How to Sell Your House in Any Market - Make Your Home Irresistible to Buyers - Part 2

First impressions are made in a couple of seconds. 

With a home for sale, some of that first impression has already been made before prospective buyers are even in the door. That's why curb appeal is so important, as I mentioned in my previous article. But you also need to take into account the first few seconds when buyers are forming an impression of the interior of your house. This means that your front door and foyer area are the key to bringing your prospective buyers in with a positive frame of mind rather than a negative one. You want them to be thinking "Yes, I could live here..." and not "Uh-oh!"

Sparkling Clean

Entryways tend to attract a lot of grime and clutter. It's just a fact of dealing with a high-traffic area and people coming in from outside. Make sure that the small details around the door get a thorough cleaning, including the door itself, walls and baseboards, and don't forget the inside of the door frame, which can attract a lot of dirt. Get rid of all surface clutter (that spare set of keys needs to go somewhere else), and set up a system so that incoming mail gets dealt with promptly.

Splurge If You Can

Your house-dressing dollars can have a lot of impact here. If the floor needs some work, consider having it refinished or replaced if you can, or else splurge on a luxury carpet. A fresh coat of paint in a soft neutral color may also be a good idea, especially if you've been living with dark, patterned, or dated wall choices. Also, nothing says upscale quite like a vase of fresh flowers on the entry table.

Fine Furniture

Look at the furniture in your foyer. Do you have a nice entry table, possibly with an elegant tray for organizing keys and mail? If there is suitable space, consider a bench or chair as well, and a large foyer might feature an armoire or storage chest too. If you're not buying new furniture for your entryway, check to see whether it needs some pre-viewing maintenance. To give that impression of class and luxury, you don't want worn-looking furniture making your first impression. Does the wood need some furniture polish? Does the upholstery need a steam-cleaning? If anything still looks shabby, it may be worth replacing (and you get to take it with you).

Lighting Magic

Warm, attractive lighting will give your entryway its final magic touch. Look up and see what's overhead. No bare bulbs or seventies chandeliers, right? Think about replacing a dated-looking light fixture, and if the existing fixture is fine, make sure it's dust-free and none of the bulbs are burnt out. You can also add a little extra glow with a standing or table lamp. Finally, a mirror on the wall will reflect light and space, making your foyer seem bigger and brighter than it is.

Hallways & Stairs

From the point of view of a first impression, anything you can see, including hallways and stairs, is part of the entryway. De-clutter and dress them as you would your foyer.

 When There Is No Foyer

Many of the newer houses and townhomes in the real estate market for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody are designed on a more open plan where there is no actual foyer area, and the front door opens right into a living room, great room, or family room. Just keep in mind that the needs for an entrance area are the same wherever the door is. You can easily create a foyer space with just a well-lit table and a tray for mail and keys.

If you can make a positive first impression on your prospective buyers, they'll be predisposed to like what they see as they move through the home you're selling. My next article will take you through the specifics of dressing your main living spaces, and then we'll move on to bedrooms, the home office and storage  with easy and inexpensive money making tips for real estate marketing. Then we'll get into dressing special properties such as vacation homes, rental properties, vacant homes, and talk about flipping homes. We'll conclude with tips about putting your best foot forward at show time.

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