During my career I had many occasions to interview and hire job applicants. I well recall how my first impression of the candidates impacted my eventual decision.
When offering your home for sale, that same first impression formed by a prospective purchaser, can dramatically influence the outcome of your efforts.
As we move firmly into a Buyers’ Market, the inventory of homes for sale continues to grow. For the seller, that means more competition. Other than ensuring that the listed price is truly representative of the market, the astute seller can gain a significant competitive edge by presenting his home as a jewel that stands out among many.
Showcasing a single family dwelling must start with its street appeal. A few weekends of effort dressing up the front lawn and garden, power-washing the driveway, and even perhaps painting the entrance-way and garage doors, can make a huge difference to a buyer’s first impression.
If your yard and garage are cluttered with stored materials, either get rid of them or rent a storage locker to remove them from your property. A buyer wants to visualize enjoying an attractive outdoor space and parking his vehicle with ease. Your clutter detracts from his ability to do that.
Inside your home, a clean and uncluttered environment is vital. You’re planning to move anyway, so before listing, pack away those knick-knacks and place them in storage. Remove excess furniture and personal photographs. Your objective is to encourage the buyer to visualize his family comfortably fitting into and living in your home. The smaller the interior space, the more important it is to minimize the appearance of confinement. Present your living space — and closets — as roomy and flexible as possible.
Remember also, almost every offer you may eventually receive will be made with the condition that it pass an independent professional inspection, to the “sole satisfaction of the buyer”. A seller is well-advised to address outstanding maintenance issues before listing. The fewer issues identified by an inspector, the more likely the potential buyer will be to proceed with the purchase. The last thing a buyer wants when considering the purchase of a home is a list of problems or deficiencies — with unknown price tags.
Some of us have the ability to stage our own home for great visual appeal. However, the rest of us cannot be objective enough to visualize our home through a prospective buyer’s eyes. After all, if the home has been perfect for us, why would it not be for others? Consult with your realtor, or consider hiring a professional stager.
Perhaps you are not handy, or you lack the time to do the necessary work. Hire a gardener, painter or handyman to get the job done. Whether selling an average-priced condominium at $350,000, a townhome at $450,000, or a single-family home at $615,000, investing some time and if necessary, a few thousand dollars, to present your home to its best advantage, can yield great returns. Not only will you improve your chance of attracting serious buyers, but also you are more likely to achieve the best possible price.
Of some 4,600 Greater Victoria properties offered for sale in April, only about 13 per cent of that number sold during the month. A seller in today’s softening market needs every competitive advantage possible. Price is key, but so is the best-possible presentation of the property being offered.
A retired corporate executive, enjoying post-retirement as a financial consultant, Peter Dolezal is the author of three books. His most recent, The Smart Canadian Wealth-Builder, is now available at Tanner’s Books, and in other bookstores.
