As 2013 emerges with positive signs for the real estate industry, homeowners who have been sitting on the sidelines may finally be ready to put their homes on the market.  If you are one of those preparing your sold signMontgomery AL home for sale, there are some tried and true tips to help you gain the most from your efforts. In fact, some of the most important fix-up projects a homeowner can perform may be accomplished with little more than elbow-grease, and they can definitely help to speed up the sale of your property.

A thorough cleaning, a fresh coat of a neutral colored paint, simple staging, and attentive grooming of your yard are the basics of prepping for a successful sale.  First impressions are important, and a neat, clean, and roomy look certainly appeals to potential buyers of your Montgomery AL home.

First steps:

  • Cleaning: When you clean, pay attention to small details. Wash windows, dust blinds, launder curtains, dust/scrub baseboards, scour appliances, and straighten up the contents of your closets.  Clean all door knobs, phones, entertainment equipment (remote controls), switch plates, banisters, and other things that are repeatedly touched. Click here for an organized check list and schedule.
     
  • De-Odorizing: (especially if you have pets).  Vacuum and wash potentially smelly surfaces (don’t forget dog beds and littler boxes!), steam clean your carpets, and rid your home of pet hair as much as possible. Also, be wary of using scented candles or oils to mask unpleasant smells as some people may be bothered by synthetic fragrances. Gizmodo.com offers sage advice for naturally eliminating unwelcome household odors.
     
  • De-cluttering: Get rid of piles of magazines and stacks of mail.  Too many books for the bookcase?  Pack them up and store them.  Organize kitchen and bathroom drawers. Use attractive storage bins to keep things out of sight but still easily accessible.  Remove large or bulky furniture and decorative accessories to  allow for ample walk-through room.  For more on effective use of space, click here.
     
  • De-personalizing: As important as they may be to you, knick-knacks, personal photos, and keepsakes add to an overall cluttered feeling that can make your Montgomery AL home appear smaller and more difficult for potential buyers to envision as their own. Personal collections, be they butterflies, trophies, or decorative masks, need to be kept out of sight until you move.

Next?  Interior and exterior staging.  Coming soon.

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Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

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