Just like meeting someone for the first time, you can never make a second first impression. It is human nature to begin formulating ideas and pictures in our head, based on the first sight of something new. Once these ideas and pictures have been formed, it is difficult for most people to change this perception.
Let’s take a look at used car dealerships. We have all driven by a used car lot after a light rain, and see a person washing the dust specs off of the cars. Car dealers know that sparkling and shiny sales. They are the masters of this idea. We all love the look and smell of a new car, and the used car dealers are aware of this. They do all than can, within reason to come as close as possible to the idea of the new car as they can for their used cars.
Home buyers are the same way. Take for example, two homes across the street from each other for sale. One sales for 10% more, and sales 30 days quicker. The homes have the same builder, the lots are the same size, and are the same age. Why is this?
The home that sold for more and in less time made a better first impression. The curb appeal was “more appealing”. The grass was cut, trimm
ed and edged. The shrubs were trimmed, and bright colorful flowers were planted in the flower beds. The paint was fresh. The other house had weeds in the yard, which was about three weeks over due for a mowing. Grass was climbing out over the sidewalk, and the shrubs were scraggly. There was trash in the yard that had blown in from down the street, and the paint was scarcely covering the trim.This is the first impression, before we even get out of the car. Which one would you like to look at? Even if the outside of both homes are well maintained, the house that sparkles on the surface will sale faster than that of it’s shabby neighbor.
Let’s go back to the car lot again. Do you see the two 1999 Ford Mustangs over there? The are both white, and comparable on all the options. One is dirty, the wheels have brake dust all over them, there are French fries in the floor, and a big grease spot in the drivers seat. Upon popping the hood, you can identify any of the engine components because of all the oil and grease covering the engine and it’s compartment. The other has recently been polished, the seats and carpet have been shampooed, and the air freshener gives a new car smell. After looking under the hood, you almost feel as if you could eat off the engine. Which of these cars do you feel would be the more dependable one. The first one, you cannot help but think it was not taken very good care of, and upon purchasing it you may have a maintenance and breakdown nightmare.
A well-polished house appeals more to buyers. They will spend more time in a house that looks ready to move in. They are more comfortable that the current owners have taken care of the home, and there should be very little if any maintenance issues if they decide to purchase the home. In this condition, the house will sale faster, and for a higher price than one that is not polished
If you will be living in the house, during the sales process, you will want to remove any clutter you may have laying around. Prescriptions and personal items should not be lying out on the counter. Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the most important parts you want to make a good impression on perspective buyers. Even if they are sparkling clean, items left our on the counters make the counter space insufficient for these items. We want the buyer to visualize their furniture, pictures, plants, diplomas etc on the walls and in the rooms. The easier it is for them to picture their stuff in your home, the easier they can see their self living in the homes.
For this reason, it is very important for you to de-personalize your home. This is very difficult for some people. They may still have strong emotional ties to the home, and even if you are moving for great reasons, it may be difficult to let go. Pictures, your kids art work, diplomas and all other items that only appeal only to you and your family should be boxed up. This is one area a REALTOR can help. They are used to walking through a home with buyers. They know what they are looking at and for. The REALTOR can be subjective and give you impartial suggestions on items that should stay, or come down.
Don’t take this to extremes. Certain paintings, plants and art work are needed in order to help with the visualization process for the perspective buyer.
If you are moving out of the house before it sales, you may consider leaving some of the key furniture in it. Your REALTOR can help you with these decisions as well.
When you finish all of your work, ask your REALTOR, friends and neighbors to look it over and ask them if they were buying, what would they think about your home. Ask them to be totally honest. When we live in the same place for a while, we have a tendency to overlook items that need attention. This is especially true if you have pets. Ask them to see if they can smell bad odors. This may be difficult for them if they do smell something, but remind them, you have asked them to be totally honest with you.
Lighting is very important, before your house is ready to show, make sure to replace all burned out light bulbs. You want your home to be warm and inviting. Light plays a major roll in this. They don’t want to feel as if they have entered a dark dungeon. You will want to open all blinds and drapes when you leave for the day to allow the natural sunlight help sale your home. The numbers whether on the house, driveway or mailbox, should be easily visible. If they are painted on, see if they need to be touched up. If they are hung, make sure they still look good and are firmly fastened. If your mail box is raggedy, replace it, or see if paint will help.
You will need to treat your home as a product to be marketed, and not necessarily your comfort zone. This will take some work, especially if you have lived here a while, and have accumulated many good things and memories. Trust me, if you want to maximize your sales price, it will be worth it!
