Home : Blogs : Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate : A Macomb County Michigan real estate blog.

Macomb County Michigan home sellers: Is your porch light on?

Late yesterday afternoon and early evening I was showing homes to potential buyers in Macomb County.

It was a gloomy day; rainy - windy - and overcast most of the day. Add to that the new time change that took place the previous weekend and myself and my clients were greeted with darkness by 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.

The real estate market is looking so much better in our area that most of the homes I viewed last night were not vacant or bank owned, but were privately owned and occupied.

They also had something else in common: Not one of the homes had a porch light on.

Mr. and Mrs. Seller, tonight when you get home from work please take a look at your home from the street and see what we see when we are out looking at homes.

Without your porch light on this is what we are not seeing:

*Your landscaping.

*Your beautiful windows.

*Your nice entry door.

*Your lockbox combination.

If you don't have a real estate sign on your lawn we are also not seeing your home. Most addresses are on the home and we cannot see it if your porch light isn't on. We'll drive right on past it, again and again and again until we find it by elimination. That makes for frustrated buyers right from the start.

In todays real estate market curb appeal is as important as pricing. You want to "wow" my potential buyers the moment we pull up to your home.

"Wow" potential buyers by turning your porch light on before you leave for work, or having it set on a timer that will turn it on at 4:30 p.m.

http://macombhomes.com

Macomb County MI real estate news & tips –Homes for Sale updates

Posted by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate on 11/07/2007 04:58 AM

Comments (11)

macomb county real estate, michigan

This post has been included in Michigan Information Macomb County, MI Information

11 Comments on Macomb County Michigan home sellers: Is your porch light on?

Kris, not only not seeing the house and landscaping, it's hard to get the darn key in or figure how the combo. Why don't Realtors prep their sellers for showing, not only should the outside lights be on but lights in the house and the basement. The house shows better and the Realtor is fumbling around for the light switches in every room. Great recommendations, I don't think I've seen this on AR before.

11/07/2007 05:11 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Realtor Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor)

Missy: I fumbled with more than one key last night :-) I carry a pocket flashlight with me but that surely doesn't help see the outside of the home! Like you, I also don't like to enter a dark home. A foyer light on and a couple of smaller lights on through the home really help so much.

11/07/2007 05:30 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

This is a good point, this time of year we have to leave lights on sooner (and adjust timers) I just did mine in the front yard!

11/07/2007 06:19 AM

by Charles McDonald / Your Trusted Broker for Charlottesville Real Estate (RE/MAX Assured Properties)

Great advice Kris, I know I've fumbled around with lock boxes & keys in the dark before, I have a little pocket flash light also, but I never seem to have it with me when needed.

11/07/2007 07:34 AM

by Mike Mitchell - REALTOR® - St. Clair Shores, MI (GMAC Real Estate The Kee Group)

Great reminder...sometimes it's the simple things that get overlooked!

11/07/2007 08:30 AM

by Lake Norman Real Estate ~ Diane Aurit (RE/MAX at the Lake)

Good post, Kris. As the time changes and the days get darker earlier this is important!

11/07/2007 10:22 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

YES YES YES!!!! Tell um Kris! I hate when I can't see the house. Like you said, it frustrates the buyer before we ever walk in the door. Good advice! GBY!

11/07/2007 04:37 PM

by Elizabeth Nieves - Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team (The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams)

Charles: Mine have been adjusted also, it's simply a good idea to do that whether you are selling your home or not. Thanks for stopping by :-)

Mike: I may pop into your office one day with 2 strips of velcro. One for your coat sleeve, one for the flashlight that you forget to bring :-)

Diane: Isn't that usually what happens? The simple things are easily overlooked.

11/08/2007 04:57 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Gary: That one hour difference in sunlight made a world of difference! Thanks for commenting Gary.

Elizabeth: Are you back from your vacation? It's good to see you :-)

11/08/2007 04:59 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Hi, Kris.

Beside the issue being able to see the lanscaping, lock box, etc, it is also a matter of safety. If there are no lights on, who knows if there is someone lurking near the door. This is one case where safety and courtesy go hand in hand.

11/09/2007 07:54 PM

by Kenneth Miller (Jordan Hill Home Services, LLC)

Ken: I didn't even think about that! Thanks for pointing this out.

11/10/2007 04:27 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)