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Buyers Look At Your Home Online First.... What is Their First Impression?

By Lisa Stafford

Real Estate Agent with Broken Arrow, Tulsa, McGraw Realtors

July 24, 2010 02:36 AM

Buyers Look At Your Home Online First.... What is Their First Impression?

Since buyers are looking online first then the first impression needs to be great!!!
As we all know......You Don't have a Second Chance for a First Impression!

Here are a few tips to help have a better First Impression Online and Off....

Landscaping- Have a well manicured lawn. A green lawn that has been edged is very sharp. Weed all flower beds and planters. You don't have to have alot of plants, but a few bags of new mulch is worth much more than the cost. Trim the small starter limbs and stragglers from your trees as well as shrubs.

Walls - We all have many pictures, clocks, plaques and art to decorate every wall in our house. But in this case, less is more. Remove items that aren't the focal point and allow buyers to get an idea of what their favorite pictures would look like on your wall. Less on the wall also makes your rooms look larger in a photo.

Tables/Counter tops- Remember, less is more here. Coffee tables, end tables etc should be dusted, catalogs straightened and items not used often put away. Take items off your counter tops such as piles of mail, small appliances, rags from sinks, toothpaste and other personal items. You'll be surprised how much cleaner and larger it will look. Especially in a photo.

Compare the two photos here. The items on the table and wall match everything else. There is nothing wrong with decorating your home in this manner. The problem is when someone else is seeing your home online.

Look how clean and fresh this looks. It also appears to be a much larger space. This gives buyers who are looking at your home space to visualize their personal items in your home. Like a canvas to be painted.

Curtains/Window Coverings- Curtains are used for decorations as well as temperature control. Open or pull back your curtains and blinds. It lets people know you are inviting them in. WELCOME, them to your home.

If your thinking of selling your home................look around and see what you think. Take a few pictures yourself with your "stuff" moved around. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

Give me a call today and lets make your home inviting and desirable as we put it on the market to sell!

Lisa Stafford - Broker Associate
McGraw Realtors
918-693-3534
LisaStaffordRealty.com

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Carolyn Kolba

Serving Mentor, and all of Lake County, Ohio - Mentor, OH

Keller Williams Realty- Mentor, Ohio

Lisa, for many buyers, the first impression they get when they drive up to the front of the house... is everything. I have seen it either make or break the sale of some very nice homes inside.

Jul 24, 2010 02:38 AM

Karen Crowson

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA

Your Agent for Change

I agree. I've often wondered why some agent show an interior shot as the first MLS photo, as the curb appeal can make them stop or not. Nicer setting in the photo you show, but I think a wider view allows the buyer to see the overall room size, not just the things in it.

Jul 24, 2010 02:42 AM

Lisa Stafford

Broken Arrow, Tulsa, McGraw Realtors - Broken Arrow, OK

Broken Arrow OK Homes For Sale

Carolyn - Yes it can make or break a deal!!

Karen - I agree about the wider shot. I was just trying to make a point here and cropped this one. Thanks for input.

Jul 24, 2010 02:48 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Lisa--Congrats on well-written post. Great pictures. Tell me how are you doing? I have been so busy with work that I did not have time for AR for last few months. I scrolled through a few of your posts. I am glad that you are still here & hope things are going well for you.

Jul 24, 2010 02:50 AM

Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO

Helping people Transition at all ages!

Lisa....Very nice post and right on point. I believe that first impressions are very difficult to change later. Making your home as inviting as possible at the first look will pay dividends in the long run.

Jul 24, 2010 07:25 AM

Anonymous

Francie Bomer

Right on! Even the smallest clutter amplifies in the online presence. 80-90% of buyers shop online first so it pays to have good photos! Thanks for a great post, Lisa!

Jul 24, 2010 08:16 AM

Lori Cain

Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK

Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

Lisa - great post!

I ask my Sellers to take photos, make suggested changes, then take a 2nd photo. When they compare the two THEMSELVES on their computer, they understand that less is better!

Jul 24, 2010 08:17 AM

John Thomas

E3 Green HOMES - Boulder, CO

EcoBroker, MSEE, MBA

Great advice...it is so true that most buyers look online first. It is extremely important to have quality photographs.

Jul 24, 2010 08:49 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Excellent example of before and after Lisa. It makes a HUGE difference and helping the sellers in this process is invaluable.

Jul 24, 2010 09:01 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Lisa - These are some great tips that sellers can apply to their home selling plan. Better yet, just hire Lisa Stafford!

Jul 24, 2010 01:21 PM

Steve Baklaich

RE/MAX Results St Cloud Mn real estate - Saint Cloud, MN

Treating Buyers & Sellers to Full Service Always.

I like the simple changes in the before and after pictures, your really got your point across. The suggestion to have them move things and take pictures to see the difference, is a wonderful idea. Have you ever used one of the wide shot cameras that are supposed to give a better view of the room online?

Jul 25, 2010 04:01 AM

Mary, I'm doing well.

Cara - I totally agree. Thanks

Lori - Doesn't it make such a difference when they are taking the pics. They see it much clearer.

John - So true and I'm still perfecting my photographic ability.

Anna Banana - Thanks girl.

Loreena - Some sellers don't want to take the time and I'm ready to help.

Steve - True. I haven't used the wide shot, but I do take wider pics than this. Just used this to illustrate.

Jul 25, 2010 09:17 AM

Katerina Gasset

The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT

Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Great article Lisa that provides tips on how to have a better First Impression Online and Off. This will surely comein handy as a reference. Thank you for sharing.

Jun 06, 2013 03:19 AM

Erika Rogers

Red Rock Real Estate ~ Southern Utah's Largest Independent Brokerage - Saint George, UT

St George Utah Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

Well written post that discusses on how to get that critical first impression when buyers looks at a home online. Thank you Lisa for sharing ans keep up the good work.

Jun 06, 2013 04:10 AM

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