I Need to Sell My House Fast in Charleston: What Are My Options?

Pros and cons of selling to a Charleston house-buying company

Still unsure if selling your Charleston home to a house-buying company is the right choice? Here’s a quick comparison of the top advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.

Pros

• Quick offer: Cash buyers typically provide a quick offer, often in as little as 24 hours, making it easy to sell fast.
• Sell as-is: You won’t need to worry about making repairs or improvements to your Charleston home when selling as-is.
• No staging: Skip the hassle of staging and hosting showings — cash buyers purchase your home without those steps.
• Cover closing costs: Some house-buying companies may cover or reduce closing costs, saving you money at the closing table.
• Guaranteed sale: When selling to a cash buyer, you avoid the uncertainty of contingent offers, ensuring a guaranteed sale.
• Avoid foreclosure: A cash sale can help you prevent foreclosure and cushion your financial future.

Cons

• Below market value: Cash offers typically come in significantly below market value compared to what you would get on the open market.
• Less competition for your home: You won’t benefit from multiple buyers competing for your property, which can drive up the price and result in a bidding war.
• You give up control: Selling to a company means relinquishing the ability to negotiate your price and terms.
• Risk of scams: Some cash-buying companies may not be reputable, so you need to be aware of potential scams in the Charleston area.

Top Charleston real estate agent Nancy Walsh, who sells homes 54% quicker than the average agent in her area, recommends that sellers partner with an agent to make more money on their home sale. But, she is aware that sometimes this isn’t a possibility — there are situations where sellers cannot afford the extra days on market or need the cash immediately.

“Maybe they’re trying to avoid a foreclosure, or they’ve gotten relocated. Or they’re going through a divorce, a financial situation where they need that immediate help from a cash investor. That could be the best route for them to go at that time,” she says.

However, if sellers do have the time to list their home on the market, Walsh recommends partnering with a top-performing real estate agent in your Charleston area.

Option 2: Hire a top Charleston real estate agent

Even if you’re in a hurry to sell your Charleston home, working with a top real estate agent may be the smartest move. An experienced agent who understands the local market can guide you through a fast and efficient sale while helping you maximize your profits. From staging and marketing to negotiating the best deal, an agent takes care of the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on your next steps. It’s a win-win!

“Selling with an agent in our market, you’ve got the expertise and the knowledge that agent has to help you sell a home, market the home, and bring buyers in, which is ultimately going to get it sold quicker,” Walsh says.

Below, let’s explore how quickly Charleston homes are selling, the primary benefits of working with a professional, and how to find a top agent in your neighborhood.

How fast are homes selling in Charleston?

Homes in Charleston are currently spending an average of 29 days on the market before going under contract. Once an offer is accepted, it typically takes an additional 43 days for the buyer to close, bringing the total time to sell to a little over two months. With inventory up by 45.7% year over year, buyers have more options to choose from, which could impact how quickly homes sell.

Here is a snapshot of current real estate conditions in Charleston:

*Does not include the typical 43 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

Data source(s): Charleston Trident Association of Realtors

“Houses are staying on the market maybe 30 to 40 days. It could be longer, it could even be shorter. It just depends on the house and the location of the house,” says Walsh.

Working with an agent who is well-versed in marketing homes in your Charleston area can significantly speed up the sale process. We’ll explore exactly how below.

Benefits of selling with a top Charleston agent

Working with a top Charleston real estate agent can help you achieve a faster home sale by leveraging their local expertise, industry connections, and unparalleled knowledge. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of partnering with an experienced agent:

• Ability to sell for more: A skilled agent can strategically price your home to attract buyers while maximizing your profit.
• Can generate a speedy sale: Real estate agents know how to market your home effectively to the right buyers, which can result in a quicker sale.
• Accurate, effective pricing: A top agent knows how to price your home competitively, avoiding overpricing or underpricing that could lead to lingering days on market.
• Professional negotiation skills: With strong negotiations, an agent can secure the best possible offer while maintaining a swift transaction.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced agent guides you through every step of the process, ensuring that your decisions are well-informed.
• Will know what to fix and not fix: Agents can advise on which repairs or upgrades are worth making to speed up the sale and which ones to skip.
• Elevated marketing: With tried-and-true advanced marketing techniques, your home can reach more potential buyers in less time.
• Contract savviness: Agents are skilled in handling real estate contracts, helping to avoid confusion and ensure all the necessary legal requirements are met quickly.
• Network of skilled professionals: Agents have connections with inspectors, contractors, and lenders, helping streamline the process for a quicker sale.

