The First Impression

You have probably heard how important first impressions can be. But did you know that within 15 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion of your property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale. The following is an outline of those elements which create the overall first impression, including suggestions on how to make sure the buyer reacts as favorable as possible.

The Home Front

Your property's first appearance isn't just its facade. For this reason, you must make sure each component of the visual landscape looks its best. The real estate industry refers to this as "curb appeal."

Street - Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris. If necessary, give it a fresh sweep.
Sidewalk - Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between cracks.
Mailbox/Light Fixtures - A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer kow you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusted and worn out, new ones will cast a positive light on your property.
Paint - A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your property. If you do not want to spend the money to paint the the entire house, consider just the shutters or the front of the house.
Siding - If you have vinyl or aluminum siding, have a cleaning service wash or repaint it using a product designed for these materials.
Windows - Attractive windows can help increase the appeal of your property.
Roof - The roof may be the single most important aspect of your home front. A well-maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property
Gutters/Downspouts - Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look shipshape. Consider replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair.
Doorway - The doorway is the focal point of the house. You may want to repaint the door, apply new door hardware or replace the old house numbers with shiny new ones.

Appeal to the Senses

There are many ways to create a more exciting and saleable interior, at surprisingly little cost. We will briefly discuss the sensory selling tools that can have enormous impact, then provide you with suggestions on how to improve each room.

Light - It is proven that people react more favorably to property shown under bright light than dark.
Color - A fundamental rule when selling your house is to keep colors neutral and light.
Sound - The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your home is being shown to a prospective buyer.
Smell - Smell has more impact than you might expect. It can work for or against you.

Packing the Interior

When considering a home to purchase, the buyer often visualizes what it would be like living there. If the home is dominated by strong personal statements, buyers are less likely to feel comfortable, and therefore less able to visualize the property as their own.

Entry - The entry is where the first impression of the interior is created. Here you have the opportunity to make a big statement in a small area. First, make sure the area is well lit. Other suggestions are: repaint the entry using light, neutral colors and replace plastic switch plate covers with brass or porcelain.
Kitchen - The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. It can have a major impact on the value of your property. If your kitchen needs some real help, you may want to make extensive improvements.
Bathroom - The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today's home. It is a room that has moved from the utilitarian to the exciting. There are many ways you can improve deficiencies and create interest through various levels of enhancement. Try placing a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity or add color and richness with new towels and a shower curtain.
Living Room - The living room is a major selling point of a house. Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms to make the right statements to their friends and relatives.
Bedrooms - The bedrooms can do as much to sell your house as they can to turn off a buyer. Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless. Rugs should be cleaned, windows washed and fresh smells from flowers or lemon oil should be in the air.

The Extra Details

Basement/Attic - The look of the basement and/or attic can say more about the condition of your house than you think. A buyer who sees a meticulously clean and organized basement and/or attic will have much more confidence in your property than if it were in a state of disarray.
Garage - A well-organized garage says a lot for your house. Keep the garage neat and organized. Clean up any oil stains from your car. Hold a garage sale to dispose of unused items that create clutter and may distract a potential buyer.

The End Result

By showing attention to detail and understanding the buyer's need to visualize your house against a neutral backdrop, you can dramatically increase the sale ability of your property.

Your PhiladelphiaHomesOnline.com team member will be happy to assist you with recommendations to help your house sell for the highest price obtainable in the shortest period of time. Contact us for more details or a full color brochure of the "Home Enhancement Guide."