Spring is fast approaching. That means many buyers will be looking for their desired home. Sellers, on the other hand, will try to make their property look as alluring as possible. Where to start? With the exterior, of course.
Most sellers will instinctively renovate their home’s interior. However, the buyer’s first visual contact is with the exterior, either directly or through pictures on social media sites.
Most buyers will contact the seller or their real estate broker if they see a picture of a property they like. If the facade and landscaping are unattractive, the buyer may move to the next picture, unless the pictures inside are incredible. If the buyer is physically facing the house, he or she will keep on going and move on to the next property.
The sellers’ primary goal is to multiply the pool of buyers to get the best possible price. To do this, they must persuade every buyer to walk through their door or at least contact them. Buyers who are pleased with the exterior of the home will certainly do. If the outside looks nice, the interior must be too. In their minds, behind an attractive exterior lies an interior full of promises.
How many times have we heard this phrase? “Falling in love with a house is like falling in love with someone!” In front of a good-looking home, the buyer will want to explore the house’s surroundings, know its history, visit each room, one after another.
It’s often many elements joined together that make the difference. What are these elements? To find out, there is something you could do. Go for a walk in your neighbourhood and the surrounding areas. Ask yourself why you stopped in front of this or that facade. Try discovering the elements that held you back and encourage you to enjoy the pleasant outdoor environment.
Which home facade distinguishes itself from the others in a neighbourhood? Could it be the windows, the entrance, the cleanliness of the place, the vibrant colours, the play of light, the civic number that is well lit and mounted on a decorative plate (very practical at night), the curtains inside, the lantern outside, the ecological pavement, the carved stone, the picket fence surrounding the yard, the pleasant trail or the floral bed?
Do the opposite, too. Ask yourself why this or that facade does not please you. Why does it make you flee? This way, you won’t repeat the same mistakes with your home. Write down everything in a notebook or on your smartphone. Go back home and examine the exterior of your home and landscaping all around.
Ask your friends (your true friends) how they see your property’s facade and landscaping. Would they stop and consider your home if there was a “for sale” sign in front of it?
If you are looking for an honest opinion, you can also rely on your real estate broker. This is also part of brokers’ job. Never forget they are passionate about homes. Brokers see dozens of facades every day. They know what sells well, and what does not. They know the colours that are currently in demand. They know which landscaping designs are the most popular.
Here is a final tip: favour work you can do with your family. Do chores. Trade labour with your friends. Your expense costs will be lower, and your profit will be higher.
Images: iStock.com