Is THIS What You Want Your Entry to Say to Your Buyers?
This stager, @kathy streib, breaks this essential home staging tip down into a 9 point to-do list! The only thing I'll add is a follow on to #4: make sure your door hardware OPENS easily. It's a red flag that it's possible other things don't work as expected, if buyers are watching us struggle to get in to your house.
Is THIS What You Want Your Entry to Say to Your Buyers?
Believe it or not, your buyers are making up their minds before they
even set foot in your house!
You’ve heard of curb appeal...keeping your lawn mowed and trimming your bushes and trees, but it doesn’t stop there.
Entries that are hard to maneuver because of overgrown bushes, sidewalks with stains and weeds, rust covered handles and light fixtures tell your buyer I haven’t been cared for.
Already, the buyer is wondering if they should waste their time viewing the rest of the home.
They will be looking for other signs of what’s wrong with this house, instead of focusing on the possibilities of your property.
What YOU can do…
1. Visit your home!
When we come home from work, most of us enter via the garage. We forget what our front door looks like.
Instead, pay yourself a visit and critically view what your buyers will be seeing.
2. Now, take some time at the door and look around.
Your buyers will have plenty of time to wait at your entry while their agent retrieves the key and opens the door.
Trust me, they’re looking around and taking it all in.
3. Does your door stand tall and proud?
If it needs paint or cleaning, take care of it. Time for a new one? Make the investment.
4. Check your hardware.
This is especially true if you live near the salt water. The sun and salt can take its toll on a door handle. If it is pitted or turning green, it’s time to buy new ones to welcome your buyers.
5.Light the way.
Outdoor light fixtures need attention too. If they are old or outdated, give your entry a pick-me-up with new ones.
If all they need are cleaning...what are you waiting for?
6.Doormats
These will help protect your floors from outside dirt but they are also a good way to say “Welcome.”
Save your doormats with cute sayings for your new home. I once consulted on a home and the entry doormat said: “Go Away!”
7. Cobwebs and bugs be gone.
Unless you want your buyer to wonder if it’s Halloween, it’s best to check daily for spiderwebs and books at your front door.
8.Give it some oomph!
Remove dead or soon-to-be-dead plants or empty pots and give your entry some life!
Add some color with flowers or colorful plants. Make sure that you or someone will be around to care for them.
Keep to a minimum the cutesy lawn ornaments. Save them for your new home. Some whimsy is fine...too much can be distracting.
9. Be mindful of the path to your house.
Besides keeping overgrown bushes and plants trimmed, pressure clean your walkway to make sure you are welcoming your buyers and not sending them away.
When you decide to sell your house, you become the Chief Marketing Officer for your property.
If you want to sell it, then make sure you display it in the best possible light.
Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager
561-914-6224 Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com
Discover the Possibilities of Your Home!
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