It's time to Spring into Staging action. Spring is right around the corner and that means you can no longer blame the lousy weather for your homes lack of curb appeal! The snow can be great for hiding lackluster landscaping and exterior "issues", but you will soon not have that excuse to fall back on.
It's time to take a little walk out to your curb and look at your house as if you don't live there anymore. What do you see? Do you like what you see? What could be changed so the house is more inviting to buyers? If you're stumped on where to begin try the tips below for some instant curb appeal:
1. Invitations to Buyers. Use "happy" and inviting colors on front door. Choose a contrasting color of house or door. If house is tan and door is red, use yellow decorations. Use yellow marigolds and other fragrant flowers in a nice large container. Do not over-fill space.
2. First Impression=Only Impression! What are your own first impressions when seeing the house? Would you want live here? Would you even come in the driveway or would you keep on driving?
3. Potted Power! NO empty flower pots-especially ones filled with dead flowers! Healthy looking potted plants and flowers are very appealing to buyers.
4. Tidy Time. Get out the rake and clippers...having nice clean lines will make yard appear large and un-cluttered. It can difficult to have a pretty yard this time of year, but put new mulch in beds, this will at least cover-up winters wrath. Landscaping will appear neat. When buyer sees that yard is neat & tidy they are willing to see the inside. They should make the connection that if the yard is tidy than most-likely the interior is neat & tidy too!
5. Spring Clean. No matter what problems a particular house may have, no one wants to have to clean their NEW home. Dig in and clean, hire professional cleaning crew if needed.
6. Create Closet Space. Box and store (preferably off-premises) your winter wardrobe. Why have items in house that seller probably doesn't need for several months? Rent a storage unit and get the extra stuff out of the house! This will create space for the buyer to envision their own items in the home.
7. Donate, Sell, Toss. Have a garage sale, call Centre Peace, rent a dumpster-why schlep these unwanted things to a new home?
8. WOW Factor. Have "WOW" factor when a new buyer steps in the door. This means EVERYTHING! According to NAR buyers make a connection to a house in 15 seconds! Make sure it's a positive one that leaves them saying "Wow"!
9.) Welcome Home. Place a new "Welcome" mat at doorways. This seems so simple, but many seller's fail to understand the significance. The mat is the house's way of saying "Hello, come on in and stay awhile". I typically suggest using one made of natural materials.
10.) Plants=Life. Use live plants and spring flowers for that added touch throughout your home. Not only will they add aesthetic value, they also have a subliminal effect. Think about it, dried dead flowers in pots or the appearance of living plant life. Not a very hard decision, is it?
Remember that first impressions are everything. Wow your buyers right from the start and you'll have an instant sale...just check out this months testimonial!
