Buyers use all of their senses when searching for their new homes.  'Looking' at homes goes way beyond sight.  Appeal to all five of the buyers' senses.  Each sense provides input to the Buyers' perceptions of your home. 

Your home is enhanced by leaving an Ipod, satellite radio or CDs playing.  Pick background music.  You don't want the Buyers to stop to try to remember the tune and the words.  Who cares?  I like almost anything done by the Marsalis family, Ottmar Lieber, Kenny G, or any light classical/ instrumental music. I would stay away from those spa CDs that have rain forest sounds or tropic birds chirping or wind blowing.  Look for something smooth and mellow. 

When selling a home this summer, the owner included his built in music system. (Of course, how could he take it with him?).  At each viewing and for a Sunday Open House, he left the system on for Buyers to hear and see.  It ended up being one of the selling features.  When I do an Open House and know that it is without the central system, I take a radio and find a station of easy listening music.  I leave it on the whole afternoon.  I take my own radio because I am a bit of a techno phobe when it comes to my and other people's equipment.  I never put the television on because it is too distracting.  Buyers will stop and watch a game on the TV without seeing the house. 

Make your sale come alive with the Sound of Music.

Photo credit:  The Sound of Music

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
Posted by Valerie Zinger on 12/16/2010 07:14 AM   Comments (19)   Music in the Home Selling Channel   zingers, selling, staging, music  
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19 Comments on Julie Andrews

DEC
16
2010
297,904 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

If all sellers and agents worked on this thought we may get more buyers into contract.  Good post.
7:17am • #1
669,512 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Nice I think I'll use this on my next open house
7:18am • #2
1,453,158 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you for the post. I read somewhere that they do a lot of research about   music  they play in department stores.
7:21am • #3
644,406 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie you mean buyers don't want to hear "fitty cent" (a.k.a Rapper Fifty Cent) while viewing a property.  Just kidding.  Music transcends across generations and there is middle ground when it comes to music choice.  This is a very note worthy blog.
7:21am • #4
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Navona:  I know that we can certainly use our sense of smell - when something is bad in a home but the sound of music is a subtle positive.  Thanks for the comment.

James:  I know a radio is a little old fashioned (who carries a radio with them?) but it has really helped me in long afternoons in a stranger's home. 
7:21am • #5

It's s true about the senses.  Sometimes when I have an open house I'll put some apple cider of the stove with cinnamon sticks cloves and sliced apples.  This gives the house a warm feeling.  You walk in and you barely smell it, like playing an easy listening station, you don't want something overpowering.  But it puts people at ease.  I think they relax and can better focus on the house.
7:29am • #6
796,571 Points 80 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Val, what an amazing built in system...i do turn on soft music depending upon the type of house...right now i'm into cinnamon smells!
7:30am • #7
317,758 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Zinger, you just don't miss a beat do ya?  I just love Kimberly's idea. 
7:33am • #8
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Gita:  I think most stores have forgotten that 6 weeks of Christmas music is enough to have customers and staff run screaming into the streets.  Just kidding, a bit.  Yes, there is research.

Charita: I must look for more (ha ha ha  - like I have any right now) rap music.  I think my age is showing.  A hollow empty house just sounds better with a little music playing.

Kimberley:  I have heard of the pot of apple/cinnamon and can just imagine how wonderfully effective it is.  Must give it a try.

Ginny:  Apparently you and Kimberley are alike on this.  Of course being Christmas, that smell will evoke wonderful feelings. 
7:36am • #9
644,406 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I knew you'd want to expand on your current collection.  I'm so glad my AR SOI has a great sense of humor.
7:49am • #10
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Charita:  Right now I love the sound track from Burlesque.  It might be a million miles away from Rapper Fifty Cents. 
7:57am • #11
548,445 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Valerie, Background music always adds to the overall ambience of a home for sale.
9:08am • #12
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Chris:  Yes it does and if it is subtle then people just get the mood and not the interference of the sound. 
9:30am • #13
444,741 Points 11 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valeria, music helps to get them into a relaxed and mellow frame of mind.  Never thought to take a radio. 
10:10am • #14
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Leah:  We have one of those little portable radios (I think for emergencies) and I put it in my Open House kit.  It has been used a lot. 
10:19am • #15
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Valerie - Great idea!  Probably best not to play the soundtrack from Burlesque, though. Before you know it, all sorts of people will be "bumping and grinding" their way through your open house - not necessarily a pretty sight...  ;-)
11:00am • #16
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Judy:  A little bump and grind may get those houses sold faster - just so they don't have to see my in fish nets ever again.  I might end up seared in their minds and then become a 'tainted;' house.  Oh well, back to the black slacks and jackets.
11:59am • #17
1,138,584 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a super idea.  You are really full of so many wonderful and creative ideas.
7:20pm • #18
544,821 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Debbie:  Thank you.  Some of these things come from many many years of interest in houses.
9:40pm • #19


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