5 Awesome Ways to Make a Great First Impression on Home Buyers
Studies have shown that people make up their minds about other people within the first few seconds of meeting them.
It should then be very clear to homeowners that the way they present their houses will leave a longing impression with potential buyers.
More and more buyers are making hastier decisions rather than spending time and researching the decision they want to make and this is why positive first impressions are now more powerful than ever.
So, unless you want your potential buyers to hop into their cars and scurry away, here are a few tips you might want to follow:
#1 - Focus on curb appeal
You wouldn't wear an old shirt with a grease stain on your first date - you would want to look your absolute best.
Why would you approach the selling process any differently?
Your home's first impression always starts with the exterior as this is the first side of the house that people will see. If the first thing people are going to see is peeling paint and broken windows, chances are good that they won't be quite as keen on buying it.
Remove debris from the garden and flowerbeds, fix the windows or gutters that are falling apart, replace the mailbox or house number if it is starting to rust, and give the front door a fresh coat of paint.
And a few flowers in the front yard won't hurt either!
#2 - 'Break up' with your old house
If you have decided to sell your house, it shows that you have decided to start fresh in a new place.
You can't have the baggage of a previous property hanging over your shoulder and you definitely can't still cling onto the home when buyers have a look at it.
In other words, you need to distance yourself from your property before you can sell it.
Once you put your home on the market, you need to let a professional come in and take over the marketing.
After all, emotional attachment can make this process longer and harder than necessary.
#3 - Ditch as much of your stuff as possible
Decluttering is now your first priority after taking care of the outside.
People want to see themselves living there and they won't be able to do that with your knickknacks in the way. Get rid of any personal mail, kids' drawings, and photos.
All personal signs of you should be gone, but you should also find a way to avoid making the home look 'sterile' and empty.
#4 - Plan a small makeover that packs a punch
You might not be able to do major renovations before moving, but there are a few things that you can do to spruce up the place a bit.
If you focus your attention on the kitchen, the bathroom, and the flooring, it can already make a huge difference.
Homeowners can easily change countertops, but you might want to re-stain the floors and repaint the walls.
And, if you are keeping the carpets, get a professional carpet cleaner to come out and deep clean those bad boys properly.
#5 - Fix all the broken stuff
This cannot be emphasized enough and it will really only take up a few hours of your time (if even!!): you might have gotten used to the lightbulb in the living room not working, but buyers will definitely pick up on that!
Check for leaks around the house - it suggests lousy maintenance elsewhere, even though it might not seem like such a big deal in itself.
Repair anything that squeaks or jiggles like door handles. Caulk around tubs and sinks and replace all the light bulbs that don't work.
By sticking to this list, your potential home buyers will want to stay there at first sight!