Curb Appeal Counts - 3 Tips to Ensure Your House Makes the Best First Impression – Day or Night

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Curb Appeal Counts

Whether it’s the first day of class, a job interview, or a first date, the initial time you meet someone sets the tone for your future relationship. In fact, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. The same goes for selling your house. Potential buyers often search the internet for homes in neighborhoods they are interested in. They may even drive by, sometimes at night, to decide if your house could be their potential dream home. So, how your home looks, or its curb appeal, may determine if buyers will even consider taking a look inside.

So, make sure you don’t curb your buyer’s enthusiasm.
Follow these tips to make sure your house makes a good first impression.

Tip #1 - Clear the Clutter

Just like you did on the inside of your house, make sure to clean up and declutter your house and yard. Keep the grass mowed and trees and hedges trimmed. Roll garbage pails to where they will not be noticed and put the kid’s bikes and toys in the garage. Also, try to keep the driveway free of cars, at least during planned showings.


Tip #2 – Fix the Flaws

Peeling paint, missing roof tiles, and a cracked concrete driveway are all negatives that buyers will subtract from the purchase price. So, in order to get top dollar for your house, consider painting or at least touching up any areas that have faded or peeling paint. Also, repair and pressure clean the roof, and resurface the driveway, if necessary, to give the home a well-kept appearance. Finally, clean the gutters, doors and windows to give an added sparkle so buyers will see a clean, well-cared for home, not a dirty fixer upper.

Tip #3 – Light Up

 


On the inside, make sure all the lights are turned on and, if you have a fireplace, light it, or put candles in it to draw attention to this featured focal point. Also, just like the interior should look light and bright, so should the exterior, especially at night. Although sunlight is the best light to show your house, this may not always be convenient for buyers who work. So, when you have to show your house at night, be sure to turn on all exterior lights, ensuring they are free of cobwebs and bugs that will dim both the lights and your buyer’s enthusiasm. In addition, be sure to open the drapes and blinds so the interior lights show through to the outside, making the house appear even more inviting as buyer’s approach.

Because it’s often difficult to envision our houses through a buyer’s eyes. Check out these two videos to see what buyers see when they visit a house, day or night. 


Following these tips will help ensure that buyers actually make it to the inside of your house. Don’t let clutter, flaws or lack of light dim your chance of a possible sale

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