After an excruciatingly long winter, I hereby declare… gratefully and optimistically… that spring is finally here! The birds are chirping, the trees are budding and the baseball season has begun.
In the real estate world, this means the time has come to kick curb appeal up a notch.
In a buyer’s mind, the home’s exterior reflects the condition of the interior. If that first impression doesn’t “wow” the buyer, they may assume the interior is not worth exploring. Worse, if it indicates an overwhelming amount of yard work that will need to be done upon moving in, it’s likely they will move on to the next home on their list. Many fabulous homes have been passed by because a potential buyer has found the initial view unsatisfactory.
Much is made of staging the interior, with good reason, but you have to get buyers in the door before they can fall in love with the house. Tackle the following jobs and increase your showings:
• Clean up all branches, sticks, leaves, and animal droppings from lawn
• Prune bushes
• Deadhead perennials and pull weeds
• Add fresh mulch to beds
• Over-seed bare patches in lawn
• Sweep porch and walkways
• Take a good look at the front door, door knobs, and mailbox—paint or replace if they are showing signs of wear
• Wash windows and screens; tighten or replace screening if necessary
• Make sure address numbers are highly visible from street
• Plant colorful flowers in beds and add planters to front porch (pansies are cold-tolerant and available in stores right now!)
• Power wash siding, garage door and all concrete surfaces to remove winter grime
• Seal your driveway with a fresh coat of asphalt
• If the house boasts a deck or patio, show it off! Clean outdoor furniture thoroughly and create seating and dining areas. Add planters. Don’t overlook this important bonus living space!
• Likewise with porches, balconies and courtyards—invite visitors to relax and sit a spell with a sturdy chair or two and perhaps a small table
• Speaking of decks, stain and seal if needed
• Bite the bullet and have the exterior painted if it shows any signs of fading or peeling—it will be money well-spent
So, get out your rakes and pruning shears and get busy. Invest some money at a home improvement store. Consult with a professional on jobs that are beyond your expertise or comfort level. Be proactive to get more showings. Get dirty!
And please, please…change your MLS and marketing photos to reflect the change of seasons. In addition to being a dead giveaway of the listing’s time on the market, winter photos are usually far from flattering. Besides, no one wants to be reminded of the winter we’ve just endured!
Remember, the outside is the first and last thing the buyer sees. Make it inviting!
Go Tigers!
________________________________________________________Written by Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging, (586) 212-8400
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Gail Alexander 04.22.08 at 11:49 am
How very important all of these things are. A great reminder to all sellers. I would add: Get windows washed by a Professional window washing company so they are not streaked and sellers stay safe. The cost is minimal in comparison. Also make sure garbage cans, mower, outdoor toys, etc. are stored out of sight.
One more piece of advice: Drive by your own house (better yet have a friend who will be honest with you) with a buyer’s eye and answer the following question, “Would I want to take the time to look inside?”
With all the houses for sale in today’s market, you MUST make sure yours stands out above the rest!
Maureen Francis 04.22.08 at 1:08 pm
Marianne,
I had trouble with your photos. I will try again today.
Nickie 04.22.08 at 8:47 pm
Nice post Marianne!
If you can’t get buyers out of the car, it doesn’t matter much what the inside looks like.