RealEstateConsumerInfo.com: April 2010

In today’s competitive housing market, sellers can create an exterior sanctuary to gain an advantage when selling. With consumers maintaining a tight grip on their purses, many are looking for ways to make their home environment more attractive and enjoyable. And with the warm summer months just ahead, appealing to American’s love of outdoor spaces can significantly increase a home’s charm.

 

Creating or updating areas for privacy, entertainment, play, or gardening will have an almost universal appeal, and it just may create the competitive edge needed to generate a sale. Much of the work is not necessarily expensive, with many projects requiring little more than a couple of weekend’s labor. And with the dramatic increase in vegetable gardening due to the recession as well as a concern for food safety, home sellers have a great opportunity to appeal to those with an interest in growing their own food.

 

Of course, it’s not as simple as buying some play equipment or a new barbecue grill. For the greatest “bang for the buck” such projects should be well-planned and executed, and should be designed to appeal to a wide audience.

 

I’ve listed a few simple projects that are both inexpensive and attractive:

● Expanded deck or patio

● Pergolas, trellises, or garden gates

● Fire pits or chiminea

● Koi pond or other water feature

● Separate cooking and entertainment areas

● Low maintenance planting beds with colorful native plants

● Distinctive seating and dining areas with temporary or permanent shading

● Well-maintained herb and vegetable garden

 

Those whose homes justify the extra expense might consider:

● An outdoor fireplace

● Built in grill and counter space

● Outdoor appliances

 

Sellers who would like to try this technique must remember to make the area appealing from inside the home as well and to place the most attractive areas where they are readily visible from as many interior vantage points as possible. With a little effort an average yard can be transformed into an outdoor retreat, separating a home from its competition; and it just might be the advantage to take a home from “For Sale” to “Sold.”

 

The Housing Guru: The one source for all your housing questions

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Holliston MA Real Estate

                                                                                                                                                           

In the Metrowest Massachusetts area where I am located it is pretty rare to see an accompanied showing. In towards Boston it becomes much more common place. Some areas around the country have them and others don’t.

Why? Who knows but more than likely it has to do with tradition. I am glad the policy has never caught on in my neck of the woods.

Frankly an accompanied showing is a waste of a listing agents time and does nothing to facilitate a sale.

There is a long standing misconception amongst some folks that Realtors “sell homes”. Folks I have rarely ever “sold” a home in this sense of the word to anyone. Homes are an emotional purchase. They are not something a Realtor talks  somebody into buying. Realtors can be guides and give advice but homes sell themselves. Sometimes when a buyer walks into a home you can just feel that it is perfect for them and they will end up purchasing the place. This happens because of human emotion and attachment. It has very little to do with a sales pitch.

In twenty four years I have never talked someone into buying a home! This is where some sellers have misguided thoughts about the purpose of an accompanied showing. For some reason people think if a buyer does not notice some feature about the home and it’s  not pointed out,  it would cause the sale not to happen. Sorry this is not the case. Pointing out the nitty gritty is not a difference maker to most buyers.

The fancy security system, beveled edges on the the granite counters, and cherry inlay on the dining room floor will not be the reason for someone buying a home. Even in million dollar homes that have every conceivable feature and amenity it is not a listing agent waving a red flag in front of a buyers face that is going to seal the deal. Emotion sells, people do not at least not in Real Estate.

While the need for accompanied showings is rare they can actually be a detriment to the seller for a number of reasons. We use lock boxes here in Massachusetts for a reason! A lock box allows a Realtor to easily gain access to a property without hindrance.

When a seller requires an accompanied showing they are now adding the possibility of scheduling conflicts.

                                                                                                                                                           

I for one am a very busy Realtor. If I have to try and coordinate my schedule with another Realtors, the possibility exists there will be a missed showing for the seller. A missed showing is a missed opportunity!

There have been times over the years where I have not been able to work my schedule around another agents and the buyer ended up purchasing something else before ever rescheduling to see the missed home.

If more Realtors educated their clients on why accompanied showings are a big mistake, instead of worrying that they won’t get the listing without complying with the sellers demands, sellers would much better off.

I for one would love it if sellers actually placed a recorder in their home to hear what some listing agents say as buyers are walking from room to room.  I am not kidding! Things like “here is the kitchen”. Really? If there was not a dishwasher, stove and cabinets I never would have known. Thanks for being here to guide me. This may sound funny but I am being completely serious. There is no value in this.

