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Will Exterior Lighting Help A Home Sell?

By
Real Estate Agent with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Will Exterior Lighting Help A Home Sell - Originally posted at Cleveland Real Estate Blog

 

outdoor lighting can help a home sell

 

Have you ever given thought to how your home looks after the sun goes down? When people sell their home, most of the attention focuses on how it will look during the day. Curb appeal and overall presentation are obviously important to making a positive impression on potential buyers. However, some buyers really care how a home looks at night and appealing to these folks may help sell your home.

IS YOUR HOME BRIGHT AT NIGHT?

In the past, I never really gave much thought to how a home looks at night. Recently though, one of our luxury home buyers changed the way we now think about the subject. This particular buyer mentioned that having a well lit home was very important to him and was a key criteria for choosing a home. He mentioned several reasons:

First, he worked long hours and wanted his new home to look beautiful when he pulled into his driveway at night. Second, he and his wife entertained a lot and wanted the home to give a positive impression when guests came over in the evening. Finally, he wanted the home to provide an additional layer of security for his family. Even though they were looking to purchase in an upscale neighborhood, the buyer didn't want his wife and young children coming home to a dark home.

WHAT CAN A SELLER DO?

Here are a few tips for home sellers to add to their home's "night appeal":

1. Keep The Lights On - Make sure all bulbs are working and keep the outside lights on during the evening hours while the home is on the market. You never know if a potential buyer will be driving around the area at night checking things out, so be prepared.

2. Make Sure Street Lights Are Operable - In most cases, there will be street lights located strategically throughout a neighborhood. Drive around at night and make sure they are all working properly. If not, have your local city fix them.

3. Add Exterior Lighting - If you don't have anything more than the standard outdoor lighting that came with the home, adding flood lights, pathway lights, accent lights, and other specialty lighting isn't overly expensive, but could have a dramatic effect. There are actually some great "green" options available like LED lighting, and the monthly electric bill for these is minimal.

Getting a home sold is not always an easy task, so looking at every angle to help your home stand out is important. Who knows, you may be just a few lights away from a sale.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman service the Cleveland, Oh metropolitan area and specialize in Cleveland luxury homes and working with buyers relocating to Cleveland.

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 

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Will Exterior Lighting Help A Home Sell is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©May, 2011

Comments(12)

Joe Lane Richland
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Richland, WA
WA Realtor, 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

I like your article Dan and Amy.  I've reblogged it!  :)

May 26, 2011 02:01 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

That is the challenge in todays market. Showing homes as it gets dark with poor lighting. I think lighting is a big thing that helps sell a home.

May 26, 2011 02:10 AM
Kim Inman
Mountains to Lakes Real Estate, Inc. - Harriman, TN
CRS, Broker/Owner

Dan & Amy...I've never given much thought to exterior lighting at night but it would have to help!  The picture that you've shown looks great and I would imagine a house of a smaller size would benefit also.

May 26, 2011 04:10 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Dan and Amy, I have never thought much about exterior lighting on luxury homes, but you have listed some great reasons for having these exterior lights. I was not familiar with LED lighting, and I guess I need to check this feature out soon. I can certainly understand having exterior lighting on any luxury home. It will help sell these homes, and give that extra security for the home owners too.

May 26, 2011 05:15 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Joe - Thanks for the re-blog and glad you enjoyed the article.

Chuck - It's definitely something you notice when you're out showing homes at night, especially in the winter.

Kim - I think any home could benefit from being well lit, not just high-end homes.

Jerry - It's probably a topic that is overlooked but I think any home can benefit from having good outdoor lighting. The one thing I do notice when driving at night is that burnt out street lights can make a really nice neighborhood seem dark and perhaps give a buyer the impression that it's not as safe. If nothing else, a listing agent or seller should make sure that the street lights on that street and throughout the neighborhood work properly since the city is usually responsible and will fix it at no cost.

May 26, 2011 06:28 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Lighting is often overlooked, both inside and outside. Many homes could be so much brighter on the inside by simply changing a few light bulbs. On the outside, it's just as important for all the reasons you stated!

May 29, 2011 02:02 AM
Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent

great article, I think it would. I was watching an old episode of the Sopranos and I noticed the house even more when it was all lit up. I think it would be genious to have an agent post a spotlight on a for sale sign. you know one of those solar powered ones. 

 

Dave Woodson

Valpariso Local Internet Marketing 

May 31, 2011 04:13 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Barb - It also helps when the sellers actually turn on the lights for showings. I've noticed a lot of sellers don't do this and we end up walking into a dark home which I think does the sellers a great disservice.

Dave - I think outdoor lighting can really make a luxury home stand out. We have reflective signs but no spotlight, that would be a great idea though, especially solar powered.

 

Jun 06, 2011 02:46 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING DAN! I agree!  I do not like dark neighborhoods - and well lite homes are not only safe - but if all the neighbors keep a light shining it makes it really sparkle at night!

Jun 08, 2011 01:18 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Hi Gab - Thanks as always for reading. Poorly lit neighborhoods, even though they may be nice, will often turn buyers away.

Jun 08, 2011 02:07 AM
Betsy Schuman Dodek
Washington Fine Properties - Washington DC Area Real Estate - Potomac, MD
SearchPotomacHomes.com

Dan,

 

Buyers that are interested in a home will drive around morning, noon and night to check out a street/house/area. How a house presents itself at night truly matters! Good job!

Have a great day,

 

Betsy

Jun 11, 2011 01:46 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Betsy - Once buyers actually buy a home, they will continue to drive by it as well, probably out of excitement. We're a big fan of exterior lighting and it's really not overly expensive.

Jun 13, 2011 11:55 AM