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Just How Important Is First Impression When Selling Your House?

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

You've heard it a thousand times....

" You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression."

But just how important is first impression when selling your house?

 

Whether it's referring to potential buyers viewing MLS photos, a potential buyer's reaction to curb appeal upon arrival, or a buyer's reaction within the first few seconds upon entering the front door...

the impression first formed in a buyer's mind greatly influences their opinion of a property.

 

That gut feeling when someone first walks in the door sets the tone for the rest of the showing.  A buyer's perception of a home's value is formed based on visual appearance and emotional appeal.

 

Whatever that impression is, negative or positive, it is carried with the buyer throughout the home. Basically, they go looking room-by-room in hopes of validating their initial feelings.

They look for more evidence that your house IS or ISN'T the home for them.

Do you really want potential buyers touring your house in search of negative validation?

First impressions are lasting impressions.  That's great news if your home generates positive reactions.

However, once your home lands in the negative column on a buyer's search list, it's pretty hard to change it to positive. 

Preparation and presentation PRIOR TO LISTING are key to creating a lasting, positive first impression. 

 

See More:  Before and After photos

Comments(46)

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

What you say is true! I've also noticed that if one member of the party finds something offensive and doesn't experience a great first impression, others jump on the bandwagon and leave the house.

First impressions do matter!

Jan 09, 2017 09:04 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Patricia Feager  I hadn't even thought of that aspect....true one person can easily influence another....spouse for example.

Jan 09, 2017 01:00 PM
Beth Bromund
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Rochester, MI
REALTOR (248) 651-3500

"Once your home lands in the negative column on a buyer's search list, it's pretty hard to change it to positive. "  This is definitely a reason to stage before listing rather than take a wait and see approach and stage only if it doesn't sell fast enough.

Jan 09, 2017 06:16 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Beth Bromund  Once sellers understand that it makes things go much easier!

Jan 10, 2017 02:14 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Sharon Tara well, I guess I missed this one first time around but caught it on a reblog by Gabe Sanders ....  "the eye buys" and there are no do-overs....the first sight is a lasting one.... I always love the photos on your posts....actually, I always love all of your posts...

Jan 13, 2017 02:53 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sharon. This is so terrific. I love the pictures: it really makes your post.

Jan 13, 2017 05:43 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Barbara Todaro  You always make me smile. Thank you!

Sheila Anderson  Thank you!  I wish I had lots more photos but I tend to forget to take the befores or don't get the opportunity for the afters. It's a great thing when I actually get both for a job!

Jan 13, 2017 12:27 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Many people go with and stick to that first impression, so its everything Sharon Tara 

Jan 17, 2017 07:53 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Scott Godzyk  It's agents like you that understand this important part of selling that sellers should be working with!

Jan 17, 2017 05:30 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

God morning Sharon Tara,

I'm so glad Roy Kelley re-blogged your post! First impressions are so important and your post has such a good visual..hard to argue which shot is more appealing!

Jan 24, 2017 04:44 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dorie Dillard  Thank you. So happy to see the post shared!

Jan 24, 2017 07:12 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Found your post from Roy Kelley's re-blog.  Definitely true, first impressions are important.  And they start early on - listing, photos and even availability or difficulty to view.-Kasey

Jan 24, 2017 04:00 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kasey & John Boles and the team at Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC  Glad you found me! Thank you for letting me know and for commenting!

Jan 25, 2017 06:26 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

First impressions are critical... make it bright, clean, uncluttered.

Feb 02, 2017 06:29 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Andrew Mooers  Exactly! That is what buyers want!

Feb 02, 2017 06:46 AM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Yes, but you can relay all of this to some sellers until you're blue in the face and they will still insist on keeping their collection of German beer steins displayed in the living room for all to admire...er, abore.

Feb 02, 2017 07:14 AM
Jim Holder

Love those beer steins, don't we...

Feb 02, 2017 08:04 AM
Jim Holder
HomeSmart Connect - Arlington Heights, IL
REALTOR EMERITUS, ABR,ePRO,CNC,SFR,

I believe your initial statement pertains more to people than houses, as one's first impression of an individual is difficult to change.

In regards to homes, it depends mostly on two items. First, how the agent sets expectations before showing the home. And second, has to do with whether the buyer has an imagination to see beyond the condition they see.

In reality, fewer people have an imagination when viewing homes. And that is why builders spend thousands furnishing and decorating their models.

This subject may try to have a simple explanation, but the more advanced edition might have more to do with the psychology of sales...

Feb 02, 2017 07:36 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Front door, mats. As you walk in the first look will determine if they buyers will walk away or not.....

"Vamonos adios!"

Feb 02, 2017 07:44 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Jeffrey Stevens  Yes we have all been with those sellers. Some people just can't be convinced and they ultimately pay the price.

Jim Holder  Thank you for such an in depth comment. Yes, first impressions of people are lasting and difficult to change. There is a quote out there something like "when people show you who they are, believe them". 

Expectation has a lot to do with it. That's why mls photos are so important and why having the home show well to match those photos is just as important. Agents can have a lot to do with expectation, setting it too high and setting it too low.  Being able to help buyers see past what is there and see the possibilities is a huge benefit and a skill that serves real estate agents well!

Home Staging is all about the psychology of sales....Staging isn't about decorating, it's about strategic marketing.

Feb 02, 2017 01:17 PM
Jim Holder

Important to be up front and honest with promotion type information as buyers don't want to feel "tricked" when photos don't match what they see real time. For me I'd rather under-state vs over-state.

Feb 03, 2017 07:29 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sam Shueh  When I was looking for a home I walked away without going inside a few times. Happens all the time.

Feb 02, 2017 01:18 PM