I know for a fact based on my experience that most buyers and their Realtors do not want a listing agent at a showing.

It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere where the buyer can not speak freely about the property with their agent.  The situation can actually  become unbearable if the listing agent is giving a hard sell. Buyers absolutely hate this. It is actually only slightly better than the seller being there and following you around like a puppy dog.

As a great compromise to some sellers who really want an accompanied showing, I suggest it is done if there is a 2nd showing and only if the buyer does not mind. A second showing of course is an indicator that there could be more than just casual interest. The interest level can usually be confirmed by speaking with the buyers agent. Some buyers at this point may not have a problem with the listing agent being there especially if they have some unanswered questions.

Remember Real Estate is a numbers game. Don’t let an accompanied showing get in the way of selling your home.

Related Real Estate Articles:

How NOT to sell a Massachusetts home

Real Estate pricing ending in 900 may or may not be a good idea

Real Estate commissions agent bonus and unethical Realtors

Handling offers when selling a home

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About the Author: The above Real Estate information on accompanied showings in Real Estate do not sell homes was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356.

Have a home to sell in Metrowest Mass? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

For Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate and homes see Massachusetts Real Estate. Want to have MLS access to beat other buyers to your dream home? Sign up with no obligation at my MLS Property Finder Site.

I service the following towns in and around Metrowest Massachusetts: Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Northboro, Shrewsbury, Hopedale, Medway, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Franklin, Framingham and Douglas MA.

Click here to view Bill Gassett's Real Estate profile.

 

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It seems like things are getting tougher and tougher in the world of real estate. More and more "for sales" are popping up, interest rates have creeped up a bit, the buyer tax credit is nearing its end, and short sales and foreclosures continue to spatter the inventory. And yet, it is still difficult for some to accept that no one is immune from the rippling effects of these conditions.

Those of us who are in the business of residential real estate sales hear it all the time. "I need to net this amount of money, so I need to price my house here." If only it worked that way. But it doesn't. It simply doesn't.

In this complicated market, prices continue to drop. In our area, we rarely see a home sell for its assessed value anymore, much less fair market value. So if a seller is selling within a couple of years of buying and has made minimal improvements, if any, chances are they will not be making a profit. No matter what is wanted or "needed" to net from the sale, the buyer will determine what the home's value is.

Remember that today's buyers are pretty savvy -- they know what you paid. They know what the assessed and fair market values are. They know what comparable homes in the neighborhood have sold for. And they know that home values have fallen over the past few years and unfortunately continue to do so.

If your goal really is to sell your house, you must price it appropriately. A buyer doesn't care how much you need or want to walk away with at the closing table. So price it to sell, not to sit.

 

One of the joys of the listing presentation is going over "updates" the seller has performed over the years. Sellers are often shocked that just because something cost "X" it doesn't mean you can add that to the value of the home. Here are some of the more interesting updates I have seen.

1) The forty thousand dollar pool-- This pool was Awesome! I wanted to shuck down to boxers and go swimming right then! But...There was no backyard, literally you open the back door and there is the pool. Also, houses in the neighborhood were selling for the 150's. Some of them had pools. the odds of convincing a buyer (much less and appraiser) of a 190k price was slim. Not to mention about 1/2 my buyers won't even look at homes with pools.

2) Converting the garage-- Click your heels together three times and presto! Your garage is now a game room! More often than not these look terrible! Nothing like stepping up to go into the kitchen! And my personal favorite...when the updates end in the garage. Nothing like modern features in one room and wall to wall shag in the rest.

3) Do it yourself and save a buck---Love the grout lines that don't quiet line up. Nothing says class louder than laminate floors with 2 inch gaps! Most folks are FAR BETTER off updating one room at a time with a professional than doing it themselves.

4) The leaning fence--I love the wood privacy fences that resemble a scoliosis victim! A crooked fence is about as useful as a crooked politician! Again, save our money and hire a professional when you can!

In today's market few /if any upgrades offer a dollar for dollar return on imvestment. Upgrade because you want to, not to enhance your bottom line. And by all means, call a professional!

