Partner Content
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This very popular quote is attributed to Oscar Wilde and Will Rogers – it’s unclear who said it first. This statement emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact when meeting someone for the first time.
We use it when a potential buyer “meets” a home for the first time. Whether online or in person, it’s critical we put YOUR best foot forward – hitting every sense and every space.
Here are our top FOUR favorite tips when getting ready for the big day:
1. Pare Down Furniture
The most important thing you can do to prepare your home for sale is to get rid of clutter. One of the major contributors to a cluttered look is having too much furniture. You want potential buyers to be able to move around each room without being blocked by furniture.
💡 Make sure they can easily access your home’s best features like the fireplace or built-in bookshelves, and make sure they can look out all the windows.
2. Pleasant Aromas Abound
A nice smell can have an immediate effect on the way we feel and think. We often don’t notice the subtle odors in our home that can come from things like our pets, mustiness that seeps in from the basement, or even lingering odors from last night’s dinner.
💡 Place a diffuser in the entryway to help make a positive first impression. In the kitchen, place a scented candle on the stove — think yummy smells like vanilla, sugar cookie, or strawberry.
3. Turn Up the Lights
One of the things that makes a home look so warm and welcoming is great lighting. Increase the wattage in your lamps and fixtures. Aim for a total of 100 watts for every 50 square feet. Don’t depend on just one or two light fixtures per room, either.
💡 Make sure you have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet, or reading), and accent (table and wall).
4. Make Bathrooms Shine
Scrub the bathrooms, then scrub them all again. Nothing will turn off a potential buyer more than a dirty bathroom. Remove hard-water stains from faucets, make sure there is no sign of mold, and remove clutter in the vanity and any other cabinets. Invest in new shower curtains, rugs, and bathmats (you can always take them with you when you move).
💡 When all that cleaning is done, create a spa look with fluffy white towels, candles, and a few fancy soaps.
It’s often said you have 7 seconds to make a first impression – if that holds true of houses as well – make sure you are partnering with a Team that knows how to meet that deadline of 7 seconds. (And we know JUST the Team that can make that happen.)
Some tips adapted from HGTV.com.
Team Honeycutt is nationally recognized and locally focused, Team Honeycutt was founded by Betty and Diane Honeycutt in 1990. Together they have built a team of Real Estate Professionals who compassionately change lives by exceeding expectations through integrity, commitment and community impact.
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