Have you ever heard the old saying, "You only get one chance to make a first impression"? Well, it's true. And the same applies to your home. If potential buyers pull up to your home and see an unkept yard, paint pealing, weeds abounding, dirty windows, do you think they're going to want to see your house? I have driven up to houses and had that very thought myself. "I don't even want to see it". Staging starts in your front yard. Here are a few tips.
1. Make sure your grass is mowed and neatly groomed. Remove grass clippings and spend a little extra time edging the driveway and walkways. In the fall, make sure the leaves are cleared away.
2. In the winter, make sure all walkways and your driveway have been cleared of snow. Throw a little salt down to melt any ice in the walkways. You don't want someone falling while trying to view your home.
3. If its seasonally appropriate, plant flowers. Always add a pop of red or yellow if you can.
4. Trim all bushes and trees. Make sure they are not impeding on the walkways or the windows.
5. Have a fountain in your front yard? Make sure it's clean & functional and turn it on. If not, remove it.
6. Have a pet who likes to use the front yard to do it's "job"? Make sure it is ALL removed.
7. If your paint is pealing or chipping, PAINT! No one wants to buy a house and think that the first thing they need to do when they move in is to paint the house. In fact, they probably won't buy your house. Sometimes you have to spend a money to make a money.
8. Make sure your windows are clean....especially the front door.
9. I tell all my clients to spend time staging their front entrance. This is SO important. You want people to feel drawn into your home. If you have a large front porch, think of adding a couple or chairs or rocking chairs. Flowers in pots flanking the front door is a nice idea. Add a seasonal wreath to your front door. You can easily add a wreath to your front glass door with a suction cup of magnetic hooks found at Hobby Lobby & Mulhalls Nursery. Remember one rule, "Less is more". Don't overdo it.
10. Change out tired and outdated coach and porch lights. $100 could do it depending on your choices.
11. House numbers looking shabby? Replace them. There are so many kinds to choose from. Avoid the large wooden numbers. That's so 80's.
Staging the front of your home may not guarantee the sale, but I can just about guarantee you it will draw in the Buyers. If the outside is messy and uncared for, Buyers will assume the same about the inside of the house. So.....start with the front of your home.
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