YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT TO MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION

When you prepare to place your home on the market for sale, it becomes a product. Just like any product on the shelves at your local store, it has features & benefits, pluses & minuses, and there are other products to compare yours to. To gain an edge in your marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the competition. Sometimes it is difficult to think of your home as a mere product, but it helps to think that way so that you can get top dollar for your property and sell in a reasonable amount of time.

When you sell your home, you are going to have to move. When you move, you are going to have to pack. Most of the principles of staging just mean that you are going to pack up some of your things early. It is a little bit of work, but you are going to have to do it anyway- so let’s do it now so that you can get top dollar for your property.

In 15 Seconds...?YOUR HOME WILL MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION

People make snap decisions in new situations. This is especially true during a showing of a home they are considering. In preparing your home for the market, we need to put this trait of human nature to work for us. Your home needs to make an impression such that the snap judgments of potential buyers are favorable. During the showing, the buyer will make judgments about your home as they view it through the “lens” formed in that first 15 seconds.

Remember, people judge what they cannot see by what they can see. There is so much of what a home has to offer that you cannot see. So we need to make sure that what can be seen is presented perfectly.

Implement the suggestions in this booklet as soon as possible. We only get one shot to make a great first impression and we cannot miss it.

After the initial surge of interest, the only people to look at it will be those buyers new to the marketplace. The initial impression we make with your property is critical.

Use the Checklist

The blanks ? in the checklist are for marking items complete. (You Can Download The Complete Guide Here)

Fix What Needs Fixing

If you have a “honey-do” list or know of items that need to be addressed at your home, do them upfront. Do not let the buyer wonder if you have cared for your home. Fix anything that needs to be addressed upfront and avoid headaches later.

We Will Help You

Our decades of experience in the marketing and sale of homes will allow us to guide you in making low cost, high-value enhancements to the positioning of your property.

Let’s Get Started...

Presence and Stature

THE IMPRESSION YOUR HOME MAKES WHEN YOU DRIVE UP THE DRIVEWAY WILL DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT A BUYER WILL MAKE AN OFFER.

Any agent will tell you that one of the worst things that happen to them in the course of showing property to qualified buyers is to drive up to a home and have them say: “I don’t want to look at this house” - before you have even put the car in park. This impression is nearly impossible to overcome.

In preparing your home for sale, we'll start with what the potential buyer will see first. The exterior.


FRONT YARD

1: ? Shrubs and landscaping should enhance, not hide, the home. Shrubs should be lowered to, at most, the height of the home.

2: ? As a rule of thumb, all tree limbs should be far enough from the ground so you can walk under them.

3: ? Flowers add color and beauty to the home. Flowerbeds should be clean and look good in all seasons. Make sure all beds have a sharp edge and are free of leaves and debris.

4: ? Keep the lawn mowed and neatly edged. A perfectly mowed lawn does wonders for presence. You may have to mow twice per week during the growing season.

5: ? Aerate and seed any bare or thin spots in your lawn. Consider using sod if necessary.

6: ? Arrange for a lawn fertilization company to set up an accelerated program to keep your lawn a deep green color and weed-free.

7: ? Mulch will do wonders to boost the presence and stature of your home at any time of the year. Always make sure all beds are freshly mulched. During the winter, at the very least, front yard beds should be mulched.

8: ? Check your flower beds, lawn areas, and driveway for weeds. It is better to pull them than to use chemicals. Chemicals take a long time to work and the dead and dying weeds look awful as they go from yellow to brown. Only use herbicides to maintain these areas once the main weeding has been complete.

9: ? In the Fall, be sure to rake leaves from your lawn and from planting beds. This may need to be done every couple of days.

10: ? Inspect your property and remove all trash cans, discarded wood scraps, and trash. Re-stack wood piles if necessary and remove all storage containers, children’s toys, and other unnecessary objects.

11: ? Make sure windows are spotless. This includes frames around the windows, the sills, and shutters.

12: ? Consider painting or cleaning any ornamental fences, light posts, and railings.

13: ? Vacuum out and clean the glass on all of the exterior light fixtures.

14: ? If you have a covered entryway, add a bench or attractive set of chairs to help people imagine themselves relaxing here. If these items already exist, make sure they are clean, inviting and someplace a person could actually sit.


OTHER YARD AREAS

1: ? Mow, open up, and clear any pathways around your property. This includes trimming low hanging branches. It is important to remove these items and keep all paths clear. 

2: ? Clean up, rake and check any shoreline or beach areas.?

3: ? Keep the driveway swept. If not paved, rake and add more gravel if needed.

4: ? Clean gutters & wash or paint the trim if needed.?

5: ? Consider exterior low-pressure washing.


FRONT DOOR

1: ? Consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish on the front door. At the very least, clean the door and hardware.

2: ? Make sure your doorbell not only functions but is not cracked or broken.

3: ? Keep your porch swept.

4: ? Have an attractive welcome mat for people to wipe their feet. A second mat inside is important during bad weather.

5: ? Make sure the mailbox is clean, consider the cost of rust-proof paint.

6: ? Verify house numbers are large and visible. We want to make sure buyers and agents are able to find your home.

The following checklist will help you give the inside of your home the greatest presence.

1: ? Get the home aired out. Someone who lives in a place is the last person to notice any peculiar odor that may be obvious to visitors. However, if you do notice any bad odor, search for and destroy its source.

2: ? Wash all the windows inside and out. Clean the window sills and the bottoms of the window jams. Wash the blinds and vacuum the drapes.

