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How To Make Your House Smile At Buyers

By
Real Estate Agent with Diamond Partners Inc 00244377

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  In the world of real estate marketing, photography is like the new open house.  If you're trying to sell your property, be sure to take full advantage of the photo opportunity.  Expect that most of the previewing and weeding process will happen online.  For goodness sake - don't neglect to showcase your home.  And, don't tolerate mediocre photography from your real estate agent either. 

If you want buyers to say "wow," you have to make your house be ready to smile and say "cheese."

There is no doubt that while you're trying to sell your house, you might also be trying to live in it.  But, don't miss the opportunity to make an online impression.  This starts from the outside.  Curb appeal is a must.  As you make a to-do list, don't forget to spruce up the outside.  Have a plan to enhance both the exterior and interior of your property with photographs in mind.  In the process of getting your house ready to put on the market, you must be thinking picture perfect. 

Are you aware that while you might have only a few showings, your listing will probably be taking several online hits from the public websites it will be advertised on?  Do you want buyers to continue to pass up your property time and time again because it didn't photograph well?

Once your house is on the market, take a moment to look at all the marketing photos and critique the presentation?  You need to be your own worst critic.  Don't wait until your house begins to linger on the market before you start beating yourself up.  Determine if you like what you see in the photos.  Be honest with yourself.  If you don't like what you see, neither will the buyers who are shopping online.  Don't be afraid to ask your agent for a re-take.  But first, clean up your act.  Your agent could be a great photographer but it won't matter one bit if you are not a good housekeeper or just don't have an eye for the obvious.  Pictures don't lie.  So, clean it up ...and dress it up.    

Tidy up the kitchen and bathroom especially.  You don't have to aim for a totally sterile look, but get rid of the counter clutter.  Even if you do not have an updated kitchen, this will at least make your house appear clean and tidy.  Get rid of small appliances which are not in use on a daily basis.  If you don't eat toast everyday, get rid of the toaster - hide it in a kitchen cabinet.  And, while you're at it, get rid of the refrigerator art and all the magnets.  Put your family calender in a drawer. 

De-personalize your entire house.  Some real estate agents might suggest getting rid of family photos. I'm not in total agreement with this because maybe some buyers find comfort in seeing how you portrayed the sense of a loving family in that house.  But, do minimize the amount of family pictures.  In fact, limit your collection of just about everything - even if your junk is not grouped together as so-called collectables.  Random junk is distracting to buyers.  Put it all in storage and plan on meeting up with it in your next lifestyle.  Replace your junk with some live plants and just a "few" decorative and tasteful touches. 

Your house should show off a little personality, but be sure it's not the personality of a rebel.  If you like bold colors, tone it down for the purpose of getting your house sold - especially wall colors and flooring.    Promise yourself that in your new lifestyle you will unleash your creative, artsy and wild side again.  Now is not the time to make a statement. 

Get rid of the wallpaper and borders. If you have royal blue, hunter green or fire engine red wall to wall carpet, consider replacing it with a neutral selection.  Better yet, if there is hardwood under that carpet, take advantage of this.  Consider it a special selling feature and just refinish the floors rather than re-covering them.

Open the curtains and let the sun shine through.  Buyers like sunlit homes.  While you're at it, clean the windows.  Neutral wall colors make the rooms look bigger and a home feel cleaner.  Neutural color schemes help in achieving that sunlit feeling.   

Unsure of how to get your house picture ready.  Look at pictures of homes in a home & garden magazine.  What do you see?  Better yet, what do you NOT see.  I bet you won't see a lot of clutter.  You'll notice clean, tidy and sunlit rooms.  Can you spot your own individual style?  If not, find one you might be easily able to duplicate.  You can copy a certain style even if you are on a budget?  Understand that paint is cheap and a little goes a long way.  Most of us can't afford Pottery Barn, but you can achieve the same look by shopping for the cheaper version of the same look at places like Target and Ikea.

Don't forget to pay close attention to detail.  When your agent comes to snap photos, make sure your bathroom toilet seat is down.  There should not be any pets wandering around in your photos.  And, be sure your Realtor doesn't snap their own photo in your bathroom mirror.  Move your car out of the driveway so your agent can focus on photographing just your home.

Remember, as the seller - you have all the control.  Competitive pricing and great photography will influence buyers to want to come and look at it.  Not offering the best pictures could be just as dangerous as not offering your house at the right price.  And, price - of course, that's a whole other topic. 

   

Posted by

_____________________________________________________________________________

Carol Culkin - REECENICHOLS REAL ESTATE

Carol Culkin - Licensed Real Estate Salesperson for ReeceNichols Real Estate, is your source for real estate in Overland Park and the bordering cities of Leawood, Olathe, Mission, Miriam, Lenexa and Shawnee, Stillwell and Spring Hill. Carol has been ranked as an award winning agent and offers her clients over 10 years of real estate experience.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, DESIGNATIONS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Member of National Associations of Realtors®, Member of Kansas Associations of Realtors®, Member of Kansas City Regional Associations of Realtors®, Member of Heartland Multiple Listing Services, Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Red Cross Volunteer - Greater Kansas City Chapter, Supportor of Cross-Lines Community Outreach.

 
 

ReeceNichols Real Estate

8001 College Blvd Suiite 100

Overland Park, KS 66210

Office: (913) 451-4415
Cell: (913) 333-8310
   
 http://www.overlandparkhomelocator.com/  
 

                                 

 

Comments (5)

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Great post.  I like the thought of your house smiling.  Greeting the buyer.

Mar 16, 2009 02:15 PM
Ron Bridges
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Carol, This is just what I need to talk to my sellers to help them get the look!  Thanks for your timely post!

Mar 16, 2009 02:15 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Carol, you are right people do decide to NOT go to houses based on the pictures so the photos need to be good.

Mar 16, 2009 03:46 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Carol - In this market a seller really need to do everything to make the house smile.

Mar 16, 2009 04:08 PM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Good sound advice! Preparation, Presentation, Price, 3 of my 6 P's! Sellers have so much better chance of moving quickly and for more money if they will follow a few simple steps!

Mar 16, 2009 07:40 PM