Did you know that 65% of potential buyers wouldn’t even consider a second viewing if your home failed to make a good first impression. Add to that the 31% of homeowners who were found to offer up to 10% less than the asking price for these properties - then obviously making a good first impression is key when selling your home.
In an ideal world, we would be able to book the weather. Scheduling the rain two days before your viewing, so that the flowers in the garden look extra fresh and turn the grass, a lush emerald green. Unfortunately, we can’t always count on the weather to play it’s part, but there are plenty of other ways to ensure your property has the desired kerb appeal.
We asked our Poole sales team for their top tips for making a great first impression.
1. Kerb appeal of your home starts when you decide to list
Even before buyers have booked a viewing they will have researched your property online to see if it’s suitable for their needs. So ensuring the front of your house is looking its best for your photographer is the first important step. Take a critical look at your door furniture and front garden, if you have one, and look to make them as neat and tidy as possible.
Although your bin store and wheelie bins are essential to the running of your home they don’t photograph well! So try and keep them out of shot, pop them in your garage or purchase an inexpensive screen to reduce the impact on the exterior of your home.
2. Maintenance
Not everyone wants to purchase a property that needs immediate attention so spending a little time and money fixing roof tiles, cleaning guttering and cleaning windows may save you time and money in the long run. Prospective buyers will see that your property has been well-maintained if the roof and windows are in good condition.
3. Gardens
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden don’t forget to keep your lawn mowed, paving stones clean and your plants in good condition. If you’re not a gardener you can easily pick up inexpensive bedding plants at the supermarket to add colour to your garden. Adding hanging baskets with a simple bracket can make a big impact too.
4. Inside - keep it neutral
Give any areas that need it a fresh coat of paint with a neutral colour. Most buyers can see past your furniture and bright colours but some can’t, so make it as easy as possible for them to envisage living in your property. A higher wattage lightbulb can also make all the difference to the presentation of your home.
5. Quick fixes are key
Similarly, how you present your home can impact your viewing. Spaces that are cluttered or contain too many personal objects can be very distracting for the homebuyer and make your rooms appear smaller than they are. Keeping your spaces clutter free or removing excess pieces of furniture can give the appearance of space and light.
6. We’re here to help
Our experts help hundreds of people sell their homes every year so they can easily offer that critical eye if you need a second opinion. As part of the viewing process we ask your prospective buyers for feedback on your property so be prepared to respond to this to ensure a sale. This is not a reflection of your personal style and interior design mainly a way to help you to appeal to as many buyers as you can.
If you’re looking to list your property, contact our sales team for an initial valuation (you can also do this online) and advice on how best to improve your own kerb appeal - and remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression!