Packaging That Sells

It’s easy to see why companies spend so much money on making their products look attractive. Looks do count. And the stakes are high when it comes to making sure your home gives a good first impression.

Let’s suppose you’re shopping. You reach for a package and discover the box is damaged or looks like it’s been sitting on the shelf a little too long. What do you do? You grab the better looking box, of course.

Drive by your home or stand across the street and give it a good, critical look. What do you see? Is this truly a home that will entice a potential buyer to step inside? Or does it look a little stale and unkempt, kind of like that faded and tired looking box?

Before you can make that sale your home’s exterior needs to look so good that a potential buyer can’t wait to see what’s in store. Cut the grass, get rid of weeds and trim hedges and ground covers. Toys and tools should not be left lying around. Everything should be neat and clean, clean, clean. Power wash the siding, patios and decks. Chipped and peeling paint just screams ‘deferred maintenance.’ The golden rule is fresh paint in a pleasing, neutral color is your best marketing tool.

Once you have them out of the car and at the front door, add a few more welcoming touches. Scrub the mail box or if it doesn’t look great, replace it. Clean smudges off the front door and again, consider fresh paint if necessary. Polish or replace the hardware and add a kick-plate in brass for extra pizzazz. A new door may give your home a real statement of quality. A planter with something appropriate for the season is a nice final touch.

All of this needs to be done before you list. The first few days are an important time when potential buyers will drive by. That’s when they make their initial decision of whether to put your property in the ‘must see’ column or cross it off on the ‘forget it’ side.