CHAPTER 3 Creating Curb Appeal
Someone said, “a stunning first impression was not the same thing as love at first sight. But surely it was an invitation to consider the matter.” This could not be truer than in selling a home. First impressions are powerful. Sometimes they are everything. Nothing sets the tone of a relationship or transaction more than first impressions, and those first impressions are formed quickly. Most prospective buyers form an opinion about a home within the first 7–10 seconds of arriving, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. “Curb appeal”—the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street—is as important as correct price-setting and is crucial to selling your home faster and for more money. Your well-prepared house might even catch the attention of buyers who weren’t attracted by the written description of your home, or who were simply driving by, even if they weren’t initially considering a home purchase. Curb appeal doesn’t only apply to drive-up home shoppers. Many buyers shop online first to see photos of the interior and the exterior. Having good curb appeal and attractive photos posted within your ad will help interest buyers right away, so that they’ll make an appointment with your real estate agent to come see your home. Sorry, but there’s no second chance to make a first impression. Whether cruising the web to view online photos from across the country or cruising by your home in the family SUV on a Sunday afternoon outing, home shoppers will decide at a glance whether they want to see more. So, consider what a potential home buyer 14
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