Selling your home is a big decision, and in today’s market you want every advantage on your side. If you’re looking for the best Myrtle Beach real estate agent or the top Lake Norman real estate agent to help sell your home quickly and for the highest price, you’re in the right place. I’m Sandy McAlpine, and with over 1,500 homes sold across North and South Carolina, I’ve mastered the art of marketing homes. My approach combines cutting-edge marketing, strategic pricing, and skilled negotiation to ensure my clients get faster sales and more money in their pockets. Here’s an inside look at how I make it happen:
The number one factor in a successful home sale is exposure – making sure every potential buyer knows your home is on the market. I leave no stone unturned when it comes to showcasing your property:
MLS and Online Listings: First, I list your home on the MLS and over 100+ real estate websites. Anyone searching for homes in Myrtle Beach or Lake Norman will see your property front and center.
Social Media Blitz: I run targeted social media campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn – highlighting your home’s best features. These ads are laser-focused on likely buyers (by location, interests, and demographics), resulting in thousands of impressions.
Google Ads: When people search for homes or real estate agents in your area, my Google Ads ensure your home appears in their results. This drives high-intent traffic to your listing.
Email Marketing: My team maintains an exclusive database of 34,000+ buyers and investors. The moment your home is listed, we send a beautiful email flyer to this list. We’ve often sold homes by matching them with a buyer from our email list alone!
This multi-channel approach creates a buzz. Within days of listing, your home will be on the radar of agents and buyers across Myrtle Beach, Lake Norman, and beyond. More exposure means more showings, and more showings often lead to multiple offers – the surest way to drive up your sale price.
In real estate, a picture is worth more than a thousand words – it can be worth thousands of dollars on your sale price! I spare no expense in presenting your home in the best possible light. Here’s how:
Professional Photography: Dark, blurry photos are a turn-off. I hire professional photographers who know how to capture the bright, spacious, and inviting feeling of your home. Every room is showcased with high-resolution, well-lit images that make buyers say “wow.”
Drone Aerial Shots: For properties with beautiful surroundings – like a lakefront view in Lake Norman or a golf course in Myrtle Beach – drone shots are a game-changer. Aerial photos and videos give buyers a breathtaking perspective and highlight location advantages (walking distance to the beach, anyone?).
Video Tours & 3D Walkthroughs: Today’s buyers often start their search from their couch. I create HD video tours and 3D virtual walkthroughs so buyers can experience your home online. These tools mean even out-of-town buyers can fall in love with your property and make an offer sight-unseen.
Twilight & Staging Photography: Ever notice how some homes look straight out of a luxury magazine? That’s the result of great staging and sometimes photographing at twilight when the lighting is magical. I often include twilight shots to evoke emotion, and I guide you on simple staging tips (or connect you with a pro stager) to ensure your home is photo-ready.
With these visuals, your home will stand out from the competition. Buyers browsing listings will linger on your property, watch the video tour, and get excited to see it in person. This excitement translates to higher offers – because when a buyer falls in love, they’re willing to pay a premium. One of my recent Myrtle Beach listings received an all-cash offer above asking price from an out-of-state buyer who initially toured the home via our 3D virtual walkthrough!
Pricing your home correctly is crucial. Price too high and you scare off qualified buyers; price too low and you leave money on the table. I use my local market expertise and in-depth analysis to strike the perfect balance:
I conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) looking at recent sales in your neighborhood, current competition, and market trends in Myrtle Beach or Lake Norman.
We’ll discuss your goals and timeline. Need a quick sale? We might price slightly more aggressively to attract a buyer faster. Not in a rush? We can aim higher and wait for the right offer.
I often implement a strategy to generate excitement, such as pricing at a strategic sweet spot (e.g., just under a key price threshold) to spark a bidding war. The goal is to create a scenario where multiple buyers are competing for your home.
The right price means the right buyers come through your door – those who see the value and are willing to pay for it. My clients frequently see their homes sell at or above listing price. In fact, many of my Lake Norman sellers have been thrilled to get full-price offers within the first week because we nailed the pricing from day one. I’ll make sure your pricing strategy is on-point so you don’t leave any money on the table.
