How can you secure the highest possible price for your house in the shortest amount of time? The answer is to use the strategy that professional marketing executives have known for years – make the product sexy!
Yes, you read that right. You need to make the product sexy. You’ve only got one shot at making that first impression on a potential buyer. Here are 5 easy moves to help make your house the most desirable product on the market.
1. Dress It Up– The curb appeal of the house will create an instant and irreversible first impression with every buyer.
Paint the Trim / Front Door
Plant Flowers / Pull Weeds
Clean the Downspouts / Gutters / Screens / Windows
Pressure Wash the Sidewalk / Driveway
Mow Lawn / Apply New Bark Mulch
Replace Inside / Outside Light Bulbs
Wash the House Exterior / Paint if Needed
Remove Cob Webs / Spray for Pests
2. Be Polished – Every house should offer the potential buyer a warm, friendly experience – especially during the first introduction to ensure compatibility.
Consider the Smell of the House
Clean Drapes / Blinds / Windows
Clean Doors / Cabinets / Closets
Dust / Remove Cobwebs
Clean Appliances
Re-Caulk Bathtubs / Showers / Clean Baseboards
Replace Cracked or Damaged Outlet Covers
3. Ditch the Baggage – Remove barriers that might hold back potential buyers from moving forward.
Pack / Store Seasonal Clothing
Remove Unused Furniture
Remove Personal Photos
Secure Pets Before Each Showing
When a showing occurs leave the House
4. Set the Mood –Help potential buyers visualize themselves living there, by telling a story in each room. This is often referred to as “Staging.”
Set the Kitchen Table
Place Fresh Flowers in a Vase
Adjust the Lighting
Turn Down the Master Bed
Turn on Fireplace in Living Room
Turn on Soft Music
Make Light Hors d’oeuvres or Cookies
5. Open Up – Buyers want to know everything about a house before they make it their home.
Sweep the Garage / Pressure Wash
Clean Out Closets / Pantry
Provide Access to the Crawl Space / Cellar / Attic
Unlock / Open All Areas–Including Outside Building / Shops
Set your sexy house apart from the competition and get it off the market with these 5 easy moves. For more “staging” tips and ideas, or for a Competitive Market Analysis to show you what your house is valued at in today’s market, contact me for a FREE consultation.
Beyond an honest and trusted relationship, my professional real estate services include:
Real Estate Counseling
Contract Negotiation
Buyer Representation
First-time Home Buyer Counseling
Seller Representation
Staging Services
Property Touring Services
Relocation Services
Competitive Market Analysis
A little TLC (Tender, Love & Care) can go a long way in making a connection with that special buyer that’s out there. Call, click or email me today, and let me help you make the right moves– so you can seal the deal.
Shanon Pewtress
Real Estate Broker, Licensed in the state of Oregon
Published Medford Sneak Preview Magazine - July 2014
Shanon holds an MBA in International Business, loves writing in her “At Home with Shanon” column that has been delivered to 47,000+ homes in Medford since 2014, has appeared on the Real Estate Radio Show, and was also featured on A&E TV network’s Real Estate Reality TV show.