{"id":19619,"date":"2015-02-05T15:00:25","date_gmt":"2015-02-05T20:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/?p=19619"},"modified":"2015-03-06T16:36:47","modified_gmt":"2015-03-06T21:36:47","slug":"preparing-your-huntsville-home-for-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/2015\/02\/05\/preparing-your-huntsville-home-for-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing your Huntsville home for sale"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Preparing your\u00a0Huntsville home for sale<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

So you are considering listing your\u00a0home for sale in the Huntsville<\/strong>\u00a0area.\u00a0 Spring is upon us and now is the perfect time.\u00a0 IF you are prepared.\u00a0 Preparation is key.<\/p>\n

While the\u00a0Huntsville real estate market<\/a>\u00a0has seen major improvements over the past 2 years, we still have a long way to go.\u00a0 There are VERY FEW seller markets in the North Alabama real estate<\/strong> market.\u00a0 VERY FEW.\u00a0 If your home is located in one of those markets, you are lucky!\u00a0 If not, keep reading \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

We always advise our sellers to have their homes in \u201cShowroom condition\u201d. Showroom condition means: Price and best in show.\u00a0 Buyers demand both right now, because they can. To get an idea of what buyers expectations are, stop by Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn and pick up their latest catalog.\u00a0 Take a peak at Houzz. All of those perfect vignettes that they display are what buyers want. Neutral colors, clean and crisp.\u00a0 We realize achieving a Pottery Barn look is not always possible, but you\u2019ll understand what buyers envision.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>

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Remember this very important bit of information: You have ONE shot.\u00a0 Have your home showroom ready.\u00a0 I typically advise against listing until the home is as close to perfection as we can possibly get it.\u00a0 Buyers (and agents) won\u2019t waste their time coming back through after you\u2019ve removed the wallpaper and toned down those paint colors.\u00a0 I promise you.\u00a0 You get one shot 9 out of 10 times.\u00a0 Even if your home is priced to sell with adjustments made for needed improvements, buyers still try to deduct for needed improvements.\u00a0 It\u2019s an uphill battle. If it is financially possible, I strongly recommend doing all that you can to get your home showroom ready.\u00a0 You will win in the end.<\/p>\n

Think like a buyer.\u00a0 Try to envision your home through buyers eyes. It can be so difficult to remove ourselves personally when selling.\u00a0 Now is the time to do that, however.\u00a0 The easier you make it for buyers to visualize living in your home, the sooner you will reach your goal of selling.\u00a0 Buyers are very particular now, due to the past down market.\u00a0 They still look for any excuse to make a lower than market value offer. \u00a0 ANY reason.\u00a0 We all know a gallon of paint only costs $30.\u00a0 A buyer will deduct thousands!\u00a0 You have approximately 10 seconds to make a great first impression.<\/p>\n

1.Begin at the curb and work your way around the entire home.\u00a0 The lawn needs to be in good condition.\u00a0 Pull weeds. Plant flowers. Trim shrubbery. We live in the south and are blessed with the options of having year round blooms.\u00a0 It makes a difference! Pressure wash your drive, sidewalks, porches and shutters.\u00a0 May as well hit the gutters while you are at it.\u00a0 Wipe down all the cob webs from the front door area and light fixtures.\u00a0 Give your front door a fresh coat of paint or varnish.\u00a0 If the shutters need a touch up, hit those too. Exterior lighting is inexpensive.\u00a0 Update it if needed. \u00a0 The front porch is so often ignored and so often where buyers begin making negative comments.\u00a0 We are busy unlocking the door and buyers patiently wait, all the while scoping it out.\u00a0 Make it a pleasant experience!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>

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Buyers will be suspicious that you are hiding something.<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>
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2. Odors.\u00a0 This is one of the biggest turnoffs.\u00a0 Every time.\u00a0 If you have pets, keep their litter boxes clean and bedding out of site.\u00a0 If you are a smoker, please stop smoking in your home, now.\u00a0 It is rare that a non-smoker will purchase a smokers home if they can smell it.\u00a0 Air it out!\u00a0 You know those fabulous little plug in air fresheners?\u00a0 EEEWWW.\u00a0 Honestly, most of them stink.\u00a0 Buyers will be suspicious that you are hiding something.\u00a0 The last thing a buyer wants to smell is a lilac garden in the home.\u00a0 Trust me on that one.\u00a0 Buyers want to experience clean, homey smells.\u00a0 Cookies, dinner, coffee, etc.<\/p>\n