Buying a home is an emotional decision. I go beyond facts and figures to make buyers fall in love with your home:
Home Staging Advice: I provide all my sellers with personalized staging tips. Sometimes small tweaks like a fresh coat of paint, new throw pillows, or decluttering can make a HUGE difference. A well-staged home helps buyers imagine themselves living there. I’ve walked through countless homes, so I know what layouts and decor resonate with buyers in our market.
Storytelling in Marketing: When I write the description for your listing, I don’t just list features; I tell a story. If there’s a cozy breakfast nook, I’ll paint the picture of enjoying morning coffee with lake views. If the home is near the beach, I’ll mention walking barefoot on the sand at sunset. These descriptions create an emotional pull that makes your home memorable.
Highlight Lifestyle and Community: Especially in areas like Myrtle Beach and Lake Norman, buyers are buying a lifestyle as much as a home. I make sure to highlight community features – from top-rated local schools and amenities to the boating, golfing, or beachfront fun nearby. This way, buyers emotionally connect not just with the house, but with the life they could lead there.
By the time buyers finish viewing your online listing or come for a showing, they’re already picturing themselves living in your home. That emotional connection often leads to stronger offers and sometimes even heartfelt buyer “love letters” accompanying their offer, telling us how much they want your home. It’s a fantastic position for you as a seller, because you can choose the offer that best meets your needs.
Marketing and pricing won’t matter if you can’t close the deal. This is where my 22+ years of experience truly pay off. When offers start coming in, I’ll guide you through them, and you can trust that I’ll negotiate assertively on your behalf. My negotiation philosophy is simple: everyone should win, but my client should win big. Here’s what I do:
Offer Review: We’ll review each offer together, looking not just at price but terms, contingencies, financing, and timing. I’ll break down the pros and cons of each, so you have a clear picture. If we have multiple offers, I’ll often be able to leverage them against each other to drive the price up (a bidding war is a seller’s best friend!).
Skilled Counteroffers: I craft counteroffers that aim to maximize your net. Whether we’re asking a buyer to come up in price, reduce contingencies, or adjust closing dates to suit your schedule – I know how to counter in a way that keeps buyers at the table. My goal is to squeeze out every possible dollar while keeping the buyer committed.
Inspection & Appraisal Negotiations: The sale isn’t done until closing. I proactively prepare for the home inspection by advising on any quick fixes beforehand. If an inspection or appraisal brings up issues, I step in to solve problems and renegotiate if needed, keeping the deal on track. For example, if the inspection finds a minor repair, I have a network of contractors ready to fix it affordably, which can save the deal without costing you a sale.
Closing Coordination: Finally, I coordinate closely with the buyer’s agent, lenders, attorneys, and escrow officers to ensure a smooth closing. No one wants last-minute surprises. My hands-on approach means I’m usually aware of any potential hiccups in advance and handle them before they become issues.
My clients often tell me they were amazed at how I handled the negotiations – turning what could be a stressful back-and-forth into a positive outcome. One Lake Norman client said: “Sandy fought for us like it was her own home sale. We ended up accepting an offer $25,000 above our list price, and the closing was seamless.” That’s the difference having an experienced negotiator makes. I treat your money like my money, and I want you to walk away thrilled with your bottom line.
In both Myrtle Beach and Lake Norman, I’ve built a reputation as the agent who gets homes sold faster and for more money – and now you know why. It’s about doing everything the right way: pricing smartly, marketing brilliantly, presenting a home beautifully, and negotiating fiercely. When you combine these, you get results that often exceed client expectations.
But don’t just take my word for it – listen to my clients:
As a seller, you deserve this level of dedication and expertise. Why settle for ordinary when you can have a master marketer and negotiator on your side?
Ready to work with the best? If you want to sell your Myrtle Beach or Lake Norman home faster and for top dollar, let’s talk. Book a consultation today and let me show you how my marketing mastery can lead to your real estate success. Ready to get started? Schedule a Google Meet consultation now!