Adventures in Home Selling

Often when I’m out showing homes, there’s a “theme” to the tour. There was the “orange paint” tour, where about every other home in the $250,000 - $350,000 price point in the Bridgetown and Delhi Township areas had an orange colored area. Kitchens, finished basement, offices. There was the “didn’t they know we were coming?” tour in the Maineville and Hamilton Township area, just under $200,000, where every third house was a mess. Dishes in the sink, toys, clutter, unmade beds.  Yikes. Then there was the sticky lock tour where yours truly struggled with every old tumbler that made me look like I had never opened a front door before to my new buyers in the Hyde Park, Mt Lookout area. My “whiz bang” knowledge of the real estate market secured their business, in spite of the fact it appeared that I could barely manage opening a door.

Let’s talk about sticky locks and keys that barely work. I hate sticky locks.  Most homeowners come in through the garage, and rarely use the front door.  Many people don’t even carry a front door key. I will suggest that if your home is on the market, and you are one of those never carry a key people, you might want to start. I’ve had buyers lock the door between the garage and the house, and the sellers couldn’t get back in.  I love getting that call….NOT!

Standing at the front door, before we even enter a home, the buyers are quickly forming an impression about what they will see once I get that door open. If I’m standing there struggling with a sticky lock, they have time to assess the cobwebs, faded paint, dirt smudges, and bad landscaping. Your showing starts with my buyers at the front door. We can form a quick opinion about what we expect to see before entering the foyer. If I am standing in the cold, uttering bad words under my breath, while struggling with the lock, that doesn’t reflect nicely on either of us.

First impressions count. I have buyers make up their mind about a home in the foyer. I have buyers that formed an opinion on the porch, either good or negative, and ultimately, what we see inside backs it up.

Let’s start off on the right foot with your showings. Buyers, in any price range, are precious right now. Don’t loose them over a few cobwebs.

• Paint the front door a color with a little “punch”.  Red, Black, Green. A little contrast. Not too “matchy-matchy”.  Wood stained doors are attractive too if it reflects the rest of the homes décor.
• Replace the hardware. No sticky locks. Check the door knocker and kick plate. They should be fresh and welcoming. Check the condition of the porch light fixtures. Make sure they are not weather-aged and full of dead bugs. Ick.
• Mailbox. Is it attractive? Place flowers around the pole. The house numbers should be clear.
• Plants. Holiday Wreaths. Flowers on a small table on in pots. Get some color at the door! Make us want to come in!
• Kill the cobwebs. Knock down those bugs. Sweep the walk. It’s dark early now so consider installing solar power lighting system so we aren’t tripping over the cat.

Remember….buyers have more than enough homes to choose from right now. Don’t send us to the next home with cobwebs in our hair!