 

 

1. Staying home for the appraisal. The Appraiser is licensed by the state and is required to perform an unbiased appraisal. Offering cookies, charm or discussion about why your home is VALUABLE will not help the appraisal.. After the appraisal is done the mortgage company almost always reviews the appraisal from afar. In other words, if the Appraiser inflated your home by 3% the Underwriter would likely catch it and order a new appraisal. The loan would be delayed and the buyer may become paranoid about buying the home all together. Simply put, don't be home trying to aid the Appraiser.

2. Painting window seals is usually a sign the seller is painting over holes where termites have eaten. The wisest thing to do is replace the wood, disclose the situation on your sellers disclosure and treat the area. Of course, get advice from a Termite professional.

3. Offering "closing costs assistance" on the MLS is like saying.. "We Sell Cheese With Our Pizzas!" out front of  your local pizza parlor. WE KNOW. It's understood that the seller will be either providing a concession or reducing their price to some point. The promoting of closing costs help is over used and no longer effective.

4. JUST REDUCED signs on your real estate sign or on the MLS makes you look desperate, unable to sell, and unwanted. Imagine going to a dating website and seeing someones profile picture that had a banner above their head that read....... Passed Over Again.

5. I always shake my head when I see a home reduced by $1,500.00. People look for homes priced in increments of 5, 10, and 20 thousand dollars. If you were priced at 295k and decided to reduce to 291k then that would be a perfect example of doing nothing but simply giving money away. You have to DROP to 290k that way you can be viewed by buyers and their agents in a whole new price bracket.

6. IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SELLING then try to NEVER decline a showing. Buyers and buyers agents really don't care if the dishes haven't been cleaned. We REALLY just want to see the floor-plan, rooms and so on. If your daughter is sick, fine, but allow us to see the REST of the home. We'll work around it. Sometimes a seller being home for this reason is understandable.

7. SILLY REQUESTS prevent you from selling! Requesting a 30 minute or 1 hour window can get you passed on. Our showing service give us a TWO hour time slot to see a list of homes, usually 8. If your home has a very specific and narrow window, we may not be able to logistically work around your requests. The homes are mapped out on paper in a sequential order to provide a quick route to see as many homes in as little as time as possible.

8. You might like the scent of sugar cookies, but not everyone else does. Imagine if the candle has been burning for an hour before we show up. The living room is overbearing and almost nauseating to SOME buyers. Same goes with cinnamon, pumpkin spice and so forth. The best thing is a squirt or two of Fabreeze. A non scented product is best.

9. People WILL use your bathroom. Provide TP, Soap, towels and such. Discard any Hustler magazines, Tabloids, Muscle or Monster truck mags too. People love to "figure out the seller." While it may not matter, it's best to keep things clean, simple and orderly.

10. YES your home smells like DOG. Dog's pee, crap, pass gas and do other animal type things. You likely don't brush their teeth after every meal and they probably don't get 2 showers a day. Many buyers do not like pet odor. Plain & Simple. SMOKE OUTSIDE & THROW AWAY butts.

11. It's best to remove political items that could turn buyers off. I once showed a buyer who noticed a book about HITLER and the 3rd Reich. After seeing this book he noticed an entire wall of books about Adolf, Germany and other potent stuff that pissed him off. We left the house immediately.

12. If you're going to leave the radio on it's wise to leave it on a station that doesn't play offensive music. Any song that sings about running from cops, gettn jiggy with it or smoking drugs may turn off a succor mom or the older couple that won't find it as cool or amusing. In Houston we have 99.1 a contemporary adult radio station.

13. It's never a bright idea to leave your bills, paperwork from your listing agent, divorce attorney or cpa laying out on the breakfast table!

14. Shotguns, pistols, swords, knives, beat sticks, numb chucks, wipes, Chinese stars, brass knuckles should ALL be be stowed away. I've seen EVERYONE of these in houses. It's BAD because it's associated with death, violence and unhappy thoughts. Most Texans have a small bunker of weapons, and that's understandable, but PUT THEM AWAY when selling your home! We don't want to see a loaded .357 on top of the fridge.

15. Hunters just don't get it. A slew of dead heads on all the walls in the house is a ENORMOUS turn off. A stuffed bobcat with a bird in it's paw isn't cute, cool or neat; it's a foolish and arrogant way of saying..... "I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK." You are proud of your kill and that's fine, but use some common sense.

16. Trampolines, above the ground pools, punching bags in the breakfast room, 88 pairs of shoes by the front door are not okay. Put them all away...

