You only get one chance at a first impression.
The truism applies not only in life, but when selling your home, says Joan Herlong of Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty.
“It’s what’s known as ‘curb appeal,’” Herlong said. “Think of curb appeal as the gift wrap, which builds anticipation, because the better the wrapping, the better the gift.”
And curb appeal begins with the front yard, and the front door.
“If you get a buyer interested enough to see the home, the front door and entrance should be pristine — no peeling paint, no cobwebs, no planters filled with dead plants,” she said. “Even if you don’t use the front door, you’d better make it seem like you do.”
Therefore, front doors should be freshly painted, and feature a seasonal wreath. Planters should be filled with living, well-tended arrangements.
And the yard should be in great shape, too, with fresh mulch in the beds.
“Nobody is going to pay top dollar for a home that has a needy front yard,” she said.
But curb appeal is not just in-person, it’s online.
“A study by the Wall Street Journal found that homebuyers swipe left or right depending on the first digital impressions made by online photos and videos,” Herlong said. “And a chronic mistake among inexperienced listing agents is failing to lead with the home’s greatest feature. It’s like a comedian swallowing the punch line.”
If a home features a fantastic mountain view, lead with it. If it’s the heavenly lakefront location, lead with that.
Make sure the listing agent hires a professional photographer and videographer.
“I want my listings to be memorable, and because Sotheby’s International Realty requires professional photography, it’s de rigueur,” she said. “If you work for my company, our clients are hiring a professional.”
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