Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was
disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade
was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn’t look like a
tempting place to eat.
It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression
has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will
likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.
This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well.
A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based
on what he sees “from the curb”. That’s why you’ll hear real estate experts
talk about the importance of “curb appeal”. It’s one of the most important
selling points of a property.
If you plan to put your home on the market, you obviously want your home
to look as attractive as possible from the street. Fortunately, there are many
simple things you can do to improve curb appeal.
For example, you can trim shrubs and hedges, plant flowers, clean the
walkway and driveway, paint the front door and garage door, and clean the
exteriors of the windows. All these projects are relatively easy and
inexpensive. Yet, each can make a dramatic improvement to how your
home looks at first glance.
Don’t be like the great restaurant that’s hidden behind an unkept façade.
Make sure your curb appeal reflects the overall value of your property.
Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price?
Call today
Posts Tagged ‘Real estate experts’
Your Home at a glance
Friday, January 2nd, 2015Successful Home Staging
Monday, November 28th, 2011| On television, online, and in magazines, staging is the word. Real estate experts will tell you that staging your house gives you an edge when trying to sell your house. But what exactly is staging?Staging is organizing and decorating your home so that potential buyers can really see themselves living there. You don’t have to invest major money into a remodel—this is rarely a cost-effective strategy. Staging is all about highlighting your home’s best attributes and minimizing distractions. With so many houses on the market, simple staging strategies can give your home the little boost it needs to attract more buyers.
Lose the clutter. Box up trinkets and small appliances. Pay special attention in the kitchen and bathrooms. Emphasize counter space by getting rid of the coffee maker, toaster, mixer, and the like. In the bathroom, hide shampoo bottles and other personal care items. Clear away personal effects. Potential buyers don’t want to see your Christmas cards on the refrigerator, or your kid’s little league trophy. Same goes for framed family photos, your pet’s belongings, or the stack of books on your nightstand. Buyers won’t be able to picture themselves living in your home if your memories are around every corner. Clean it up. Now is the time to invest in a cleaning service. Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew to give your home a thorough top-to-bottom cleaning. This might include steam cleaning your carpets. Professionals know how to make your house look and smell brand new! More light and warmth. Make your home welcoming and inviting by opening curtains and blinds and making sure all rooms are well lit. You might be tempted to keep the temperature low, especially if you’ve already moved out. Before an open house, crank the thermostat up to a comfortable temperature and light the fireplace, if you have one. Creating light and warmth is especially important in the winter months. Take a critical look at your furniture. Make sure that your furniture is doing a good job of highlighting a room’s size. Oversized or too much furniture can make a living room feel cramped. On the other hand, small pieces in a large room can make the space seem cavernous and hard to work with. Be neutral. You might love the bright tropical colors that you hand-selected for each room in your house, but potential buyers might not feel the same, and could be scared off at the thought of repainting multiple rooms. Consider painting walls a more neutral color to appeal to the masses. Quick fixes. Buyers notice little things like loose trim work, leaky faucets, and crooked cabinets. Invest a small amount of time and money to fix cosmetic issues. Small touches. Set the dining room table. Place fresh flowers on a dresser. Add luxurious throw pillows to beds. For inspiration, think of your favorite hotel, or pick up an interior design magazine. Home staging is an easy and affordable way to give your home a little boost, whether you’re still living in it, or if you’ve already moved out. Ask us for more staging tips. |