By Gene Wright
Real Estate Curb Appeal
In the old days (1980 bc "Before Computers") curb appeal used to mean the degree of appeal to prospective buyers when they looked at the exterior your home. The very first time they saw your home, and it's a preview for all of your home. But computers have changed all of this with the advent of Web sites like Realtor.com, Facebook, plus the local Realtor Web site with the house listed for sale.
Your home's appeal now begins a long time prior to a buyer even showing up at your front door. The process now begins online. And it is no longer only your front entry door that creates the atmosphere, it's your whole house that buyer's want to see, and long before ever coming to your home.
So the first point on the agenda: Make sure your house photos are taking advantage by showing your home from the absolute best point of view! The images real estate agents employ for a home Web site photo are critical. The best thing is to employ a professional home photographer specialist to photograph your home listed for sale, although if that's too expensive for you, there are a number things to think about. A short time ago Real Estate Blogger published an article citing the Top 10 Guidelines for adding photographs of your listed home for sale.
Included in the tips on the blog:Use a tripod. Not only will it allow you prevent the camera from shaking, but additionally it will let you to give attention to more important items like capturing that perfect shot.
Careful with the lighting. Do not turn on every light in the room, "halos" will form around the lamps in the room. Use a hot shoe bounce flash to create even lighting for your photos. Also, take pictures of the outside shady areas of the exterior gardens They look better than images shot in the intense sun.
Remove the clutter. And remove those personal photos, also.
Keep in mind:Those photos become your calling card. So if the photographs don't represent your home’s charm than potential buyers will never make it to the front door of your home. There’s always one more house and only a mouse click away!
After potential buyers are captivated by your photographs, you’ll need to assure the curb appeal of your home does not leave them flat when they show up in person.
Consider these important steps:
Be sure your front porch has ample lighting and sparkles with easy access. Sweep the porch, Webster those cobwebs, remove the finger smudges from the frame around the door, and polish up the hardware. Also if any paint is chipping or cracking, be sure and touch it up. De-clutter. Identical to your home's inside, the outside should also be clutter free.
Spruce up the landscaping. Cut back any landscaping overgrowth that makes it difficult to get to the front door. Take an impartial look. Seller's should actually walk out to the curb to view their house from the point of view of the buyer. This lets everyone grasp what should be taken care of.
Plant some flowers. There are blooming plants every season. Even if your front landscaping is not too close to the front door, a pot can always be placed near the front door with plants in bloom, even if just a few or only one.
I like terra cotta pots. These are the most flattering and neutral pot styles for all seasons. In the freezing weather it may be easier said than done to place fresh plants in bloom outdoors. So if this is difficult, be sure fresh flowers greet buyers once they enter the front door. Additionally, when selling a home during the winter months (and past the holidays), I like use blooming spring flowers instead of winter blooming plants as this is anticipation builder and creates spring joy.
So prior to the For Sale sign popping up in your front yard, prepare to place your home online. It's only then will your entire curb appeal be ready to reel in buyers! Aug 7, 2011
Selling Real Estate Books
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