Don't kick buyers to the curb
Gregory J. Alexander
"Buyers decide within the first 10 seconds whether they will consider buying your house or not. If your home is not appealing from the outside, they'll just drive away. That's why curb appeal is so critical," says Gayle Hagan of The Hagan Group of Coldwell Banker. As important as curb appeal is, Hagan stresses that sellers needn't go to unnecessary expenses to position a home to sell. "In the end, the house is what the house is. It's up to your real estate agent to market your home; however, there are some easy, quick ways to improve your chances of selling." Here are some of Hagan's own tips, as well as some tried and true suggestions:
- When homebuyers drive up to your home, you want them to see a well-kept entryway and lawn. "You must cut the grass often," says Hagan, "and sweep the sidewalk every day and spray it down when necessary. You want to show buyers that your home is lovingly and tenderly cared for."
- Hagan also recommends a fresh coat of paint and a seasonal wreath on the front door. "Brightly-colored plants in containers by the door are inviting. If you have a porch or deck, arrange some chairs to create a living space. You want your buyers to envision themselves sitting on the porch, grilling a steak and having a glass of wine."
- Add some annuals in flowerbeds for an instant splash of color.
- A winding garden path or walkway not only invites buyers, it forces them to linger in front of your home.
- Make sure your house numbers are not hidden behind shrubs or trees that need pruning. Removing dead branches from a tree also makes the yard brighter.
- If you have vinyl siding, Hagan recommends power-washing it to spruce it up. Add fresh paint to the trim, too.
- Keeping in mind that homebuyers may look at many homes in one day, you need something to make your home stand out. "Many times, when real estate agents call a potential buyer who has visited, they cannot remember which house was yours," Hagan says. "Think of way to make your house memorable—whether it's a brightly colored door or a seasonal flag hanging outside." Hagan also helps homes make statements via her "For Sale" signs, which feature whimsical cartoons on them that buyers are sure to remember.
- As for exterior windows, Hagan says that unless they are in bad shape or have moisture issues, sellers needn't replace them.
- Hagan says that curb appeal extends inside, too. "Declutter a home as much as possible so that buyers can envision their things in your home," says Hagan, who advises taking down personal mementos and family photos.
- She adds that when a Baby Boomer is trying to sell their home to younger buyers, making the home fresh and new is critical. "Baby Boomers loved to decorate with wallpaper, while many younger buyers are turned off by it," she says, "and younger buyers are too busy to spend every weekend scraping off old wallpaper, so take it down if possible, before you list."
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