Two of my recent listings were under-contract the First week to the First person who saw the home. Why? Because my clients listened to what I told them to do and priced the home according to our market research. Of course, my marketing is exceptional, but it really comes down to the presentation your home makes when you first see it at the curb. Here are some easy updates that don’t cost too much Cash, but do need elbow grease!
Look at the outside of the home. This is the first impression of a future homeowner. We are going for ”WOW.”
In the winter time, rake all the leaves from the trees. Make sure to weed the flower beds , trim dead folliage, and put down new mulch. If you have the cash, add some pansies in the flower beds for a pop of color. Keep in mind, I sell homes in Texas, so we rarely get snow. But if you do, you must shovel the sidewalk and lead-walks to your home. If your driveway is in front you will need to shovel it too.
In the summer time, make sure to cut grass weekly, water the yard and bushes/flowers as needed. Shape the bushes and trees so they always look their best. These will grow faster than you think! You MUST have flowers in the summer. Don’t skimp on this one.
Year round, keep all garden tools including the water hose put up either in a holder or in the garage or storage shed. You are creating a scene of you home. People don’t want to think about the maintenance work that comes along with it.
If you have a front entry garage you must make sure it is clean. No concrete stains of oil, chalk drawings by the kids, etc. Also remove any cars parked in front of your home or in the driveway for scheduled showings.
Look at your gutters. Are they clean? Do you have those solar path lights? Remove them immediately. They look like runway lights for airplanes and detract from you house. We want to draw the eye up to the home, not down on the ground. A buyer may question the lead walk with these type of lights (Am I or my visitors going to trip when they come to see me?).
Your front porch, no matter how small or large must have a welcome mat. Don’t get too personal here. Remember you want people to think of this home as theirs. Avoid collegiate references, names, and initial mats. Remember the presentation of your home is different from how you live in a home. Think model home that you see in new communities. If your porch is large enough this can be a great place to set a scene. Add a small table with 2 chairs to show that the neighborhood is friendly. If you don’t have room for a table and chairs, add a pot with flowers and ivy (in the summer) or pansies (in the winter). Do not block the pathway to the door, it is better to have no pot if it is going to make your porch seem small. Remember to keep this swept from leaves, dirt, garden trimmings, etc year round.
Get a start on your packing for your next home and put up any empty pots, garden flags (unless you have the american flag displayed), and garden art (frogs, welcome plaques, wreaths on the front door, etc). No kids toys should be at the front of the home(this includes the porch) with the exception of a built-in basketball goal. Make sure to store all sporting equipment, balls, walkers, kid cars, wagons, etc in the garage or better yet pack up most of it and leave just one or two items for the kiddos to play. When you unpack at your new home it will feel like Christmas for the kids. This can help with the transition to the new home.
Now look at your front door and the area around it. How is the paint? Is the stain of the door faded? Either re-stain it or paint it black. Black doors work with almost any brick color. Look at the hardware on the door. Is it brass? Is it tarnished? Clean it up or if you cannot get it to shine, buy new hardware at Lowes or Home Depot. I have coupons I can send you for the hardware store. Just email me.
We will continue this post next week with a look at the inside of your home.
Article by NewHomeGal, Teresa Robinson, Owner/Agent
Contact Teresa at 972.335.0571 or Teresa@NorthTexasHomeFinders.com Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information. For community-specific information, also visit www.BuyProsper.com for added content. Interested in a free market snapshot of your community? Visit www.dfwhomeexperts.com and sign up today!
