First Impressions: 5 Questions To Ask

You've decided to sell your house and have been told to get the house in tip-top shape.  You've spent hours fixing, decluttering and painting.  While most sellers are aware of the need to make the inside of their homes look their best, they often overlook the outside.  You may make sure the lawn is trimmed up and the sidewalk is swept, but do you really "see" what a buyer would see when first driving by your home?

Many house shoppers these days are independant, at least at the beginning of their shopping experience.  They look online for listings and then do a drive by the house.  What are they seeing?  You are used to living at your house and may not even notice some of the details but you can be sure that a buyer is looking at it from a different perspective. 

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself about your home:

1.  What story does my home tell? 

You may think of it as a refuge and safe haven.  But others looking with fresh eyes may see a different story.   Does your house say, "We're too busy to mow the lawn and touch up the paint on our house.  Don't bother looking inside, because you'll see the same thing."   Make sure your house tells them an inviting story, one that will make them want to take a second look. 

2.  When you drive up to your house, what do you see? 




Do you see overgrown shrubs and an unruly lawn?  Does your home feel nestled into its landscape?  Is your eye being drawn towards the front door and does it look inviting?   This, my friends, is called curb appeal.  Be sure your home has it!

3.  Where do visitors park, and how do they get to the front entrance from there?

Is there room in front of your house to park, either on the driveway or in the street?  Is the walk from the parking spot to the front entrance easily identifiable and enjoyable?  Can it be safely navigated in all kinds of weather? 

4.  What kinds of things are scattered about your yard on any given day?



Do visitors have to walk past garbage or recycling cans since pick up occurred that day? Are kids toys strewn all over the front yard? Are their “gifts” from your pets on the lawn? If the listing shows a sprinkler system, for example, do not have a sprinkler hose hanging out on the front lawn.  Be sure to pick up your yard each and every day and arrange to have your garbage and recycling cans pulled in if you can't be there to do it yourself.  In the back yard, be sure your deck or patio is organized and clutter free, just like your house, and be sure to clean surfaces and sweep.

5.  Is your house nicely lit at night?



Here in Minnesota from fall to spring, the chances of your house being shown in the dark after buyers are off of work is pretty high.  And sometimes people like to drive by in the dark just to see what the neighborhood looks like and how well lit your yard is (plus its easier to peek in the windows when it's dark outside).  Even if you live in a dimly lit neighborhood, be sure your house is a beacon of welcoming light.  Good lighting adds a romantic side to your home.  At the minimum, be sure to have your porch light on and outdoor garage lights, as well as warm glows coming from your windows.  But if you want to go the extra mile, put in lighted pathways and highlight landscape features using landscape lighting.  Buyers who are contemplating a purchase and doing an evening drive by for a bit of dreaming will fall in love!


Source:  Michelle Schwake, Stafford Family Realtors, and Styled, Staged and Sold blog.