” pile and make the final cuts.


Follow these tips as you begin decluttering:


  • Prioritize organizing your bathroom. Start with your countertops and work your way to your linen closet and medicine cabinets. Try to remove personal items like your toothbrush, hairbrush, and mouthwash so buyers can imagine their own space.
  • Tidy up your home office. be sure to file away or shred old papers, clear off your desk, and hide any unsightly cords using zip ties or cords.
  • Throw out any expired items throughout your home. This includes items in the kitchen, pantry, bathroom, and medicine cabinet.
  • Sort through your closet and remove extra hangers, and donate or toss out clothes or shoes you no longer need. This will help your closet space appear more spacious and organized.
  • Remember, your entryway sets the first impression. Be sure to declutter it of personal items and create an entrance that draws buyers in.
  • Clear your kitchen countertops. Avoid using this space for random objects, and try to hide all countertop appliances, such as your blender, toaster, and crockpot. 
  • Depersonalize your home. Remove items that are too personal, like family photos. It will help if potential buyers imagine themselves in the space.
  • Try to remove visual clutter from hallways, such as hooks, artwork, and photographs. Cramped hallways can be a deal breaker.
  • Pare down throw pillows, blankets, and decor in the living room to make the space feel larger. 
  • Organize bookshelves and display cabinets. Strip the layer of dust, remove trinkets, personal items, storage bins, and arrange and style books.
  • Don’t forget to clear out your refrigerator, freezer, and under the sinks. Potential buyers will surely be curious about storage space.
  • Be sure to stash away any children’s toys and pet toys. While your home is on the market, try to limit the number of toys available to play with.
  • Create a laundry space where potential buyers will be able to imagine themselves almost enjoying the chore. Be sure to clear countertops and organize your cleaning products.


Decluttering can be a huge task for just one person to complete. Working with a professional organizer may be the best choice, and can even increase a home’s asking price by up to 5%.


2) Deep clean your home


After you’ve decluttered, the next step is to deep clean your home. That means it’s time to wipe and dust every surface, mop, and vacuum carpets and floors. Dig deep into the kitchen, make your bathroom shine, and tidy up your living room. Odor can also make a lasting impression, especially a bad-smelling one. Pets, kids, food, and other conditions can make your home smell and discourage potential homebuyers. 


Keeping your house clean can be a time-consuming task, and let’s face it – sometimes it’s hard to find the time to clean your home from top to bottom. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service; they’re less likely to overlook something that may not be on your cleaning checklist. They’ll also be able to reach every nook and cranny of your home to leave it shining so you can increase home value, sell your house quickly, and for more money. In fact, according to a 2019 survey by HomeLight, deep cleaning can add as much as $4,000 to your home’s resale value. 


3) Paint your home, inside and out


When selling your home, it’s important for potential homebuyers to picture themselves living there. Dull, dingy, chipped, or low-quality paint may discourage buyers and hurt your property value. Avoid busy and bright colors as these shades tend to turn attention away from the home itself. Painting the interior of your home in a neutral color requires a relatively small investment for what you’ll get in return, which is usually increased home value, more interested homebuyers, and hopefully more competing offers.


Painting the exterior of your home may cost a bit more, but the increase in curb appeal could sell your home faster. Does it need it? Take a walk outside and look around. Do you see any cracks or peeling? Has the color faded? If the answer is yes, the time to repaint is now.


Consider hiring a professional painting company so they can eliminate the risk of using the wrong brush, buying low-quality paint, or using too much or too little. 


4) Replace the garage door


Your garage door has likely experienced a lot of wear and tear over the years. How did it sound the last time you opened and closed it? You may have forgotten about dents from bike wrecks or flying balls after a while, but buyer’s will definitely notice. Check the sweep, too. If blowing rains come under the door, chances are critters do too and the sweep needs replacing. For less than $5,000, on average, you can increase home value and reap an ROI of almost 94 percent when you replace it. 


5) Add manufactured stone veneer


To really spruce things up and increase home value, consider giving your home a stone veneer facelift. Manufactured stone pairs well with many house styles and gives it a rich feel. Why would you want to spend money on an upgrade like stone veneer if you’re just selling your home anyways? If your home is competing with several others in your area that are similar in appearance, a stone veneer is a great way to draw attention to your listing and could help you sell your home quicker and for more money.


If you have vinyl siding, incorporating manufactured stone veneer is a great way to enhance your curb appeal and increase home value. On average, you can cover 300-square-feet of the bottom third of your home’s street-facing facade for about $10,000 and reap a whopping 92 percent ROI, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report.


6) Increase home value by upgrading your kitchen


It’s easy to understand why the kitchen is a huge selling point for buyers, they often imagine preparing meals and socializing with family and friends in the new space. Budget-friendly and simple improvements include repainting cabinets, adding a backsplash, and replacing the sink. You can also opt for eco-friendly options and upgrade to a low-energy microwave, select water-efficient features, and energy-efficient lighting. No matter which project you choose to do in the heart of your home – it should increase your enjoyment of the space. In fact, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry gives upgrading your kitchen a “joy score” of 10 in their annual Remodeling Impact Report.


