If you have not already read Part One, I recommend you begin there:
How do I sell my house? Part One.
Get Home Buyers Excited
After taking the time to properly prepare your home for sale, you now have to continue the effort to attract the prospective buyers to your home!
Your house looks shiny and new! You feel pretty confident about the price and your agent. So what are the next steps to really get the buyers excited?
I know you have seen (or at least are aware of) all of the addicting television shows featuring house hunting, home flipping, and home renovations. These shows have changed the real estate industry. They have shifted our society's expectations into wanting a 'turn-key', designer home.
Sellers need to be aware of this expectation and make an effort to give buyers the perception that their property is a great investment with the potential to meet their vision.
Here are three keys to capture a buyer's interest!
1. Professional Photography
This is SO important! Over 90% of home buyers begin their home search online. They are browsing behind a screen in a dream world.
If you did not take the time to properly prepare your home for sale and then went ahead and snapped some photos with your cell phone, I can guarantee your property will get less online engagement.
I roll my eyes every time I come across property photos online that are dark, laundry on the bed, toys on the floor, dishes on the counter, taken off center, and obviously with a cell phone.
Now, I get it... you still live there! My house is far from a show house on a daily basis! I have two kids and can barely finish cleaning one room before they are right behind me making a new mess. HOWEVER, you need to put on a show when you are trying to sell your property.
Your property photos need to capture a buyers attention! They want to be excited about your house before they arrive. You or your agent should hire a professional photographer, OR if you own a nice camera and have a good eye, make sure to set it on a tripod and photograph in good light.
GREAT PHOTOS will increase the number of showings. GREAT PRESENTATION will increase the opportunity for a quick sale.
2. Maintain the Property Presentation
You put in a ton of hard work to get your home 'photo ready'. Once the beautiful photos are posted, buyers eyes light up! They get excited and quickly schedule a showing so they can come see this beautiful home in person.
When they come to tour the property, they have an expectation in mind of what they are walking in to. How dissapointed would they be if you let the house go? The clutter crept back in, the dishes piled up, the floors gathered some dust bunnies.
A buyer's experience when visiting the home should compliment the photos they have been scrolling through all day long.
Showings can pop up at a moments notice. Selling your home needs to be treated almost like a second job! Every day you will need to go room by room to make sure it is 'show ready'.
It's definitely not easy and will be exhausting, but it will pay off!
3. Appeal to the sense of smell!
I've been through many properties over the years. When I bring a client through a house that smells like last night's dinner... it is an immediate turn off!
The other big odor problem that I find is if the home is vacant. The doors and windows remain closed all day. The home can get pretty stale and it smacks you in the face when you first walk in!
Take the simple steps necessary to rid the home of any unpleasant odors such as taking out the garbage frequently and keeping your refrigerator clean. I also recommend opening up the windows and letting the fresh air into the home! Even if it's a cold day, just let the air move through the home for a few minutes.
Be careful when it comes to scented candles, flowers, or sprays. Choose a gentle scent that is likely to appeal to most. Sometimes I walk into a home and the perfumed aroma's are way too strong.
I once hosted an open house at a gorgeous property where the owner had purchased some fresh cut flowers to display at the entry. They were beautiful, but the scent was very strong. I also found that I was quite allergic to them! As were some of the buyers that came through! Our conversations were cut off as they went running out the door for fresh air. Strong scents can sometimes leave the opposite impression!
You do not want to regret not making an effort to put your property in the best light. I know many individuals who would shrug off these suggestions because they are either not motivated enough, or they simply don't see the value in the effort. That is obviously your decision to make! However, if you are serious about selling your property. If you want to attract as many buyers as possible. If you have pride in your home. Then it would be wise to take the advice!