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The Outside Needs to Look Just as Good as The Inside

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA

Many times it's the combination of factors that attract someone to a listing. I usually use cars as analogies. For example, if you have a car that you want to sell, and it's dirty, smells, has bald tires, foggy windows, back seat and trunk are full of junk, empty fast food bags, etc. and is priced at $5000.00. Then an almost idendical car is for sale a 1/4 mile down the street. It is clean and waxed, has new tires, new inspection sticker, clean glass, inside had been vaccumed and deodorized, the trunk is spotless and empty, no trash is visible anywhere in the car, and it is priced at $5500.00. Which car do you think will sell faster? The second higher price car will. It says " I have had a good owner who took good care of me. If you buy me, I'm move in ready, and you shouldn't have any problems with me".

 The first car will get passed by, because if the outside looks bad, many people won't even bother to look at the inside. The inside might be beautiful, but many people will never see it. When you see a well maintained exterior, you can usually bet you will find a well maintained interior.

 If this tulip was wilted and leaning over, I wouldn't have been interested at looking at the inside. But since the outside look fresh, clean, and healthly, it attracted me to take a closer look at the inside!tulip

Jeff Pearl | Lic in VA

Remax Distinctive

703-727-4876

Homes | Land | Farms | Historic

www.jeffpearlhomes.com

Equal Housing

Trumps Elite
Keller Williams Realty Acadiana - Lafayette, LA
Realtors/Career Consultant

Great article- very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 18, 2015 11:40 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

It's true that it needs to have nice burb appeal when you arrive... or when buyers drive by after seeing on line.  Sadly the neighbor's upkeep or lack thereof can also be a factor.

Apr 18, 2015 11:44 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Good point, Jeff..   I see a lot of For Sale signs that say, "I am gorgeous inside!".  Uh, how about fixing up the outside to make it more appealing to Buyers?

Apr 18, 2015 12:52 PM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Jeff, great analogies.

I was in Annapolis, MD this evening; today was the 33rd Annual St Johns - US Naval Acadamy Croquet Match.  We were just there for an art opening (yes...the Virginia trip you've suggested is still in the plans), but most everyone in town was under 30 and most everyone was dressed in their Croquet Match finery.

It was fun to see everyone trying to impress everyone else in the hopes of getting invitations for more time spent together.  I felt like a Dad watching everyone trying to see and be seen.

That works for people, for flowers, for cars....and for homes. So very much for homes.

Apr 18, 2015 02:23 PM
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

#1- Hi Elite Team, Thanks, and thanks for follow.

#2- Hi Tammy, True, one bad looking house can affect surrounding houses appeal.

#3- Hi Fred, I've seen that rider as well, and many times I ask " Too bad about the outside". In real estate, people do judge a book by it's cover.

#4- Hi Claude, Sounds like a great evening! Yes, dress to impress works in homes as well.

Apr 18, 2015 09:20 PM