First Impressions
By Mark & Annmarie Lenson
People Like Us…….People Trust Us
Put Our Experience On Your Side……..We Sold Almost 800 Homes
One thing is always true - you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That's why the first impression your buyer has of your home is critical to how the whole transaction goes, or even if a transaction will take place.
What is the first impression your buyer has of your home? Is it inviting? In good condition? Clean and attractive? Open, light, bright and uncluttered? Buyers tend to judge the price of a home by its "move-in" quality. Its emotional or intrinsic value. The less they have to do to move in, the better, and the more they are willing to pay. Ka-ching! A home that looks like it will need a lot of work will cause the buyer to make a lower offer or none at all.
What can you do to assure that your home makes the best first impression? Keep your grass cut short and watered, and keep the bushes trimmed. Check for wood rot on your garage door or trim. Fresh paint is cheap and will go a long way. Polish the front door knob, wash the glass/door and sweep the front step area. Clear away any debris or clutter from front door, inside and outside, making the entry way to the home seem more spacious. Move pots or overhanging vines allowing freedom of movement for more than one person.
Switch low-watt bulbs to high-watt bulbs while selling, and turn all lights on for all your showings. (Even for daytime showings.) Wipe clean all kitchen doors and cabinets, then wipe an oil-soaked cloth over real wood to give that freshly polished appearance. Empty kitty litter trays "daily". Buyers find full ashtrays very offensive. Look in your closets and pack anything you won't use between now and moving day. Store those boxes in the garage or attic out of the way.
Rearrange furniture making rooms look more spacious. Create areas that are easy to pass without knocking over things like frames, ornaments, house plants, etc.. Open dark drapes or blinds to lighten and brighten rooms. Replace washers in dripping faucets. Play soft relaxing dinner music to lighten the ambiance so buyers can feel free to speak without being overheard.
Be pleasant but don't volunteer information unless the agent asks for your help. Agents don't like to be followed about while showing your home. Ideally go outside in front of the home during the showing.
Some people are allergic to pets or are frightened of pets. Keep your pets outside or in a sectioned off area.
Keep aromas (A/C fragrances and the such) to a minimum. Those ideas are great to sell books but send not-so- subtle messages to the Buyers as they walk through the house. Besides, some people have allergies.
Keep the kitchen sparkling clean and counters free of medicines, pill bottles, and anything else that small children could accidentally get their hands on while visiting during the time their parents are in your home. (Safety first.)
An agent should be present at all showings. Do not invite complete strangers into your home. After making all the changes above, pretend you are a buyer and you have never seen your home before. Would you buy it? Why not? If you come up with any why nots, take the time to fix them.
If you think you need help presenting your home at it's best, ask a Realtor. Or, there are "staging" services that can assist you. Your Realtor may know of one in your local market or you can go online to the American Society of Interior Designers and get on the message boards. Ask who in your market offers staging services.
A stager will do everything from completely move out your belongings and install new furnishings temporarily, to painting the walls and making cosmetic repairs, to simply rearranging your things in the most attractive manner to facilitate "room flow". You may be so pleased with the new look, you may not want to sell your house after a
