Happy Spring! As we welcome the change in seasons, we also welcome the many families and individuals seeking a new place to call home. If you have a home for sale in Fort Payne, Alabama or property on the market in areas nearby now is an excellent time to prepare for all the Summer excitement.

Here at Ole Heritage Realty, we are eager to assist you in the process of preparing and selling your home, in any way that we can. In addition to the many resources we have available on our site, we have created our Spring Cleaning Tips for Sellers.  These tips are sure to attract homebuyers, and will ultimately save you time and money in the long run.

• Curb Appeal | Perhaps the most important part of selling your home, is selling the outside of your home. You may have the most immaculate home on the block, but if there are trash cans overflowing, and tall weeds growing all over the yard, you’ll surely scare your buyers away before they can even make it past the front door. Your property’s outdoor appeal can often dictate a potential home buyers decision. In order to attract buyers, make sure your property is in tip-top shape.

• Mow the lawn and weed whack around the edges
• Pick up any garbage that is laying around
• Wash your trash cans/purchase new ones
• Hang flower baskets from your porch, or plant a few bright plants/flowers
• Replace/update any old outdoor fixtures including your mailbox (a fresh coat of paint can go a long way!)
• Restain the deck (buyers love knowing that they won’t have to deal with any upkeep upon moving in)
• Paint! If you can afford to, repaint your home with fresh, modern colors. This can be a game changer in selling your home

These little touches will attract not only attract homebuyers but locals in the area, that can help to spread the word around. “Hey did you see that beautiful home for sale down the street?”

• Let the Sun Shine | Make sure to clean your windows, inside and out! Brighten up the room with new curtains/blinds.  Extra credit tip: replace heavy drapes with lightweight lightly colored shears, this will help brighten your space even further!

• Sniff Out Stinky Odors | If a buyer is touring your home and they come across a strong odor, they will take off running. Make sure your home is smelling fresh, clean, and comfortable.

• Clean out the Refrigerator, and check for standing water in the drip tray. Expert Tip: Remove any odors in your fridge by scrubbing with baking soda and water solution. To keep your fridge smelling fresh dip a cotton ball in vanilla extract or orange juice and place on the shelf before your guests/buyers arrive.
• Clean the Microwave
• Clean the Dishwasher - Boil Lemon Juice and add it to your dishwasher to get rid of any built up smells.
• Put lemon rinds down the drain for a fresh clean scent.
• Light a candle, or buy an air freshener
  
  

• Wash the walls | If there are any cobwebs in the corners or build up dust from over the years, that is another variable that will send buyers for the hills. Make sure to deep clean your home, and prepare for new residency.  You want to make your home look “new again” or as close to it as possible. Grease, smoke, and dust can adhere to the walls, making even the most immaculate decorations look dismal. Be sure to take care of these things before showing your home to potential buyers.

• Set the Stage | Stage your home appropriately for whatever type of buyer you are trying to appeal to. If you have a family home and are trying to attract a reliable family to live in it set the stage accordingly. Set up a playroom for children with actual toys in it, and beds that are made.  Have a tray of cookies and crackers ready for buyers that are touring your home. Think about your audience and try to appeal to whatever demographic you think you will have the most success with.

Questions or comments? Contact us right away! You can call the office at 256-997-0008. If you’re interested in seeing how others have cleaned and staged their home, take a look at the latest listings. For more information on houses for sale in Fort Payne, Alabama visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter!