Guest Blogger

Linda Borghi at Dazzle Interiors & Home Staging

Ever wonder what inspires a buyer to choose one home over another? The answer isn’t always clear, but one thing is for sure. Before a potential home buyer will even step foot inside, the home must exude some appeal from the curb in order to draw them in.

People generally have short attention spans and lack the initiative to look beyond what they see when viewing existing homes. So the home needs to deliver a positive impression from the moment that potential buyer drives up, and keep that feeling going for the entire tour.

This can be challenging in the winter months, when a home lacks the added appeal of a lush green lawn, leafy trees and colorful flowers in bloom. Never fear…when selling a home in the winter, there are several things you can do to help your home’s curb appeal prevail!

1) Adding a friendly wreath or swag on the front door can add that sense of “welcome home” that is visible from the curb.

2) Remove all personal trinkets and outdoor clutter, such as wind chimes, statuary and other yard ornamentation. This leaves the yard looking fresh and well-maintained, particularly in a market where today’s homes are competing with new construction, where yards are professionally landscaped and provide a clean slate for the new buyer.

3) Check the house numbers and replace them if they appear weathered. Nothing beats a shiny new set a numbers that are easy to read and can add elegance to any home.

4) Make sure leaves are removed and all dead grasses and summer plantings are clipped down neatly. No home buyer wants to be reminded of the maintenance that beautiful summer yard will require in the winter months.

5) Replace the mailbox with a new one. This is a low cost way to freshen up the look of the home from the outside and bring some added charm.

6)  On a warm day, paint the front door so it really stands out.

7) Remove all seasonal décor immediately after the season ends. When buyers view a home where Christmas lights remain long after the holiday is over, it sends a message that the seller lacks the time to properly maintain the home.

8) Examine the home with a fresh set of eyes! After years of viewing our own home, it can be difficult to view the home objectively, as a critical buyer might. It is always a valuable idea to consult with a third party, such as a Professional Home Stager, to bring new ideas and recommend ways to add appeal and eliminate items that may be a distraction to the buyer.

Revealing a home’s visual appeal is the first step to maximizing the sale of any home and ensuring it earns the highest sale price possible.

It is, therefore, worthwhile to take a little time to prepare and stage your home properly, both inside and out, to make the most of that critical first impression.

For more ideas on the “Do’s and Don’t In Staging Your Home,” visit www.DazzleHomeStaging.com, or contact Linda Borghi at Dazzle Interiors & Home Staging at (314)846-8899.