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"You never get a second chance to make a first
impression"
The key to a quick sale, whether you sell the home
by yourself or if you list it with a real estate agent, is curb appeal.
Curb appeal is simply how the home appears from the street. It
is generally the primary influence which compels a potential buyer to want
to view the inside of the home. It is the first impression that
your home makes upon a buyer--an impression that is often difficult to
change once it is made.
As you sell your home, it is essential that your
home projects itself as a place that the buyer can imagine owning.
The first reaction a buyer should have of your home is one that implies, "I
could live here...I can see myself inviting my friends over for a Sunday
afternoon BBQ." Though there are some things that you cannot
fix about a property (how a home sits on the lot, where the property is
located, etc.), a home owner can do a lot with the landscaping and the
home's appearance (without breaking the bank). Be sure to check out
the section Outside Preparations.
Curb appeal is not limited to the exterior of the
home. Your home should compel your buyer from the minute he or she
drives up to the home and to the last second he or she walks out the
front door. Each room should be free of your personal effects so
that the buyer will have an easier time imagining himself or herself in
your house. Minimizing photographs, porcelain figurines, and other
knick-knacks will make a room appear cleaner, more spacious and more
appealing. Clutter only draws attention away from your home.
For more tips, visit the section on Inside
Preparations.
Always keep curb appeal in the back of your mind as
you go through the home selling process. You will have to develop
a critical eye to determine your home's curb appeal. The
difficulty, however, is that we rarely notice our home. We miss
the leaves piling up in the yard or the weeds growing in the flower bed.
Because we look at these objects every day, we often overlook the small
details, the minor issues, and the insignificant deficiencies throughout
the home. We overlook the pound of dust that rests on top
of the ceiling fan blades or the hall closet that has become the "junk
closet". As you walk through your home, take a pad of Post-It
notes with you. Each time you come across an area that needs
attention, make yourself a note and post it on the item. Some
rooms may look like a college bulletin board but you will know exactly
what needs to be done there.
One suggestion many real estate agents will make is
to invite your family or friends over to give you their opinion of your
home. The key here is not to tell you how tacky your decor is but
to give you constructive criticism about your home's curb appeal.
They should be able to answer the following questions: What is
their first impression of your home from the street? What feature
stands out the most? Is this feature a positive selling point or
is it a negative turn-off? What improvements can you do to improve
your home's curb appeal? Another tactic to improve
your home's curb appeal is to visit open houses in your neighborhood.
Take notes about what catches your attention and what distracts your
focus. Look at how the home owner has tried to increase his home's
curb appeal both inside and out? Did he follow the
steps outlined in the Inside Preparations and
Outside Preparations sections?
While trying to maximize a home's curb appeal, try to be objective about
your home--both inside and out. The more honest you
are about its appearance, you will be more likely to correct
any potential buyer turn-offs. Call your friends over to offer
constructive criticism or visit other homes in the area for additional
tips and pointers. Spend the extra time and energy to enhance the
way your home looks. Most importantly, maintain your home's curb
appeal throughout the home selling process. Failure to do so may result in lower offers or
the home staying on the market for a longer time.
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