7) Pay attention to your yard


First impressions make a difference when selling a home, and sprucing up the exterior of your home is just as important as the interior. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Would you feel compelled to tour a home if it didn’t look well kept on the outside? 

Curb appeal helps to bring buyers through the door, sell your home quickly, and can increase the value of your home up to 11%.


Here are some easy, budget-friendly curb appeal ideas improvements you can try today.


  • Repaint or replace your front door. Front doors quickly begin to look worn and tired with daily use and extreme weather. Repainting or replacing your door is a quick and cost-effective way to add curb appeal. 
  • Update the exterior lighting. If your walkway up to your front door is poorly lit or your fixtures are outdated, consider updating your exterior lighting to create a more inviting entryway. You can also illuminate some of your landscaping work, trees, and shrubs. From post lights, LED lights, solar lights, and wall mounts, the options are endless.
  • Switch out your old fence. Worn fences can take the attention away from your home and hurt your property value. Replacing your existing fence for a new one can give your yard the boost it needs by enhancing the greenery, ensuring privacy and security, and increasing home value. You can choose between several different materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, wrought iron, and composite.
  • Hire a professional landscaper. Opt for a low-maintenance and clean-cut landscape design to appeal to buyers, and increase how much your property is worth. Even edging the beds, mulching the garden, and pruning the trees and hedges can enhance any landscape. Consider working with a professional landscaper to maximize your curb appeal and create a front yard that buyers will love the moment they arrive.
  • Wash the windows and the siding. It doesn’t take long for your house and windows to form a layer of dust, dirt, fingerprints, or even algae, leaving your home looking dull and grimy. Hire a professional for regular cleaning to avoid paint stripping, splinters, and mold and mildew problems.


8) Let the light in


More lighting can bring life into a room. While a poorly lit room can feel small, dark, and cramped, a brightly lit space does just the opposite. The proper lighting can make your home look cleaner, more spacious, and increase home value. Try to schedule open houses and home tours during the brightest time of the day, and be sure to open window blinds to increase natural light. Replace dim bulbs with bright, warm-spectrum bulbs. Consider incorporating recessed lighting into your home, the number one most valuable home trend today. You can even incorporate an eye-catching light fixture, perhaps in the entryway, to improve the perceived value of your home and add a bit of character.


9) Focus on the bathroom


The bathroom is one of the most important rooms to prospective buyers, and a few budget-friendly updates can take it to the next level. Consider replacing the sink faucet with a stylish alternative, switching out your showerhead, adding granite or marble countertops to your bath vanity, or upgrading the lighting. 


10) Pay attention to the details


Even the smallest updates have the ability to dramatically improve the appearance of your home. Check out these quick and budget-friendly improvements that can increase home value:


  • Updating knobs on kitchen cabinets and doors
  • Fix loose wires and leaky faucets
  • Add attic insulation
  • Wrap up home projects and little repairs
  • Replace faceplates and wall switches
  • Refinish your hardwood floors
  • Regrout floor and shower tile


11) Hire a home inspector


If you’re preparing to sell your home, it’s a good idea to schedule a pre-listing home inspection to check out the areas of your home that you don’t normally see and identify any problems in advance. Home inspectors look for underlying safety issues on the home’s structural, electrical, and mechanical systems that could severely impact a buyer’s resources to make necessary or needed repairs. Roof damage, a termite infestation, a water leak, or outdated electrical wiring will surely decrease property value. If you’re aware of the issues, you’ll be able to get them repaired before listing your home all while increasing the value of your home.

Source: RedFin


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Myrtle Beach OKs extension for halting new long-term rentals near ocean

By Dusty Rhodes • November 18, 2024
Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday approved first reading to extend the temporary moratorium established in the spring that halted converting short-term rentals into long-term ones. The original ordinance passed first reading on April 9 and second reading on May 14. It imposed a 270-day halt on “acceptance, review and approval of applications to convert multi-family short-term rental properties to multi-family long-term rental properties within an area spanning from the east or seaward side of Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway, and from Grand Dunes Boulevard to the point where Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway intersect near the south city limits,” the ordinance reads. The 270-day halt was set to expire in January, according to the ordinance. The extension adds another 60 days to the moratorium. The council also approved a motion to declare certain vehicles abandoned or derelict in an effort to improve the appearance of both commercial and residential neighborhoods. “This report includes vehicles staff tagged as abandoned or derelict. Council’s approval allows these vehicles to be towed from their private property locations to a tow yard where they may be reclaimed by the current owner upon payment of the applicable towing and storage fees,” the motion reads. “If the vehicles are not claimed by the owner within 30 days of the required notice, then the tow company may sell the vehicle and keep the proceeds as compensation.” All four items on the consent agenda passed, including three grants of $110,262, $84,825 and $300,000. The $110,262 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and is for continuation of Myrtle Beach police’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program. According to the motion, the funds will be used “to support the full-time NIBIN detective dedicated to the acquisition, correlation, analysis, investigation, and prosecution of gun and gun-related crimes.” The $84,825 grant comes from the South Carolina Attorney General for the Violence Against Women Act. Those funds will be used “to support the hiring of a Police Victim Advocate dedicated to immediately responding to the safety needs of victims of violent crime. This position will allow Myrtle Beach police to provide, enhance, and expand its direct services to primary and secondary victims.” The $300,000 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and will allow Myrtle Beach police to establish a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. “LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement that allows law enforcement to redirect low-level offenders to community services, including mental health services and drug rehabilitation,” the motion reads. “MBPD will use this funding for two Health Outreach Coordinators and scholarships for participants.” Before the meeting, proclamations were also made recognizing former Horry County Police Chief Joe Hill, who retired last month, as well as Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell, who will retire in December. Gosnell was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in September.

