Helping Your House Make its Best First Impression
Home buyers today look at hundreds of home online before they decide which ones to see in person. If they like what they see online they must also like what they see when they drive up and if they come inside you want them to feel at home. Here are some suggestions that may help you get the best value and the quickest sale for your home.
Designer
Most of us think of a designer when we are building a new home, however, hiring a designer may be the first step you want to take when you decide to sell. A good designer can look at your home and give suggestions within your budget to maximize your selling power. I have used Tina Foss. She looked at the color of the shingles and siding to choose a color for the front door that was appealing and in style. She takes into account the direction the windows in a room face, existing flooring, size and function of rooms when deciding colors. Sometimes the slightest change makes a huge impact.
Staging
The first moment inside your home a buyer makes a judgement. The rest of the tour will be to support that first impression. The main point of staging is to make your home feel welcoming and appealing to potential buyers. A stager will help you eliminate distractors in your home. Distractors are that wall of bowling trophies you are so proud of, your collection of 2,500 salt and pepper sets or the unique color you painted the bath. Make your home memorable for the right reasons.
Photos
Your online photos are giving the first impression of your home so be sure they highlight some of the reasons you love your home. Whether you hire or do the photos yourself, there are some things that are not as obvious as one would think. Be sure toilet seats are down, chairs are pushed in, counters are clear, bedding is straight. Look for shoes, boxes or purses on the floor. It is a good idea to clear out a room then take a laundry basket and clear it some more. Then move it to storage. Stand outside the room you are photographing to maximize the space but be sure not to get the door frames in the picture.
Curb Appeal
Your online pictures get someone to your home and the outside appearance decides if they come in or drive on by. Fresh flowers, a bench and a clean new mat are all welcoming. Show pride of ownership with a freshly sealed driveway, updated exterior lights and doorbell.
Cost
A seller must weigh the cost of preparing a home for sale vs. dropping the price till it sells. Ask for costs upfront. Minimal advice from a designer, a stager who gives you suggestions on how to rearrange and use what you have and a photographer will most likely cost far less than the average price drop of $10,000.
Home buyers today look at hundreds of home online before they decide which ones to see in person. If they like what they see online they must also like what they see when they drive up and if they come inside you want them to feel at home. Here are some suggestions that may help you get the best value and the quickest sale for your home.
Designer
Most of us think of a designer when we are building a new home, however, hiring a designer may be the first step you want to take when you decide to sell. A good designer can look at your home and give suggestions within your budget to maximize your selling power. I have used Tina Foss. She looked at the color of the shingles and siding to choose a color for the front door that was appealing and in style. She takes into account the direction the windows in a room face, existing flooring, size and function of rooms when deciding colors. Sometimes the slightest change makes a huge impact.
Staging
The first moment inside your home a buyer makes a judgement. The rest of the tour will be to support that first impression. The main point of staging is to make your home feel welcoming and appealing to potential buyers. A stager will help you eliminate distractors in your home. Distractors are that wall of bowling trophies you are so proud of, your collection of 2,500 salt and pepper sets or the unique color you painted the bath. Make your home memorable for the right reasons.
Photos
Your online photos are giving the first impression of your home so be sure they highlight some of the reasons you love your home. Whether you hire or do the photos yourself, there are some things that are not as obvious as one would think. Be sure toilet seats are down, chairs are pushed in, counters are clear, bedding is straight. Look for shoes, boxes or purses on the floor. It is a good idea to clear out a room then take a laundry basket and clear it some more. Then move it to storage. Stand outside the room you are photographing to maximize the space but be sure not to get the door frames in the picture.
Curb Appeal
Your online pictures get someone to your home and the outside appearance decides if they come in or drive on by. Fresh flowers, a bench and a clean new mat are all welcoming. Show pride of ownership with a freshly sealed driveway, updated exterior lights and doorbell.
Cost
A seller must weigh the cost of preparing a home for sale vs. dropping the price till it sells. Ask for costs upfront. Minimal advice from a designer, a stager who gives you suggestions on how to rearrange and use what you have and a photographer will most likely cost far less than the average price drop of $10,000.