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Selling Tip of the Month: Tired Homes Don’t Rent—or Sell—Well

Get ahead of the competition and make your home shine—for renters and buyers

If you’re even thinking about selling in the next 6 to 12 months, now’s the perfect time to start getting your home in shape. Why wait until the last minute when you can be ahead of the curve and keep your rental guests happy?

Let’s be honest—tired homes don’t photograph well, don’t book well, and definitely don’t sell well. But a little effort now can make a big difference. Fresh updates help your property shine in rental listings and stand out when buyers start looking for next season’s investment homes.

Here’s what you can do while the home is still being rented:

– Take a good look at your furnishings and décor. Are they still photo-worthy or starting to look a little tired?

– Check your decks and railings. Are they holding up after a summer of salt air and sandy feet?

– How’s your curb appeal holding up after all that guest traffic?

Here’s a smart move:
Schedule a pre-listing inspection, even if you’re not planning to sell until next year. It’s a great way to spot small issues before they become big ones—and gives you a handy checklist for keeping your home safe and market-ready.

Need help setting one up? I’ve got a great network of local inspectors who know second homes and vacation properties inside and out. Just give me a call and I’ll connect you.

Trisha Midgett

Hi, I’m Trisha Midgett, broker-in-charge at Midgett Realty and the lead agent of Trisha Midgett & Team, a top-producing real estate team on the Outer Banks. I’ve been helping buyers, sellers, and investors navigate the Outer Banks real estate market for over 30 years, with a strong focus on Hatteras Island and the surrounding OBX communities. From oceanfront vacation homes to second homes and investment properties, my team and I work across the entire Outer Banks, including Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Corolla, and Ocracoke. In 2024, our team closed 212 transactions, followed by 181 transactions in 2025, reflecting a consistent track record of results in a unique coastal market. I specialize in second homes, vacation properties, short-term rental and investment real estate, and seller strategy, helping clients understand pricing, rental potential, and long-term value. With decades of experience on the Outer Banks, I bring deep local knowledge of neighborhoods, rental dynamics, and market trends to every transaction. Clients often tell me they appreciate my honest advice, fast communication, strong negotiation skills, and laid-back, easy-to-work-with approach. I’m honored to have earned over 450 five-star reviews on Zillow, 220+ Google reviews, 171 five-star Homes.com reviews, 122 five-star FastExpert reviews, and a 5-star rating on Realtor.com, with verified transaction history publicly displayed. I’ve also been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents™ for North Carolina, received HomeLight Top Producer and Top Negotiator Awards, and earned Outer Banks Coastal Life Readers’ Choice Best Real Estate Team honors. Whether you’re buying your first beach cottage, selling a vacation rental, or investing in a second home on Hatteras Island or anywhere on the Outer Banks, my team and I are here to guide you every step of the way and make the process as smooth and successful as possible.
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<-- Client Provided November 20, 2019-->