When trying to sell a home in a tight real estate market, it is important to take the advice of professionals and add to the curb appeal of your home. First impressions are often the difference between selling your home and congratulating a neighbor who got the offer. The good news is that there are a number of easy, fast and relatively inexpensive ways to have a dramatic effect.
In a market where buyers have many homes to choose from, curb appeal is even more important. “I have seen buyers refuse to look at a particular home, despite it being a perfect match for their wish list in every other way,” says Melanie LaFluer-Geier of 10/12 Properties. “First impressions are everything.”
Have you ever been on a blind date? The smile that he or she flashed when you were introduced goes a long way in deciding if there will be a second date. The same is true when buyers sift through the sometimes mind-numbing options available to them on the market. A freshly painted entryway or refreshed garden can help someone re-think a decision to consider only new construction. If the home has an aura of being well maintained, it will make it past others with unfinished details or small problems that have been ignored.
Curb appeal
Often, we stop seeing our home as it appears to others. This is true of everything from the clutter on bookcases to the quirky way you have to turn the doorknob to open a door. The idiosyncrasies we’ve come to accept can be deal-breakers to potential buyers. Nowhere is this more true than the view from the curb of your street. A leaning mailbox and old lamps by the front door can give the wrong impression, even if you have pressure washed the porch. Ask a trusted friend or two what advice they might offer. Call in the professionals. Your real estate professional, designer and landscaper might provide ideas that push your home to the front of the line. Consultations with these experts are often available at no charge, and suggested upgrades can pay for themselves if they bring you a quick offer.
Trimming the bushes and weeding the garden are obvious first steps, but don’t discount the value of adding a container garden to the porch or investing in new light fixtures. “Some lighting styles will date a home to a certain period. Adding what is new and now can have a big impact, particularly on the porch and in the entry foyer,” says Paul Gement of Pine Grove Lighting and Electrical Supply. For executive level homes, the changes might include adding a water feature or resurfacing the driveway. Step back and consider what would influence you as a buyer, and be open minded about what is feasible. You might even fall back in love with your house, or at least take some of the fresh, new ideas with you on the search for your new home.
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