First Impressions Matter

Spaces February 14, 2011

First impressions matter 

It is widely accepted that a lasting first impression is made in 30 seconds or less, perhaps as little at 7 seconds.  Whether you are meeting the date of your dreams, or searching for the home of your dreams the initial presentation counts! 

Over 80% of home/condo buyers start their search online at national sites, or local ones.  In either case the buyer is creating their first impression from the photos and descriptions available.  The exterior “curb appeal” must present a welcoming face to the buyer – shining windows, great doorway, nice building, landscaping and decorating that shows it off well. 

Decorating or staging your home is critical to position your home as better than the competition at that price.   This can be as simple as rearranging furniture, subtracting items and adding current fashion touches, or hiring a professional to refurnish and redecorate rooms or the entire home.  

A few of the easy and inexpensive tips are:

·         Clean and shine everything.  Add lamps that bounce light off the ceilings.  Use light curtains open to the clean windows.

·         Put away personal items while removing clutter and out of season items from the closets and rooms. 

·         Paint and make minor repairs.

·         Use colorful accessories such as pillows, vases, and rugs.  Keep the background more neutral so the buyer can see the space and how they will occupy it.

·         Arrange furniture for easy traffic flow and obvious uses.  Avoid blocking doorways and using rugs that trip.

·         Keep kitchen counters clean and clear of all items, including the front of the refrigerator.

·         Get new matching towels, bathmat and shower curtain.  Put away your personal items.  Shine and clean every bathroom surface.

·         Display fresh flowers that complement your color scheme.

·         Treat your outdoor space as a room in the home with its’ own décor.

·         Make the home inviting to buyers and give them enough space to see themselves living there.

Bucktown/Wicker Park closings this past week***: One detached single family home at 1439 N Elk Grove, 4 bedroom 4 ½ bath stunning contemporary for $1,475,000.  One attached single family 1919 W Crystal Unit 203, 2 bedroom 2 bath contemporary duplex $447,000.

*** Information sourced from MREDLLC; 2/13/11. Attached Property and Detached Property residential Bucktown (Ashland, Western, Fullerton, North) and WickerPark (Ashland, Western, North, Division)

Have a topic you’d like to see explored or a real estate question send it in. 

If you’d like more information on properties currently on the market or selling your home just drop me a note at EvaB@atproperties.com