Ways to Thank Service Members and Veterans

By Dusty Rhodes • November 11, 2024
While any time is a good time to thank military members for their service, some military-related holidays and observances are an especially great time to recognize those who took the oath to serve and protect our country. Looking to show your appreciation for service members and veterans beyond just words? Here are a few ideas. Acts of Service Buy a meal. If you see a service member in uniform or recognize someone is a veteran while dining out, picking up the tab for their meal is a nice gesture – and an even better surprise. Lend a hand. Are you good at carpentry, plumbing, or landscaping? Do you enjoy sewing, cooking, or cleaning? Offer your skills to help a military family in need, especially if a service member is deployed. Using these skills to show your support could ] brighten someone’s day and make life a little easier for military families juggling responsibilities. Volunteer at a VA hospital or veterans’ shelter. Not every veteran has someone checking up on them, so seeing a friendly face, especially during times of struggle, could mean more than you know. VA medical facilities depend on volunteers to help with various services, including visiting patients, running errands, or helping facilitate recreational activities. In addition, serving meals at a veterans’ shelter or donating goods to food pantries and shelters that serve veterans helps ensure basic needs are being cared for. Connect With Veteran Networks Participate in parades and other veteran events. Many cities hold parades and celebration events during military-related holidays, like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. By attending the events, you can show your gratitude in person. Consider joining wreath-laying ceremonies for Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or take your family to one of the many Veterans Day events across the country to show your support. Check-in with military families. If you know someone or have neighbors with a service member in the family who is stationed away from their loved ones, take time to check in and let them know you’re there to help if needed. The simple gesture will help the family know they have support and give the service member more peace of mind, knowing there is someone nearby to look in on their family members . Listen to veterans’ stories. If you meet a veteran, take time to connect and learn more about their time in service. You’ll likely be amazed and inspired by their stories. If you’re a company or organization seeking a veteran speaker for an event or fundraiser, programs like Wounded Warrior Project’s Warriors Speak® give warriors and military caregivers a platform to share their stories and raise awareness of the needs of injured veterans. Donate to a veterans’ charity. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to honor service members and veterans is to donate to a veterans service organization (VSO). Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to serving veterans and their families by providing a holistic approach to care, including mental wellness , physical health and wellness , peer support , financial education , and much more. Supporting VSOs is a meaningful way to empower veterans to thrive and live their lives to the fullest. Send a Military Care Package Another way to thank active-duty service members is to send a military care package. Even during peacetime, there are things service members stationed in the U.S. and abroad can use and enjoy. It also doesn’t hurt to get an unexpected gift and reminder of home when you’re away from family. Here are some ideas on what to send in a military care package: Toiletries: Items like deodorant, soap, shampoo, and razors are always needed and appreciated. Costs for these little things can add up, and they are necessary, whether in the field, deployed overseas, or even at home. Deck of cards, puzzles, books. Even with all our modern technology, a deck of playing cards is a classic care package item. Books, puzzles, and games can also be a fun way to pass the time on deployment, in the field (if allowed), or at the barracks. Feminine-hygiene products. Women are the fastest-growing demographic of veterans, and more and more are serving in the Armed Forces. Sending items specifically to women warriors shows them they’re being seen for their service and helps provide much-needed supplies that are often an extra expense for servicewomen. Snacks. Consider portable snacks like beef jerky, trail mix, or energy bars for warriors in combat zones. For those in basic training or stationed away from home, send local treats or popular snacks that are easy to share. Add comfort items like soup cups, instant coffee, flavored drink mixes, or cookies. A card or letter. It’s always nice to hear that what you’re doing is appreciated. When sending a note or card in a military care package, include how important the service member’s sacrifice is to you why it matters. Reading these words of support and appreciation can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Regardless of how you decide to show your appreciation to service members and veterans, we must never forget the sacrifice members of the U.S. Armed Forces are willing to make for us. Find out other ways you can help wounded veterans. Contact: — Paris Moulden, Public Relations, pmoulden@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.7910 About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more . 

Why Home Sales Historically Bounce Back After Presidential Elections

By Dusty Rhodes • October 28, 2024
With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down. Election Years Bring a Temporary Slowdown In any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal trend. However, according to data from BTIG , in election years there’s usually a slightly larger dip in home sales in the month leading up to Election Day ( see graph below ): 
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