Curb Appeal
First Impressions Count
Despite the wise saying about not judging a book by it’s cover, when it comes to selling real estate,
it’s often love at first sight ... or not.
The truth is, market research shows it is usually the packaging that initially attracts the buyer’s
eye. Book publishers select cover designs specifically to survive “the glance test.” Likewise there
have been many products that have failed to sell because of poor packaging, proving it sometimes
is what’s on the outside that counts.
Curb appeal is not about dressing up a lousy property but rather about not wanting buyers to miss
out on a good story because of an ugly cover.
In fact, if your home doesn’t have curb appeal, prospective buyers may never even get out of their
car. Realtors call this the “drive by.” With competition among sellers fierce, you can’t afford to
lose a single prospective buyer’s attention.
First impressions are critical. When the exterior of the house has chipped paint, dirty windows and
screens, a damaged garage door, dirty sidewalks, broken fences, old appliances or cars sitting in
the driveway, the buyer may get the impression the owner doesn’t care about their home’s condition
and isn’t concerned about how the buyer will perceive the disrepair. The exterior condition
must be appealing enough to get buyers to want to see the inside — one step closer to a sale..
Creating An Appealing Home
Curb appeal basics include pressure washing or painting the home’s exterior; raking the leaves;
pruning and trimming overgrown trees and bushes; washing the windows; removing toys, sheds,
broken furniture, equipment or old lumber from the yard; and keeping the lawn edged, cut
and watered.
Inspect the roof to make sure it is in good condition. If buyers notice loose, damaged or missing
shingles, or poorly maintained gutters, they’ll assume that lack of care in maintenance is carried
throughout the whole house.
Check the front door for its condition. Consider placing a pot of blooming flowers at your entry
to enhance the welcoming feel. Try and remove anything that might be distracting or uninviting.
If you decide to repaint your home, the choice of color is important. Stay away from loud or
garish colors. Neutral is best.
For a quick lesson in marketing, visit some model homes on the island. New homebuilders dress
up their model homes because they know how important it is to make a good first impression.
They have likely employed designers and architects to make color selections as well as ways to
make the home appear more inviting.
It’s been said that a buyer makes up their mind with 30 seconds of seeing a home. If a buyer
doesn’t fall in love within minutes of arriving, they’ll be off to their next appointment.
This is especially true in a buyer’s market when there is no pressure on buyers to make an
immediate offer. Ask your Prudential Locations Realtor
how you can make your home more appealing.