Bad
First Impressions Will Turn Home Buyers Away
By Rick Hendershot
First impressions are very important when you are selling your
home. In fact, making a good first impression can make all the difference. So be
sure to present your home in its best light right from that very first time your
prospective buyers set eyes on it.
Indeed, this is one of the frustrations all real estate agents have to deal
with. They carefully research the available homes, and then go to the trouble of
making an appointment so the prospective buyer can have a first hand look at the
home. Then when they drive up in front of the home the buyer says, "I don't want
to look at this. I don't like the looks of the front."
It is not easy to overcome these first impressions. Once they are made, you
and your agent will be fighting against them every step of the way.
So the first place to start is with the front of the house. Stand at the
street and look at your house from the perspective of the buyers who are coming
to look at it.
- First, have a close look at the landscaping. If all you can see are
trees and shrubs, you have some yard work to do. The purpose of landscaping is
to enhance the home, not hide it. One of the easiest and least expensive things
you can do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a
height near the bottom of the windows.
- If there is ivy growing on the side of the home, remove it. If there
are trees with low hanging branches, or shrubs that have grown a bit out of
control, be sure to have them trimmed so they look neat and tidy. A simple rule
of thumb for large trees is to trim the limbs high enough so you can walk
comfortably under the tree.
- Now look closely at the flower beds. They should be neat and tidy
with a distinct border between the beds and the yard. Get rid of all the weeds,
and make room for some flowers. Everyone dreams of a "Home & Garden" type home
with neat and tidy flower beds and bright colorful flowers in them. Clean out
those beds of all weeds and overgrowth. Trim the shrubs back to leave some room
for flowers.
- Invest in a few flats of flowers such as petunias or begonias that
will last the entire growing season and will add color and beauty to the front
of your home? Another nice touch is to put some attractive flower pots on the
porch or front step. Fill them with bright red geraniums or some other blooming
plants.
- Next, take a look at the front door and the area around it. These
are the most important points of contact between your home and the prospective
buyers who will be coming to look at it. If you paint nothing else, at least
give the entrance area a fresh coat of paint. If the doorbell is broken, replace
it. Make sure the mail box is clean and not overflowing with junk mail. Keep the
porch swept, and be sure to get an attractive mat to put in front of the door.
Now you've taken the first important steps towards making a good first
impression.
About the Author: Rick Hendershot is a marketing consultant, writer, and
internet publisher. For more Real Estate articles see
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