Walsh recommends consulting with a real estate agent, even if you are considering an all-cash offer. Although cash sales don’t require an agent, it can still be helpful to have one handy to guide you through the process.

“Where I work, we help people with both selling traditionally as well as non-traditionally. So, having an experienced agent that knows how to work both sides of real estate is very important,” she says.

How to find a top Charleston real estate agent

Convinced that finding the right real estate agent is the best move for a fast sale, but not sure where to start? HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can connect you with up to three qualified, vetted agents in the Charleston area in just a few minutes. By analyzing millions of transactions and reviews, we’ll match you with the best agent to meet your individual needs and help you navigate Charleston’s market.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Charleston house fast

There are also many low-budget tips and tricks you can use to make your more attractive to buyers. Consider leveraging these expert tips, recommended by top real estate agents, to speed up your sale:

• Price it right from the start: Avoid overpricing, as it can delay your sale. A price that competes with other homes on the market attracts more buyers from the start.
• Highlight outdoor spaces: Charleston buyers love outdoor living. Appeal to their interests by emphasizing your freshly redone patio, garden, or backyard kitchen.
• Boost curb appeal: Fresh landscaping and a clean exterior can improve first impressions and bring more buyers through the door. Walsh explains, “Curb appeal is very important. What the house looks like on the outside reflects what it’s going to look like on the inside in most cases.”
• Stage for remote workers: Charleston’s growing community of remote workers values home offices. Stage a workspace to appeal to buyers seeking functional spaces to focus.
• Get a pre-listing inspection: A pre-sale inspection can uncover hidden issues, allowing you to fix them ahead of time and earn a higher return on investment.
• Offer a home warranty: Providing a home warranty offers buyers peace of mind, particularly if they’re concerned about future repair costs.
• Use high-quality photos: In Charleston’s competitive market, high-quality photos can make your listing stand out online and attract more potential buyers.

Kevin Richter, a top Charleston agent who sells homes 34% faster than the average agent, also recommends that sellers highlight storage areas, such as basements or garages.

“Everyone has basements up in the Northeast — we don’t. Having storage space up in the attic or in the garage can be a huge pull for someone moving from a 5,000 square foot home where half of it is your basement,” he says.

Walsh also emphasizes the importance of deep cleaning and decluttering the home. “Make sure that the house smells good and looks good, and that there’s plenty of light in the house.”

Additionally, having enough flexibility to host showings during the week is a crucial factor in ensuring the widest pool of buyers sees your home. If you are only showing your home on the weekend, you may be missing out on buyers who work weekends or are only available to stop by after their work day.

“Keeping the windows and lights on for showings always helps so buyers aren’t going into a dark home,” Walsh says. “Make the home available for showings and open houses as well.”

Ready to sell your Charleston house fast?

Whether you decide it’s best to request a cash offer or hire a top Charleston real estate agent, the key is finding the right solution for your unique home-selling needs.

• If time is of the essence, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can provide a fast and hassle-free option.
• Alternatively, partnering with an experienced agent ensures that your home is marketed effectively and priced to sell quickly. HomeLight can connect you with a top-rated agent in Charleston.

If you’re unsure, consider comparing a cash offer with an agent’s market analysis to weigh your options. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of how a cash offer might stack up to what you could receive by listing the traditional way.

While needing to sell your Charleston home fast can put you in a tricky spot, HomeLight is here to help aid the process and bring you peace of mind. With this guide, you now have a complete picture of your options and can begin your home-selling journey with all the confidence you need to achieve a quick and stress-free sale.