3. Declutter.\u00a0 Less is more.\u00a0 An appearance of abundant storage space can reap huge financial rewards for you.\u00a0 Buyers need space to put their \u201cstuff\u201d.\u00a0 Pack up the things you aren\u2019t using.\u00a0 Cabinets, (bath and kitchen) the pantry and closets.\u00a0 The roomier the feel, the better.\u00a0 And buyers DO open cabinets and closets.\u00a0 Buyers and I both feel like a home has been kept up and systems maintained by the owners if everything is organized and clean.\u00a0 Men\u2026same goes for you in the garage!!!<\/p>\n

4. Depersonalize.\u00a0 Remember that less is more rule?\u00a0 Same applies.\u00a0 Pack up your chicken collection, remove most of your personal photos.\u00a0 (Most agents say pack them all up\u2026I disagree.\u00a0 Just make sure the remaining family photos are G rated \ud83d\ude42 )<\/p>\n

5. Fill nail holes and paint.\u00a0 Neutral always wins.\u00a0 If your home hasn\u2019t been painted in the last few years, you more than likely are going to need to paint.\u00a0 Remember that Pottery Barn catalog? Neutral.\u00a0 We have a list of winning colors that we\u2019re happy to share!\u00a0 Since we ARE in the south and HUGE SEC fans, I\u2019ve seen many, many SEC fan rooms.\u00a0 Pack up your team memorabilia and paint that Alabama red or Auburn orange room a neutral color.\u00a0 Wallpaper?\u00a0 Be prepared to take a financial hit or remove it now.\u00a0 You can count on a buyer deducting a few thousand IF a buyer decide it\u2019s worth tackling.<\/p>\n

6. Oversized furniture can make a rooms appearance feel smaller than it actually is.\u00a0 We may recommend that you store a few items.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>

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\u00a0Tile, carpet and hardwoods all need to be clean<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>
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7. Floors and windows\u2026clean, clean and clean!\u00a0 Tile, carpet and hardwoods all need to be clean.\u00a0 This includes grout.\u00a0 Toss out old rugs.\u00a0 You can buy inexpensive rugs to help stage the home.<\/p>\n

8. Kitchens need to be free of clutter on the counters.\u00a0 Buyers envision themselves preparing meals\u2026allow them to feel that it will be an enjoyable experience.\u00a0 One or 2 small appliances MAX out on the counters.\u00a0 This includes your can opener.\u00a0 Scrub the oven.\u00a0 Sparkle, sparkle is the rule.<\/p>\n

9. Master suite.\u00a0 Make it feel like a sanctuary.\u00a0 New bedding is an inexpensive way to give a room a facelift and give the appearance of relaxation.\u00a0 Remember the neutral rule. Tuesday Morning, Homegoods and TJ Maxx typically have very affordable bedding sets.\u00a0 Grab some fresh white towels for the bath while you are there. \u00a0 Create a spa like environment in the bath.\u00a0 Flip through those catalogs and you\u2019ll get an idea of what buyers dream of.<\/p>\n

10. Time for the honey do list!\u00a0 All those little things you\u2019ve had on your to do list but never got around to. Remember those pesky buyers that are dying to lowball your lovely home?\u00a0 Set aside a weekend to fix doorknobs, leaky faucets, change HVAC filters, light bulbs, etc.<\/p>\n

Selling doesn\u2019t have to be stress filled.\u00a0 By prepping in advance you will set yourself up for a less stressful sale and success.\u00a0 Your days on market should reduce and your offers should be better.\u00a0 (Remember\u2026we still have buyers that just like to try to wheel and deal.\u00a0 Don\u2019t take it personally\u2026we\u2019ll fight for every last nickel on your behalf).<\/p>\n

Most importantly, you are in good hands.\u00a0 We promise to make this as pain free as possible for you.\u00a0 We have a list of handymen, painters and have an awesome stager (that just happens to double as our in house photographer).\u00a0 Noah can run through your home in 30 minutes\u2026.it will look like a million bucks.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help. And @Homes Realty Group<\/strong> offers the most beautiful\u00a0real estate marketing in Huntsville<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0See for yourself!<\/p>\n

Remember.\u00a0 Think like a buyer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Restoration Hardware & Pottery Barn catalogs<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Preparing your\u00a0Huntsville home for sale. So you are considering listing your\u00a0home for sale in the Huntsville\u00a0area.\u00a0 Spring is upon us and now is the perfect time.\u00a0 IF you are prepared.\u00a0 Preparation is key. While the\u00a0Huntsville real estate market\u00a0has seen major improvements over the past 2 years, we still have a long way to go.\u00a0 There [...]","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":19687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[100,66,126,37],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19619"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19619"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19619\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athomeshuntsville.com\/realestate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}