Let's Talk Real Estate

We've all been told not to judge a book by its cover. But when it comes to houses, curb appeal is a big deal. Sure, having your home look as welcoming as possible helps to make a buyer feel good. But the condition of your home from the outside also sets a potential buyer's expectations for how it's been cared for inside. If there's visible trash, car parts, old toys, etc., people will unconsciously assume the inside has also been let go. But if your lawn is trimmed and you've done a little sprucing up, people will assume the home has been treated well. Some agents say buyers know before they walk into a house whether or not they're going to put in an offer. I wouldn't go that far. But I've definitely seen clients fall in love--and shut down--at first sight. That love-at-first-sight thing is powerful. If a buyer's heart sings at first glance, they'll be motivated to make a deal happen. So, here are some tips to get your place in heart...

Smell plays a much bigger role in our perception of things than we realize. It's the sense most closely linked to memory, so it can actually cause an emotional response in people. It also influences the part of the brain that affects our mood, so a "bad" smell can trigger a visceral response in how we feel. What does this mean for you when selling your home? You don't want it to smell bad to people. That's all. Of course, smell is largely individual. My wife loves the smell of tea rose; I think it smells like stinkbugs. On the other hand, who doesn't love the smell of baking cookies, which is why your realtor may put a batch in your oven if you have an open house. General Tips to Keep Your Home S(m)elling-Fresh Weather permitting, open windows around your house from time to time to air the place out. With the windows open, run your HVAC on fan mode for extra ventilation. Replace your HVAC filters, if it's time. Beware of scented room sprays ...