Whether we like it or not, first impressions count.
Before buyers have even stepped over the threshold, they have already formed that first impression that sets the tone for the rest of the home viewing. Buyers are greatly influenced by what they see when they first arrive at a property for sale.
If you want your property to sell quickly, or for the maximum amount, you need to spend some time ensuring your property looks its best and capitalise on the fact that first impressions count.
A well-kept garden, pathway and fence and a freshly painted front door are immediately appealing whereas a scruffy outdoor space with a litterbin outside the front door will be a first impression that turns most prospective buyers off.
Garden Impressions
It might be going too far to call in the feng shui consultants, but tidying the garden will encourage buyers to think a home is well cared for. Even if you're not green fingered, a little horticultural handiwork to greate a good first impression is well worth the effort.
- Mow the lawn. It makes the garden look and smell attractive. Feeding the lawn a couple of weeks beforehand will brighten it up and make it look healthy.
- Rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the house, and remove dead plants.
- Store tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials neatly in a storage area.
- Dress up the front yard by placing stone, or pine bark mulch around shrubs, lamp post, and mailbox post.
- Hanging baskets can be a beautiful introduction and needn't be a pain to maintain. Water-retaining crystals will save on the amount of watering you have to do and stop your plants getting thirsty.
- Colour is very important and tubs can provide a quick flourish to your garden. If you don't have the time to fill your own, you can always get some ready made.
- In the winter months a garden can be kept green with large evergreens that will look good all year round.
Outside Impressions
Now that the garden is done, we can work on making the first impression of your house count in your favour.
- Put the satellite dish in a discreet place on the side or back of the house.
- Take the washing off the line on viewing days.
- Clean all windows and mend torn screens.
- Replace broken or missing roof shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and down spouts.
- Replace broken windows and window putty.
- Paint the outside of your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting the entire house, at least consider painting the front door, window frames, and shutters.
- Clean driveway and repair broken steps and walkways.
- Make sure that the garden gate and fencing looks neat and tidy.
- Paint or replace your mailbox and post.
Entryway Impressions
Independent studies found that an upgraded entryway can increase a homes' perceived value by as much as 6 percent. For anyone looking to boost their home's value, the front door sure looks like a good place to start.
Inside Impressions
Never underestimate the first impression appeal of a tidy property. Buyers can quickly be turned off properties simply because they are disorganized.
Remember: When you're selling a home you're also selling a lifestyle. Buyers pay for homes that gives a liveable and inviting impression, even though the furnishings will be moved out with the sellers.
Maintain a comfortable temperature during winter to create a cozy impression.
There is no music that pleases everyone, so play it safe and turn your stereo off.
Organize
- If you've accumulated too much junk over the years, use selling as a good excuse to finally get rid of it.
- Visit model homes to get decorating ideas.
- Rearrange or remove furniture to make your rooms look more spacious.
- Discard worn furniture and move the extras to a storage unit.
- Pack away knick-knacks from end and coffee tables. One or two items per surface is plenty.
- Organize rooms so they each have a specific purpose. This will help make the property more appealing and let buyers see the property at its full potential.
- Buyers will peep in your closets! Remove out-of-season clothing to give a more organised impression. Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway when you move. Organize shelves, straighten shoes. Be sure knobs on drawers are secure.
Clean, Clean, Clean
One of the best ways to add value to a home is also one of the cheapest. A thorough tidy-up and a fresh coat of paint will make it easier for buyers to see what a property has to offer. Look at your home as though you are seeing it for the first time. Is every room neat, spotlessly clean, dusted and uncluttered? If not, get cracking on those first impressions!
- Dust and clean thoroughly from the top to the bottom of the house, from cobwebs on the ceiling to crumbs and stains on carpets and rugs.
- Steam clean carpets and wax floors.
- Replace the carpet if it's worn or old.
- Wash walls, windows and light fixtures.
- Polish all trim and wood surfaces.
- Tighten loose stair railings.
- Nail down creaking boards and stair treads.
- Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors.
- Kitchens and bathrooms should gleam! Clear off counters. Clean all appliances and fixtures. Recaulk tubs and showers. Clean thoroughly and be sure these rooms smell fresh.
- Finish off small DIY jobs such as touching up chipped woodwork and replacing washers on dripping taps.
If you're short on time, call in a professional cleaning service or repairman.
Paint
- Patch cracks, nail holes, and repaint walls in neutral colours
- Most buyers prefer natural, earthy colours rather than bright, bold shades.
- Painting walls a pale plain shade maximizes the feeling of light and space and also enables buyers to imagine their possessions in the property.
- To prevent rooms looking too bland, use strong colours for accent walls or cushions and accessories.
De-personalise
Remove personal items, such as family photographs and children's drawings, which may distract potential buyers. Buyers should be looking at your property and not your possessions so hide these items until the property is sold.
Don't go over-board here! If the pictures are part of an appealing personal display, leave it where it is. But stacks of personal papers and stuff must go!
Lighting
The right lighting can significantly improve the mood of a room.
Choose a variety of different lights to suit the particular space, from downlights and lamps in the living room to task lighting in the kitchen. A room looks much cosier with a few table lamps rather than bright general lighting.
Use bright light bulbs throughout the house. Open the blinds and curtains. Make sure that they are clean and whole.
Scent Impressions
It may have become something of a cliché to bake bread or grind coffee beans just before the arrival of a potential buyer but scent undoubtedly plays an important role in creating a first impression that counts in your favour.
Most buyers simply like the smell of a freshly cleaned and aired room. Open the windows every day to bring fresh air into the house. Choose cleaning products with a 'natural' rather than a harsh chemical smell.
Avoid cooking foods such as fish or curry before a viewing as the smell will linger.
If you have pets, then it's a good idea to take them out during viewings or to ask friends and family if they can look after them temporarily.
Fresh flowers and a bowl of fruit will brighten up a room and provide a pleasant scent. However, make sure you replace them regularly as rotten fruit and wilting flowers are not attractive!
Perfect First Impressions
Now that your first impressions are perfect, and your home clean and inviting, have a cup of coffee an a slice of that cake in the oven!
