The Secret to Listings That WOW — Every Time
First impressions matter, especially when prospective buyers walk through the door of a listing. Wow them with these tips.
An online listing is a lot like a good dating profile. Showing off the best aspects of a property can make a great first impression and attract buyers to find out more. But, like the dating app, the home must live up to its online promise when seen in person.
Listing agents who’ve done their homework on current decorative trends, cost-effective home-improvement projects and simple staging can guide sellers in preparing for a power listing.
“[Real estate sellers] must embrace the importance of showing the home’s potential for new residents rather than showing off the lifestyle they are preparing to depart,” says Lisa Rooks Morris of the LRM Group with Douglas Elliman in Sarasota. “It’s an emotional hurdle for some owners, but it’s a critical step in preparing to list.”
Morris walks through the home with the seller to make a room-by-room list of actions that will make the home appear fresh, clean and welcoming. With a less-is-more approach, she encourages them to be ruthless in removing highly stylized or sentimental items and clutter from every room.
Attending to maintenance inside and out is a priority ranging from fixing obvious defects to improving or replacing items. Research shows that a fresh coat of paint, refinishing wood floors and replacing carpets result in the biggest return on investment.
“I recently worked with a seller of a waterfront four-bedroom home who took the time to do minor paint touch-ups, conceal cords, remove extra furniture to provide a greater sense of space and extract all personal items,” says Morris. “Their efforts paid off as the home had tremendous activity and sold within a matter of days.”
Investing in professional staging adds another dimension to selling high-end homes. Costs ranging up to thousands of dollars create the impression of the wonderful lifestyle featured in glossy magazines and film. Morris recalls a $5 million home that languished in the market for six months. After spending $25,000 for professional staging, it went to contract in a week, close to asking price.
Click! Prep for pics
High-quality professional real estate photography—rather than amateur cell-phone pictures—showcases details in the online presentation to make the home more marketable.
Options range from traditional interior and exterior photos to virtual staging and drone shots. Properties come to life with pictures highlighting architectural features, open floor plans and charming decor.
Knowing what to exclude is also important to minimize distractions. No pictures of toilets, especially with the lid up or small bathrooms loaded with too many towels. “We don’t use photos of clothes closets unless they are exceptionally well-fitted,” says Julie Guirguis.
Tips on prepping for photography:
- Ensure every light fixture is turned on and has a working light bulb.
- Declutter and remove personal items, including photos and knickknacks.
- Store pet-related items, remotes and chargers and hide cords/cables.
- Curate attractive decorative items on shelving and display areas.
Don't forget the outside!
Julie Guirguis, a team member with the LRM Group and executive director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman in Sarasota, says her experience with sellers in prepping homes has helped achieve above-listing offers. Boosting the curb appeal with a clean, welcoming appearance can have a big impact when a potential buyer views photos online or drives by the property. Rear gardens also require attention to ensure that the grass is cut regularly, trees are pruned and clean patio furniture is arranged invitingly.
Here are some tips for the exterior:
- Move trash cans and recreational items, such as bikes, out of sight.
- Make sure the exterior is clean. Suggest that sellers invest in pressure washing the front of the home, walkways/driveways and wash the windows.
- Clean up the front (and rear) yard by pruning overgrown plants, removing weeds and dead foliage and planting colorful seasonal plants.
Easy fixes with big impact
Seller not ready to make major improvements? Try these simple and relatively inexpensive fixes that can make a huge difference in how attractive the home looks.
1. Make it sparkly clean. A clean home is essential for making a sale. Buyers are turned off by a messy or smelly house, so sellers should arrange deep cleaning. Refer them to online advice on ways to tackle lingering animal aromas or stale smoke smells.
2. Throw some paint on it or remove wallpaper. Suggest removing dated features, such as flocked wallpaper or shag carpets, before a house goes on the market. Painting colorful walls in neutral colors or palettes gives a more timeless feel and appeals to more people.
3. Get rid of old tech. Get rid of outdated electronics, security systems, old intercoms and central vacuum installations.
4. Light it up. Lighting can completely change the mood of a space. Replace outdated light fixtures with reasonably priced contemporary fixtures, LED bulbs and energy-saving dimmers. Consider adding floor and table lamps to a room.
5. Curate the accessories. Use the design elements of simple staging to give a sense of a lived-in home with carefully curated accessories. Hang some attractive artwork. Add colorful throw pillows and place fresh houseplants in living rooms. Check your local thrift shop for some great options!
Helen Hill is a South Florida-based freelance writer.