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96 Comments on Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are Interested In A Home
Hi LaNita, you are right! I have never thought about the specific time duration, but I think 8 seconds is about right.
Coulc not agree more on the 8 second!
That is why Home Staging and GREAT MLS photos are so important. You may get a 5 second click on line and if they make it to the property you need a WOW when they drive up curb appeal and another WOW when they walk in the home. You must appeal to all the senses. SMELL and clutter can kill a sale. Even if the "clutter "is expensive decor!
I believe you're right... I was looking for a 2nd home in Connecticut about 4 years ago and as we pulled up to the house with the Realtor, before the car even came to a complete stop I told them: "no, I'm not interested in seeing this house."
I could just tell by house poorly the yard was 'not' taken care of that I would not want to step foot inside the house. My other half said he would go inside with the realtor and just take a quick look while I waited in the car since we'd ask another realtor to meet us there. He quickly came back to tell me I wouldn't want that house - MOLD issues! Go with your 1st instinct.
I was drawn to every house I purchased; I had an emotional connection almost immediately.
LaNita: Saw your post over at Michelle Francis's post and had to come comment. I think this assessment is spot-on. Especially for seasoned-buyers. They intuitively know at a gut level what they are looking for and want. I think the more we do anything, the more likely that we can winnow-out selections quickly and make quick judgement. 8 seconds?? Boy do sellers need to know this!
Gene
While I can not speak for everyone, I have found this to be so true in my own life. Even when purchasing land, I knew when I drove up... immediately! My thoughts are "unless there is something freaky crazy that I can't see yet, this is it!"
As a staging company, we couldn't agree more. Of course we would---but as most responders here seem to concur..first impressions are the key. We struggle with why someone would treat the largest asset so casually? Everything we buy is packaged and marketed to appeal to us as buyers--but so many sellers jut ignore that. Sad. As we say, would you walk into the prom in shorts and t-shirt? Why put your home out there in shorts and flip flops? Quite honestly, when people ignore this critical point they are actually selling the competing properties that are put together to appeal! Great post.
If this is true, then why OH WHY do my clients spend 10-20 minutes in a home they DISLIKE? They place furniture and bad-mouth the place all at the same time. When I try to goose them along, I'm rushing them. They hate the house and verbally tear it apart. I just don't get the point in that, nor the time wasted. I'm going to have to bookmark this for future use.
Boy, I sure wish I could make life altering decisions in such consice and regimented fashion. Personally it takes a little more than 8 seconds to motivate me to...........................
sign on the dotted line! But thanks for the insight and info.
A powerful argument for curb appeal and for staging. Great post. Thanks for the info.
'Nuff said! Sellers take heed but don't take it personally!
LaNita ~ Very true. I don't think we, as humans, realize all that we take in in seconds. Evaluating people, places and things and their safety or comfort levels happens quickly. Instincts keep us safe if we listen.
LaNita, that is such a good feeling when I get that response! Just yesterday I showed a home and my buyer didn't say a word, but kept looking at me with the "is this for real!" look. That was awesome!!
Hope we get many more of those!
Christine
I agree that they decide on the house in the first few seconds and I don't think that you meant the decision to buy or not to buy. If they are committed, want a home now and will make the offer, they can tell if a house is worth the deteailed inspection in just a few seconds. Sellers need to be aware that clean and fresh smelling is key.
Sometimes my buyers are ready to leave so quidkly (because they know they don't like it in 8 seconds) that I have to ask them to wait for me to walk through quickly so I can leave my card for the seller and give feedback to the listing agent.
LaNita, could this be a reaction and or a call on a subconscious level?...the chemistry...either of past memories....coming 'back home' ....or, top it up with a few extra seconds, for those courageous who burnt the bridges of past, and than ready to marshal towards new horizons?
Like the analogy - thanks for your great post
Been there done that.... I think by personal experience the 8 seconds rule is true! When we purchased a home in a new city (not licensed in that state), I would tell our agent to keep going when we stop in front of what I call a pancake house (ranch-rambler with low line roof). Didn't want to have anything to do with that style of home...... Live & learn, one of my requirements was a nice sized dinning room and our agent enticed me to go in one of "those" houses because it had a dining room like what I wanted..... Long story short, not only did we knew it was the one before getting out of the car (there is a 100+ years old oak in the front yard & and a unique serenity to the lot / street), once we entered the house we were sold in 8 seconds! By the way I was told about the house before it hit the market & refused to visit it, when we did, it was already active and had to compete and pay above listed price to get it!!!
The home is been a rental for the last 13 yrs, and I currently live in another state on a new home twice the size.... Bought & sold another home in between without even blink. But I still drive away in tears every time I pass the keys to a new tenant and have to say good bye to my little house. YES, I KNOW, totally irrational, especially for a Realtor. It's an emotional decision as much as a financial one. You gotta' feel the LOVE...
LaNita, this is definitely true! Buyers know in less than a minute if they feel comfortable in the house and could make it their own home.
Yep. People start forming their opinion the moment they get to the curb and usually have their mind made up when they walk through the door.
So very true. Sellers better make sure the landscaping is fresh, front door is painted, and the house has a good first impression (including smell)...or they can forget it.