Psychologists have determined that most people take only a tenth of a second to form an impression after meeting someone new.1 It’s likely that prospective buyers are sizing up your home in much the same way, so it’s crucial to ensure your listing makes a good first impression on home buyers.
Set the groundwork for a good first impression by wowing interested buyers before they even see inside. Here are five simple steps you can follow to boost your home’s curb appeal and make your listing stand out.
1. Spruce things up
The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply when it comes to home buying. Peeling paint, dead flowers and excess plant growth can indicate to buyers that your home has not been properly cared for and would require considerable renovation work — both outside and inside.
Take the time to spruce up the exterior of your home by refinishing any areas with faded or peeling paint, fixing loose patio stones and noticeable asphalt cracks, clearing dead flowers and leaves from the lawn and gardens, trimming back overgrown trees and hedges and pulling garden weeds. If you’re going to repaint, check out the exclusive discounts on Dulux Paints for Edvantage members.
2. Keep it clean
Before your listing photos are taken, you’ll want to do a deep clean of the exterior of your home. This includes pressure washing all windows, patios and decks, cleaning out eavestroughs and downspouts and polishing doorknobs and fixtures. Make sure to keep your home sparkling clean even after your listing photos are taken, as you never know when you’ll receive a last-minute showing request!
3. Think light and bright
Planting bright flowers in your home’s front gardens is a great way to breathe new life into your home’s exterior. Potted plants and hanging baskets are a quick and easy alternative for sellers who don’t have much of a green thumb.
Take a look at the exterior of your home after the sun goes down. If an interested buyer were to drive by your home at night, you want to ensure that they see a well-lit and inviting exterior. Installing solar-powered lamps in your home’s gardens and along the walkway to the front door will keep your home looking bright and welcoming at all times of the day and night.
4. Add a personal touch
When it comes to staging a home, many sellers forget to consider the importance of staging their home’s exterior as well as the interior. A wreath, rug or lanterns that are a similar style to the interior of your home’s design help to tie everything together in a thoughtful way.
Does your home have a front patio or large porch? Consider staging it with a stylish patio set complete with mindful touches like decorative throw pillows or a vase of fresh flowers. This sends the message to prospective buyers that your home has been well cared for and helps them to envision themselves living there.
5. Clear away clutter
While personal touches are a nice way to add character to your home, be careful not to overdo it. Take a look at the decorations adorning your home’s exterior. Ask yourself if they contribute to the overall atmosphere you are trying to create for your home. Do they match your home’s interior style of decoration in a thoughtful way? Do they enhance your home’s selling features, such as a large front patio or tasteful landscaping design? If not, you may want to think about removing these items. You want your home’s exterior to look as large and open as possible. This also means keeping your home’s exterior free of clutter such as gardening debris, lawn tools, sporting equipment and children’s or pets’ toys at all times.
Putting your home on the market this season? Be sure to keep your insurance broker in the loop. Not only does your broker need to be informed when you move, but they can help answer questions about insuring your new home. Contact your OTIP insurance broker at 1-800-267-6847 to discuss your coverage options or call 1-866-561-5559 to get a quote for home insurance.
If you’re also in the market to buy a home, check out Manulife Bank’s special offer for Edvantage members with their all-in-one Manulife One mortgage, daily banking and line of credit.
1. Association for Psychological Science