3: ? If your carpets look dirty or have not been cleaned in over a year, clean them. Buyers only know what they see... not the way it is going to be. Unless your home is a “fixer”, badly worn or very out of date carpets should be replaced before coming on the market. Offering a buyer a credit to pick their own new carpet or discount off the price is far less effective and usually ends up costing more money and slowing down the selling process. Pick a light-colored short plush or Berber carpet. Realtor beige is a safe color.

4: ? Clean or polish all floors.

5: ? Clean all the closets, cabinets, and drawers. Get rid of things you have not used in the past 5 years and pack everything that you have not used the past year (this will also give you a head start on moving).

6: ? Clear out family photos and all other items that say “You do not live here” to a potential buyer. Fill any holes and touch up paint from taking them down.

7: ? Make sure the closets look like they have enough room to hold additional items. Make sure doors do not stick and nothing will fall out when opened. Get everything off the floor (unless very neatly arranged) and do not have the shelves piled to the ceiling. If necessary, box up off-season clothes (this is another head start on moving). All coats should be facing in the same direction.

8: ? There should not be too much furniture in the rooms. You will be far better off selecting the pieces that look best and putting the others in the garage or in storage.

9: ? Make sure fireplace mantels are not overloaded with items on display. A couple of well-placed items like a vase or small flower arrangement are all that is needed. 

10: ? Make the fireplace a focal point, the star of the room. Arrange seating to face the fireplace. Remove the television, if large and in a formal living room.

11: ? Clear the ashes out of any fireplace if it is not being used.?

12: ? Put maximum safe wattage of light bulbs in all fixtures.

13: ? Clean all wall switches and replace broken plates.

14: ? Make sure that any pull-down staircase is strong enough to be used safely.

15: ? Consider whether the posters currently in your children’s rooms are likely to offend any buyers. If so, store those posters for now.

16: ? Remove all ashtrays. If there is a smoker in the residence, all smoking must be outside (not in the garage) while the property is on the market.

17: ? Invest in some new and luxurious bedding (comforter, sheets, and accent pillows). You can take them when you move, and they will improve the look of the bedrooms while your current house is on the market.

18: ? If your house is the least bit dated, consider changing items that will increase your home’s desirability such as dated wallpaper, light fixtures, etc…

EXTERIOR

1: ? Front and rear yards should be clear of lawn equipment, toys, and debris.

2: ? Schedule a mowing for the day before if possible.

3: ? Garage doors should be closed.

4: ? Cars should be in the garage or parked on the street away from the front of the house, if possible.

5: ? Clear lawn and gardens of leaves and fallen branches...

6: ? Close lid on the grill and open any deck or patio umbrellas, no matter the time of year. Built-in grills need to be spotless.

7: ? Tidy piled up hoses, lawn decorations, etc...

8: ? If you have a pet, please pick up any messes in the yard and remove the pet from the home for your photography appointment.

 
INTERIOR

9: ? Turn on all lights to make the home as bright as possible.

10: ? Open all window cover-ups and shades completely.

11: ? Clear all unnecessary articles from countertops, coffee tables, dressers, and bathrooms.
 
12: ? Remove items that would impact the buyers’ ability to focus on the home such as family photos, collectibles, piles of magazines/books, coats, boots, etc...
 
13: ? Beds should be made and all unnecessary articles should be removed from floors and doorways.

14: ? If you have any photos, reading materials, videos, or other items that would not be appropriate for all age groups to see, please put them away.

15: ? Put pet food dishes and litter boxes out of view of the camera.

Whenever you leave the house in the morning or during the day, please leave it as if you are sure it is going to be shown.

Yes, it is difficult sometimes and it might even mean you have to get up a little earlier in order to take care of these important items, but you never know when the right people are going to look at your home. This way you will always be ready for them!
 
Please try to accommodate all showings. Buyers tend to look at multiple properties during each outing and may find another before you are able to reschedule.

If your electric bill does not go up while your house is on the market- you are doing something wrong! While on the market, your house will have the lights left on in case of a showing and a comfortable temperature should be maintained.

Keep pets out of the way during showings-preferably out of the house. Many people are uncomfortable around animals and may even be allergic to them.

During a showing, leave the premises. Take a short break while your home is being shown. Buyers are intimidated when sellers are present and tend to hurry through the house. Let the buyers be at ease, and let the agents do their jobs.

Agents should leave the home exactly as it was when they arrived. They do not know if you have another showing after they leave. So, if you would like certain lights turned off or blinds closed, please leave a note at your home.

If you need the name of a painter, house cleaner, handyman, roofer, electrician, etc... just give us a call. We would be glad to refer you to vendors we have worked with and from whom we have received excellent service.


Showing Time Check List

1: Open all drapes and window shades.

2: Open all doors between rooms to give an inviting feeling.

3: Turn on all lights including lamps.

4: Turn off the TV.
 
5: Look around for and remove clutter, including newspapers and magazines.

 6: See that the kitchen counters are free of unnecessary items and that any dirty dishes are put away.

 7: Make sure beds are made and clothes are picked up.

8: Remember to take out the trash. If you have pets, get them out of the way and take care of their food and/or litter area.

9: Verify that the bathroom is straightened up: toilet lids down, countertops cleared off, towels hung neatly, etc.

10: If it is fireplace season or you have a gas log, light the fire as buyers arrive.

11: No air fresheners or scented candles. They can aggravate allergies and create an image of covering up or masking issues.

12: Keep your home well light. Buyers will drive by at odd hours and you want your home to stand out. Keep ample lights on-both inside and out-until at least 9:00 p.m. every day.