 

NOBODY and I MEAN NOBODY likes above the ground pools. If you're thinking about selling I suggest you poke a hole in that sucker and drain the water. You enjoyed it, now throw it away. It actually TURNS OFF BUYERS!!!  No above the ground pool is worth showing off when selling.

 

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Greg Nino is Licensed Real Estate agent & Team Leader for GT & Associates. We proudly serve all of Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria & FT. Bend County. Our expertise & professional services are available 7 days a week.

This blog and its content is copyright of Greg Nino and GT & Associates 2010. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:  you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only. You may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge Greg Nino as the source of the material You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system without obtaining Greg Nino's permission.

 

 

I'm a Realtor in Plainfield, Illinois. I specialize in short sales and foreclosures, so I'm no stranger to the aftermath that can be found within the confines of a former "home". I've seen some really destroyed places; sledge hammers to the walls, feces on the floors of every room, rotting food on the floors and counter tops, obscenities on the walls, roaches, abandoned pets, burst pipes, and the worst thing I've ever seen done by a homeowner who lost their home to foreclosure... they completely booby trapped the entire house.

It was a disgruntled homeowner in my neighborhood who pulled all of the live electric wires to the fuse box to the house, and then flooded the basement. If it weren't for the warning they were "kind" enough to leave on the basement door leading to the basement, someone could have really gotten hurt, or worse, killed. No matter how angry you are, how could you purposely and willingly set out to hurt another human being to that degree? It's something I don't think I'll ever understand.

As I mentioned around Christmas time, the first home Tony and I ever owned (and used sweat equity to build) went into foreclosure. We sold it about a year and a half before the market peaked. The homeowners who bought it treated it like an ATM instead of a home. 6 months into owning it, they took out a $50,000 line of credit. When they ended up in the middle of a divorce late last year there wasn't any equity left for them to sell. (They must not have known about doing a short sale...)

We only moved about 1/2 a mile away from our previous home when we moved into our current home. We built this house because we knew we needed more space, but we didn't want to move Mark around in school after switching him the year prior from a private school. Now, I'm not so convinced it matters anymore, but at the time it was one of my main concerns. It was just a lucky coincidence that a local area builder was completing an adjoining subdivision in our vicinity.

It was exactly like the house I just listed at 2503 Joe Adler Dr. that I posted pictures of earlier this week... a beautiful 4 bedroom 2 bath raised ranch that we put all of our blood, sweat, and tears into. We moved so far from where we were raised when we bought it, but we were SO proud of our first home. With the cards stacked against us, we crawled our way to the top. We earned every penny of the equity we had in that house when we sold it, by working hard and making good choices.

I loved that house... and I knew better than to go back and peek inside the windows today, but I had a dream about that house this week, and it finally got the best of me. My friend Laura lives across the street from our old house on Peyla Ln. so I knocked on her door today to make sure they weren't living there anymore. When I told her I was going to run across the street to peek in the windows, she told me to hold on... she was going to get her shoes!

There wasn't much to see from the front, other than the lack of attention to the yard and landscaping. The back of the house... on the other hand, told a completely different story.

It broke my heart to see what lay inside.

The kitchen cabinets had been removed. The garbage... OH, the garbage! The carpet had been removed, along with the wooden spindles on the wall that opened to the foyer. The appliances had all been stripped, and the reminder of their presence was echoed by the outlines of paint that now hold their place. The paint on the walls of the family room was still the same from when it once belonged to us, and I remember they day we painted it... and how pretty it looked that night when we put that room back together.

The playroom we made for the kids was now littered with dozens and dozens of Modelo beer cans and yes, more garbage. The cabinetry we added for toys were ripped from the walls. The cheery little room we made for kids to play happily in... was now a dumpster of angry intentions.

I honestly have to say that if I had any indication that the happy little house we once called home would have been victim to this foreclosure mess... I'm not sure I would have left. Don't get me wrong, I love our home now, but there's just something about your first home.

I'm guilty of personifying inanimate objects, places, and things. I think that's what causes me to be somewhat of a pack rat at times. I've gotten better... and no, I'm not a hoarder, ('only cause I tell myself that's what crazy cat ladies do!) BUT, I feel like I let that pretty & happy little house of ours down...

I let someone have it that didn't love it as much as we did.

Someone that didn't care about the hallway that Nathalie and Eric took their first steps in.

