Wednesday, March 28, 2007
How does my home look today??? Do I get a wolf whistle or am I unnoticed?
By: Diana Bennett Wirtz, Buyer Specialist with Prowse & Company (and Home Design Professional)
You put a lot of effort into what you wear to an interview or out to dinner in Seattle or to the theater, but do you put an equal amount of energy when you put your house on the market??? When you are interviewing for a new position you want to arrive well prepared, well groomed and with a positive attitude. Don’t you always want to look better than the competition? Why not make the same effort when marketing your house?
You think about the color or suit, or blouse or tie, but do you think about what color your house is wearing and how it might affect the buyer when they see it the first time? How are the accessories? Did you wear the right jewelry or is it overdone or maybe underdone? This can all apply to the front of your home. Are the flowers bright and pretty, is the sidewalk in good order, do you see the trash cans from the street. These are things to think about. You have to think about selling your home as selling a product.
Do you realize you have about 30 seconds to make or break a first impression? You don’t have a second chance to make a first impression! So what can you do to make the perfect first impression? Curb appeal, that first impression your home communicates to prospective buyers, should create an emotional desire to own the home and enjoy the lifestyle you created, and the status it represents. Putting your best face on your home will give a lasting impression motivating the buyers to cross the threshold and take the first step toward buying your home, aka, closing the deal.
We like to think that people can see beyond the mess and clutter, but mostly they cannot. Most people form an opinion pulling into the driveway. By the time they are out of the car, many have made up their minds. Home purchases are based on emotional decisions. So let’s give a positive appearance to your home upon initial approach. If you can’t get them into your home, you will not sell it, and you don’t get a second chance.
Dirty yards denote dirty homes, or homes that people don’t love and care about. Do you want to buy a home that has not been dearly loved? So on the other hand; do you want to sell your home looking like it was not loved? Your home could be spotlessly clean, but your buyer may already have a mind set that you don’t “care”, by how you maintain the outside of your home. A tidy yard, clean windows, a freshly painted front door and an inviting floor matt say “Please come in.” Cracked sidewalks, broken blinds hanging haphazardly in the windows, dirty shoes by the door are not welcoming.
San Francisco Row House Revision
This is an extreme example, but show what a face lift can do for Curb Appeal!!
Here are some simple suggestions for your Curb Appeal:
1. One beautiful large pot with lots of red or yellow flowers is much better than five or six small ones. Think simple!
2. Remove that “Welcome to the Zoo” sign (or whatever) from the front entry.
3. Trimming and landscaping can have up to a 266% return on the investment, so hire a gardener if you don’t have time to do it yourself. Your landscaping is part of your physical appearance. If you were dressing for that interview would you dress in a professional manner? Image is everything in both places. For example, two landscapers show up at your home to offer their services. The first one arrived in clean, but causal clothes driving a newer vehicle, with a notebook under his arm. The second arrived in a beat up truck looked dirty and unkempt and pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket to use for note taking. They both offer the service at the same price. Which would you hire?
4. Harness Flower power. Lots of beautiful flowers in front are welcoming. It makes the home seem softer and cozy. Plant those flower beds with lots of welcoming yellow flowers.
5. Put your trash cans out of site, and while you are at it, park the junk cars somewhere else (or donate).
6. Painting a contrasting color on your front door can spruce up the entire look of your home. The concept of fresh paint on your front door in a lovely contrasting color can direct the eye to the front entrance.
7. Replace the door knob and locks if they look sad.
8. Don’t even think about painting the garage doors that same contrasting color…. Too much color, as the garage door should blend with the home, not jump out for attention.
9. Empty side yards of everything or make them beautiful.
10. Clean out cobwebs.
11. Wash down all the exterior surfaces and clean all the windows.
12. Clean or replace your screens.
13. Make sure all your gutters are clean. Grass growing in them, and mud puddles at their base is not impressive and not where you want the flower garden.
14. Make sure your doorbell works. Sounds silly, but important!
15. Replace your address with new numbers and if your number is on the curb, have it repainted.
16.If you need to repaint your home, look at the colors in your neighborhood and choose a color scheme that blends.
17. Resealing your asphalt driveway can make an enormous difference in how your house reads from the street.
18. If you have concrete, check for cracks and repair them.
19. Inspect your chimney have it cleaned.
20. Install exterior lighting along all the sidewalks and paths. Many people can only look at homes in the evening, due to work schedules. Be ready for them.
21. Be sure all your window blinds and draperies are even and presentable from the street (and back yard).
22. Stepping stones leading to faucets and hoses should be placed where there are no paths.
23. Remove wind chimes and other collectables from your porches.
24. Keep that lawn and yard perfect or as perfect as you can…
You are now well on the way to having great curb appeal and selling your home. Selling your home is a bit like a romance. A little excitement is great, but too much baggage (clutter) or drama is a killer. Keep it simple and elegant!
Just a little, can do a lot!!
If you have questions contact Diana Bennett Wirtz at Prowse and Company (360) 779-2888 or . She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Design, International Interior Design Association, National Kitchen and Bath Association, has an MA in Interior Design, and teaches Interior Design at the Seattle Art Institute in addition to being a real estate broker. Diana would be happy to schedule a consultation to “stage your home” or to facilitate the interior design of your home so you live in your new home more delightfully.
“Start living a designed life today.”
Amethyst Designs
Diana Bennett Wirtz, ASID, IIDA, NKBA
2062253354
http://www.amethystdesigns.net
Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS
