Curb Appeal

Great Ways To Give Your Open House That Special Touch

They say nothing sticks quite like a first impression, and as real estate agents we know this fact all too well. A prospective buyer will have made up their mind for the most part within the first 30 seconds of seeing a house in person. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of every impression you can make if you want to get top dollar and interest for your newly listed property.

Everyone has their own tips and tricks, and of course there is on one-size-fits-all solution for getting buyers interested in your listing. With a bit of experience you’ll get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t, as well as which techniques you can employ to make an otherwise bland listing remarkable. Here are some things you can try, or simply use as inspiration for your next open house:

Beautify The Curb

The front yard and front of the house are the first things that a prospective buyer will see when they arrive at the property, this much is fundamental. If the curb appeal of the property you’re showing simply isn’t up to snuff then don’t sweat, there are things you can do to make it work better for you. A super quick fix is to put some potted plants near the front door, preferably with colorful complementary flowers. There’s no reason why you can’t bury some plants either, or install some temporary lighting if it’s later in the season.

Utilize Sense of Smell

As a prospective buyer walks through the door you can subconsciously make them feel more welcome by infusing aromas throughout the house. Subtlety is key here, a strong aroma can be downright offensive and headache inducing. Plus, if the odor is quite strong they might be wondering what you’re hiding. Opt instead for an oil diffuser or perhaps bake some cookies in the oven just prior to showing. This also gives them something to snack on – more on that in a bit.

Bring In Staging Furniture

While it’s a bit on the costly side it can be incredibly helpful to bring in some staging furniture when you’re showing the house. Even if the previous owner loved their house the way it was, they probably don’t have the eye of a true interior designer. By bringing in a professional who knows how to make the interior look its best, you can really show prospective buyers the full potential of a property.

Offer Some Snacks

What better way to make people feel welcome in an unfamiliar home than to offer them something to eat and drink when they enter. Even something as simple as some bottled water will do the trick, but there’s nothing wrong with some snacks either. Cookies, small sandwiches, pastries, etc. are all great offerings. Avoid crumbly foods that may make a mess to make your life easier after the showing.

Make A Personal Connection

There’s nothing quite like a human connection, and even if your tired or stressed you can’t put off the important step of making a connection with any prospective buyers. Ask them about their search – what are they looking for, why they want to move, etc. Try to find ways you can match this property to their needs. Make sure to smile and make eye contact as always, and really make them feel comfortable with the house that they are in.

How To Plan Your Front Yard To Wow

 There are several tips that you can use when you plan your front yard to wow. 

Walkway 

The first tip is to make a walkway. Basically, this is how your guests are going to be able to get to your front door. Sometimes this is going to be in the form of stepping stones. But if the stepping stones are too small and set too far apart. Therefore, they are not going to be very comfortable to step on. This means that it is going to be better for you to create a whole walkway so that all of your guests are going to be comfortable when entering into your home. 

Space 

The second tip is to create an outdoor space that is inviting to all of your guests. Make this the place where you are going to be able to entertain all of your guests or a place where you can just relax when you want to. You can plant a bed full of beautiful trees, perennials, and flowering shrubs. These are things that are going to grow throughout the year. It might also be a good idea to add some accents to your garden with some annuals. All of these things are going to make your outdoor space look inviting to everyone of your guests that come to your home. 

Scale 

The third tip is to create some scale. This can be done when you plant some flowering beds in your garden. You want to make sure that they are going to fit the size of your home because you don’t want it to overcome the home. You can start with a small yard and go from there. But you are going to need to find a space where you are going to be able to plant a variety of plants in the garden. This is the best way that you are going to be able to create your garden on a larger scale. 

Interest 

The fourth tip is to create interest in your garden that is going to last all year. You can choose from a wide variety of plants that are going to bloom throughout the year. Therefore, you are going to need to come up with a plan for all of your plants. You can start off with the spring bulbs and then transition to the perennials that are going to work great during the summer months. Some of the favorites during the fall are going to include grasses and mums. It is also a good idea to plant some trees and shrubs that are going to work in the winter months so that during the winter, your garden is not going to lose interest. 

Annuals 

The fifth tip is to add accent to your garden with annuals. This means that you are going to need to leave some space in your garden to celebrate all four of the seasons. If you are wanting to add a lot of interest in your garden, then you plant some tulips in the spring, daises in the summer, and peppers in the fall. Plus you can change the colors of these each year so that you never have to worry about your garden ever losing interest. 

Surfaces 

The sixth tip is to create some soften hard surfaces. The best way to do this is to plant up some containers on your patio, along the stone walls, or on your front stoops. The containers are going to be very welcoming when they are on your patio or the stoop. This is going to be especially true when it comes to your driveway. This is because it is going to allow your driveway to reach your home in a more inviting way. 

These are the top six tips that you can use when you are trying to plan out your front yard so that it is going to have a wow factor.