The First Impression is the Most Important
Your Harcourts consultant will organize some simple tips to help show your property off to its best advantage. Apart from the more obvious ones like making sure your garden, grounds and exterior are well maintained it’s often the little things which can make a big difference. And first impressions count. Amazingly, it is estimated that over 50% of houses are sold even before the prospective buyers open your front door. The immediate ‘road appeal’ can have a huge visual and emotional impact and create a large influence on the way your property is perceived upon closer inspection. While every property has good points, most have aspects that would benefit from improvement. Presentation is everything … and it’s often what sells the emotional appeal of a property.
Here are a few practical ways in which you can make an instant, positive impression.
- Ensure your pets are secured so that they won’t annoy visitors.
- Attend to any maintenance jobs such as sticking doors or windows, dripping taps, broken light switches, cracked glass in windows.
- A general spring clean will freshen up the look of the home.
- Ensure your kitchen is spotless and the working areas are uncluttered.
- Evaluate the outside paintwork, wash house and fences if needed.
- Water blast paths and decks to present a clean tidy look.
- Bathrooms and toilets should be gleaming – a dish of scented potpourri or soaps add a nice touch.
- Make sure wardrobes are tidy, make the beds.
- Mirrors in smaller rooms can also convey a feeling of spaciousness.
- Place freshly cut flowers throughout your home.
- Interesting knick knacks, books or artwork in feature areas can encourage visitors to linger.
- Turn the radio or TV off in favour of a restful CD.
- Outside lighting is a must for evening inspections.
- Make sure the temperature inside is comfortable.
- Don’t hover around – it potentially may make visitors uncomfortable.
A Final Checklist…
- Open blinds and curtains.
- Open windows to let in the fresh air.
- Check your flower arrangements.
- Turn on lights in dark rooms or at night and light the fire in winter.
- Display your best towels in the bathroom.
- Clean and straighten rugs.
- Vacuum and dust each room.
- Empty rubbish bins, tidy grounds and gardens.
- Pick up any dirty clothes.
- Deodorise pet areas and secure pets.