What is the first thing people see when they come to look at your home? Your yard and other exterior features, of course. They see you lawn, your mailbox, your driveway, your plants and trees. They see the outside of your house.
The home buyer experience starts when the buyer(s) first see the property. If what they see isn't appealing enough to coax the potential buyer to leave the car, it doesn't matter what the inside of the home is like (unless the buyer's agent really knows the home and is can persuasively present a case for it). And even if the buyer(s) go in to look at the interior, they already have had their expectations set for poor maintenance and possible hidden problems. They will take a closer look at the interior, expecting to find problems, sometimes imagining them, that will discourage an offer.
Start from the street and look back at house. Are they shrubs that need trimming that obscure the view of the home? Does the lawn need mowing and weeding, or even re-seeding? Are there dead trees and shrubs that need to be removed? Are there fallen leaves that need raking.
How does the house look? Does it need painting? Are the gutters or shutters sagging? Is the driveway in good repair? Is pressure washing needed? How does that roof and chimney look? Pay close attention to door and window jams and thresholds. Are they mildewed? If so clean them up. Are there signs of dry rot or water damage? If so, have them repaired. Do they need painting? Go ahead and paint them.
Once everything is in good repair, add some inviting features. Place annuals around the mailbox, plant some shrubs, put annuals along walkways, mulch any flower beds, place flowers around the entrance. Provide some color and a cheery perception. Perception is everything with a buyer when they are looking.
The important thing, set the buyer's expectations. A well presented exterior makes a positive impression. It encourages the buyer to view the interior more positively. And, it increases the potential for both an offer and the amount of the offer.
First impressions, if they are very good, are an important step in getting from For Sale to Sold!
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