Someone that will never know that Mark got his first two quarters from the tooth fairy one night in June, in the bedroom in the front of the house.

Someone that didn't care that my dad, sick as he was with cancer at the time... helped us paint and prime all of the drywall before we moved in.

Someone that will never know how much my heart broke the night I cried into a pillow in my room the night my father died... and for the weeks and months that followed.

Someone that didn't care about the upgrades that Tony's parents surprised us with, that they paid the builder directly for, before we closed.

Someone that had no idea how hard we worked to put in a new ceramic floor in the kitchen, or to build a two car garage by putting money into a savings account for 2 years.

Someone that never saw how hard we struggled to keep our house when Tony lost his job and health insurance one Spring, when I was 7 months pregnant with Eric. Nothing on this Earth would have kept me from finding a way to keep that roof over our heads... nothing.

Someone that didn't care that we took a leap of faith and started over somewhere new with a shoestring budget and caviar dreams, and made it home.

I know it's not our home anymore, but it still hurt to see what someone else has done to it. It's going to be sad to go back inside when it comes back on the market. I will torture myself one more time. I have to.

Of course I'm a real estate agent. Of course I am! I know that "home" is more than drywall and plaster. It's where you hang your heart, and where your heart's been hung. My memories don't belong to 6613 Peyla Ln... but that address belongs to my memory and my heart.

This home we live in now, will be our home until we grow old, God willing. I'm a girl with roots, and jumping around is not my thing. I hope that my kids will always remember their roots and have the same attachment to home and family that I have. Home can be anywhere that we're all at together, and no matter what the future brings, we are in it 100%.

I'd rather have a shell of a home, than a shell of a family. Sure, we'll never be perfect... but we'll always be together. Tony is one Hell of a guy, I tell ya. He is my rock and my best friend.

We are fierce together... just like fire and ice.

Home will always be wherever we are together... but that doesn't necessarily mean we don't leave an eentsy-weentsy bit of ourselves behind when we go; or take a little piece of it with us when we leave.

What does home mean to you? What's your story?

One of the most common questions homebuyers ask me as we're walking around the inside of homes they're considering is "What Should I Be Looking for in the House?"  This question arises most commonly among first-time buyers who haven't spent much time previously exploring houses.

Since everyone has different interests, needs, and desires, answering this question can be somewhat difficult.

Nevertheless, here's a handy-dandy guide for prospective homebuyers of things you should be looking for and things not to worry about too much while trekking through OPH.

Oh, sorry, OPH stands for Other People's Homes.

All of the following presumes that you already like the location of the house.  Location remains the upmost priority in all home searches.  That's one thing you definitely cannot change.

WHAT SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR IN THE HOUSE?

• Is there enough space for all your stuff?  That's an important one.  Only you know what you've got.  While moving can be a great time to pare down your belongings and finally throw away some of those trinkets cluttering your closet and weighing down your drawers, the first rule of house is that we accumulate stuff to fill it.  Make sure to Swing Open the Closet Doors!
  
  
• Does the house fit your lifestyle?  If you fancy yourself a gourmet chef, you'd better like the kitchen.  Enjoy catching a few rays of sun?  You're going to want a balcony, deck, patio, or big backyard.  Entertain?  Flow is important.  Trouble with stairs?  You might need a 1st floor master bedroom, a rambler, or an elevator.
  
  
• Will someone else like it?  While this is going to be YOUR home, you always have to consider resale value.  You might think you're going to be in this home forever, but statistics say you'll only be there for 5-7 years tops.  Think about the future.
  
  
• Are there major noticeable problems?  When we walk through homes together, we're looking to see if you like it or not.  We're not conducting a home inspection -- leave that for the home inspector.  However, sometimes you can readily see obvious serious problems with a home.  You'll know it when you see it.  During an initial look, we don't need to test every appliance and system.
  
  
• Do you like it?  Do you love it?  Do you see yourself living there?  This one's a bit more esoteric.  Sometimes you just have to ditch the logic and ask yourself these questions.  Even the most analytical and discriminating home buyers use their emotions.  After all, you're not a Vulcan!  3 years from now you won't remember your housing pros and cons list you painstakingly created but you'll surely be able to tell people why you love your home.

WHAT CAN I IGNORE WHILE LOOKING AT THE HOUSE?

