While I have enjoyed working with many of you throughout 2007 and look forward to working with even more of you in 2008, I do want to leave you with one more piece of advice. This may seem simple and insignificant, but I assure you it is the first step and a very key step in the selling of a property. In two words, Curb Appeal.
Curb appeal is synonymous with the “first impression” for your home. When you meet a person face-to-face, 93% of how you are judged is based on non-verbal data. In addition, 70% of sales are made in the first 12 second. Relating this information to your home for sale, a potential buyer’s mind is set into motion long before even reaching the front door. A freshly mowed lawn, cleanly laid mulch and well groomed shrubbery shows that you not only take great care of your yard, but more importantly you take great care of your home. It also sets the mood for the entire showing and compels the potential buyer to look for the extraordinary features in you home, rather than examining the property for additional oversights.
I’ll be the first to tell you I have had clients that have pulled up to a home that is high on their list and decides not to go inside based on what they are able to see from the car window. Even if I can convince them to continue with the showing, their minds have been made up. I take very seriously the presentation of my listings from the point someone pulls into the driveway. I feel very confident this is one of the reasons my listing sell far below the regional average and can not stress enough how much it will help you.
