When first impressions count, it's the simple things that matter
When it comes to selling your home, there are three areas you need to consider: preparation, presentation and the marketing campaign.
The core principle when it comes to a sale or purchase of anything is, of course, that first impressions count. You achieve the best return based on a positive impression and we buy based on the perceptions that we have of the product or object.
So why do real estate agents believe selling a home, property and real estate is any different?
When thinking about selling your home and when you are contemplating how to obtain the most value in the sale, consider both the need to eliminate as many objections as possible and secondly, engage a real estate agent that understands how to prepare the home so that the first impression does count in your favour.
Not all real state agents are apt in preparing a home for sale. Unfortunately their interest mostly lays in the commission alone and not in obtaining the best value for your property.
The sales process is simple and it starts with the marketing campaign. However, most real estate agents are unsure how to begin. The better real estate professionals will engage stylists and other professionals to assist with the process. Preparing the home and making the first impression starts with the main aspect, the front appearance of the property. Typically what buyers see when they first approach the property.
Simple tips to take into account when preparing the front yard and front aspect of the home. These tips are straightforward; yet they render a huge difference to the home’s perceived value. I have broken the costs down based on the services I have used here in Sydney, Australia:
- Take care of the lawns and edges. The estimated cost may range from $50-$150 on average across Sydney.
- Weed garden beds, trim the hedges and add bark. The estimated cost ranges from $200-$400 across Sydney.
- Pressure clean the driveway and footpaths leading to the front door. The estimated costs may range from $200-$500 on average across Sydney.
- Pressure clean the roof area visible to the front. The estimated cost ranges from, $250-$600 across Sydney.
Therefore, at an average expenditure of under a couple thousand dollars, you have just added tens of thousands of dollars value to the home. Not only do these simple tips add value, they add character and charm in a simple way.
Our aim as agents is to engage the buyer’s emotion from the moment they view the photos and video on online property portals. This is further enhanced when they walk up to the front of the home, see colour and presentable gardens.
Be mindful that a buyer’s objections are bargaining chips to drive the price down. As agents and vendors, we have to eliminate as many objections as possible to maintain the value and differentiate your home from others in the area that have been badly prepared for the sales and their marketing campaigns.
It’s the simple things that matter and first impressions count.
EDWIN ALMEIDA is licensee in charge of Just Think Real Estate.
He is also the creator of Oz Real Estate.TV and a presenter for propertyinvestingvault.com.