• Paint and carpet.  Unless it's a total disaster, don't worry about it.  Paint and carpet are typically the first things that go when someone new moves in.  They're easy fixes and relatively inexpensive.  If you love the house but hate the pink bathroom, a can of paint and a Saturday afternoon can work wonders. 
  
  
• Kitchen appliances.  Okay, don't totally ignore them, because you might have to live with them for a while.  As long as they are functional, alright.  While not cheap, you can buy a full set of nice stainless steel appliances for ~$3,500.  You don't like the green fridge?  Nobody else does either, but hey you're a homeowner now and your friends are still renting.
  
  
• Electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, etc.  The systems.  These are going to be examined thoroughly by the home inspector.  That's why you're paying for a home inspection.  Unless you see a major problem like missing or exposed wires, disconnected pipes, etc., wait for the home inspection to test the systems.  On this trip, we're not going to be in the home long enough to see if the heat pump works.  And, unless you're buying the house as-is, you are protected by Mighty Paragraph 7. 
  
  
• Their furniture and stuff.  It can sometimes be very hard to ignore especially in a cluttered house or condo.  However, just remember that their stuff does not come with the house.  They'll be emptying it all out before you move in your stuff (see above).  However, seeing how much stuff they have and how well their furniture fits can serve as a guideline for how well yours will. 

 

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Misconception: If you pay list price, you're paying too much.

If you don't know what the current market value is for homes in the area and whether the market is appreciating or depreciating, you don't know what a fair price is and you're likely to miss out on a great deal by trying to low ball a house that's already priced well.

If the house meets your goals, is within your budget, and is priced competitively, it's a bargain and you should make a strong offer. Get assistance from a professional to help you recognize a good deal and grab it before it's gone.

 Misconception: Foreclosures and short sales are the best buys. 

Many buyers find out the hard way that foreclosures and short sales are full of headaches, may need extensive repairs, require great patience over an extended period, often don't have the criteria that's most important to you, and may never close. 

Short sales abound in Tallahassee and many people are starting to avoid them because the pain isn't worth the gain.  Foreclosures can be less troublesome, but often in poor condition with challenges that may take longer than normal to resolve.  Market prices have corrected in many places, including Tallahassee, and it's possible to find great deals in homes that are priced like short sales, but don't have the headaches.

Misconception You get a better price if you buy directly from the owner.

Bargain hunters sometimes avoid Realtors, thinking that they will get a better price if they buy directly from a FSBO.  Meanwhile, the sellers are also trying to save on the commission, so they're not getting expert advice either and often price their homes above market value. 

The end result is often that a buyer pays too much or the FSBO is unable to get the house sold. A savvy Realtor working on the buyer's behalf, armed with market data and great negotiation skills, is much more likely to get a great deal than buyers can by negotiating for themselves.

If you're buying a house, it's a great idea to find a good Realtor and listen to their advice.

Do you know which door is the most important door when it comes to marketing your house for sale?  It's the door that potential buyers will be using to enter your house.  It's the door where the infamous  "first impression" is made.

Which door will potential buyers be using?  I'm surprised at how many sellers have not given this question any thought.  I'm even more surprised at how many Realtors are not prepared with an answer when I ask the question.

I begin all of my home staging consultations at the entryway, the door that buyers will be using.   I've found that, for the most part, the decision of which door the Realtor will use has not been discussed prior to my arrival. 

I find this interesting because it should be an important part of the marketing plan when selling a house.

Buyers will decide within the first ten seconds of entering the house whether they are interested in it or not.  After that they are looking to validate their first impression.  This means if their gut feeling upon entering is negative, they will walk room to room looking for reasons not to like the house. 

If they are impressed and find it appealing immediately upon stepping inside, they will carry their excitement throughout, looking for more reasons to love the house.

As a general rule, the front door is considered the formal entry...used by most agents for showings.  However, it is not always the best choice when selling.  Every house is different and several factors should be considered.

Some things to consider:

• accessibility from parking
• condition of walkway leading to the door
• positive and negative landscaping conditions 
• the architectural features of the house
• overall appeal immediately upon entering
• other rooms viewable from the entryway

Choose the entry door wisely.  Start in your driveway and walk towards the door, and see what it looks like from a buyer's point of view.  Prepare the area leading up to, surrounding, and inside the door as if your sale depends on it...because chances are it does.

 

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