Today I want to share with you some insight on why the buyer’s first impression of your home is so important, and what you as the seller can do to save potential showing loses.
Along the Emerald Coast we have several markets that are considered seller’s markets. This means there’s less than six months of inventory and in many cases there’s less than three months of inventory.
Even though the inventory levels may be down, and that’s usually really good for a seller, the buyers are still very, very particular about that property that they’re going to make an offer on. They are going to want the property to still be in primo condition.
Curb Appeal
Your curb appeal is still very important because when they pull up that’s the first impression you get, and you know we only get one chance at a first impression.
If an agent and their buyer drive up and all of a sudden the buyer says, “I don’t think I want to go in that house”, it’s a little embarrassing. I’ve had that happen with my own customers and it’s a little awkward because what if the seller’s is home?
Some sellers want to stay at home because they have a pet and plan to take the dog out for a walk during the showing. What if you’re sitting at the window and you see us drive off?
It’s really important that you want to get the curb appeal so that when buyers pull up they really want to get out of the car and then they’re coming to the front door.
What Many Sellers Miss In The Process
Here’s what I find many sellers miss: they are trying so hard to get the interior complete that they do not realize that it’s just as important to have the exterior complete, especially at that front entrance.
There you are with your agent and she’s fumbling with her keys, the lock box and her cell phone. While that’s happening, what do you think your customers are doing? Mr. And Mrs. Buyer are looking around!
They’re checking everything out including those little cobwebs up there in the corner. Or there’s some little dust bunnies in another corner. How about that front door? Yeah, it probably could have used a fresh coat of paint but you didn’t really think it was all that bad. Yeah, they’re seeing it’s faded, and a little worn.
This Is What Goes Through The Buyer’s Mind
“Hmm, if they didn’t take care of the exterior, what’s the interior like?”
That’s what starts happening and then you’ve got to make sure that when they come in there’s still that WOW factor.
Number One
- It’s really important to make them get out of the car.
Number Two
- You want them to come through that front door. All that interior stuff still needs to be done, the toilet seats down, everything in it’s place, and the cabinets clean and clear.
The most important thing that I’m finding is that first impression at the front door. So go out, stand and study your front door and just look around. You be the critical buyer and if you see some issues that need to be addressed, now’s the time to do them.