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First Impressions

By Mary Courtney

So many times in our lives we have been reminded that: “you only have one chance to make a good first impression.” This is something that I have known to be very important, and never more so than when we are preparing our homes to be listed for sale.

When a prospective buyer steps out of their car what do they see? A home well cared for, suitably decorated in tasteful colors, well maintained landscaping, nothing needing repair, and free of clutter. That should be the goal. Unfortunately we sometimes fail to see what others do, and of course having lived in the home and furnished it with cherished possessions, we often cannot look at everything with a neutral and critical eye. Yet we must.

A buyer wants to see how this house can become their home. They visualize how they will live here, will they love living in this house with their family and sharing it with their friends. Can this be the home that will nurture and enrich their life?

Now is the time, and believe me you will really appreciate this later on, to remove much of what has accumulated over the years. Pack away all the personal items, the favorite collections, the “stuff” that has been put in every cupboard and closet. Keep remembering that you are preparing the home you have loved to be a gift for someone else.

Not only will this minimize packing up once the house is sold, but it will give a much better presentation to everyone coming into your home. Fix all the problems, clean absolutely everywhere, make your home as spotless and clutter free as possible. A prospective buyer will quickly be aware of how much work will have to be done to get it into shape, don’t let that become a long list, take care of details.

A good idea is to ask a professional to walk through the property and home and give you their impression of what they see needs to be done. An unbiased critical eye here is what is needed. What should be removed, repaired, repainted, or replaced.

What are the focal points and are they highlighted. It may be a certain view out of a window or perhaps an architectural element, every home has special features that should be a focus of attention.
You want your home to be sold quickly and at the best price and this is where your efforts can bring good results.

We all really know this but it isn’t always easy to do. Just think, you and your family are ready for a new home, a new time in your lives, so go forward with enthusiasm and take care of the details that will show your house at it’s very best. Make that first impression a great one!

Mary Courtney
Interior Design
www.marycourtneydesigns.com