Attract Buyers With A Home That Has Eye Appeal

By
Dan Petersen-Petersen Partners
Prudential
Georgia Realty

The housing market has become
much more competitive. Many communities are beginning to see homes remain
longer on the market and the bargaining pendulum swing in favor of the buyer.
This is called a buyer’s market, as the number of available homes outnumbers
the buyers. As a seller, your challenge is to turn a buyer’s market to your
advantage.

 The right price is vital, because overpricing
your home can cause you to eliminate potential buyers and lengthen the time
that your home stays on the market. But equally important is making sure that
you give your home a competitive edge by giving it creative eye appeal.

 Many homeowners make the mistake believing
they are selling “their home,” but once on the market your home is actually a
product.  You need to create an
environment the buyer can’t resist. In other words, do everything you can to
make the home so attractive, charming, cozy, inviting, comfortable and exciting
that a buyer will want to buy that lifestyle for himself. 

This can be accomplished by
making just a few improvements in your home’s presentation.  Here are some guidelines to make your
property distinctive and memorable.

1.  Eliminate clutter.  Have you ever noticed how model homes are
perfect with no mess, clutter, or mass of personal belongings heaped
about?  There should only be a few
exquisite and well-placed accessories on tables, desks, chests, etc.  Also, clear kitchen and bathroom counters and
furniture of everything except decorative accessories.  Put the personal things–cosmetics,
toiletries, clothes, bills, papers, and homework—out of sight.  Tuck wastebaskets under counters or inside
cabinets.  Clutter and personal
belongings detract from the important features of the home.

2. Create a color theme.  If you embark on any investment decorating,
like painting, wallpaper, draperies or new furniture purchases, create a color
theme that’s consistent.  Wall-to-wall
carpeting should be the same throughout the house.  Neutral colors are best to please all tastes.

3. Rearrange the furniture.
Just the slightest readjustments can make a big difference. Pull the furniture
from against the walls to create a more intimate setting. Move furniture from
one room to another. That extra armchair in the living room may create a cozy
sitting area in the guest bedroom.

4.  Create custom spaces.  Luxury master bathrooms, decorator kitchens,
built-in cabinets, computer workstations, exercise rooms, and children’s play
areas are the kinds of features that generate sales appeal.  Even if you don’t have these specific custom
spaces, you can fashion them or suggest the potential for creating them.  Accessories, mirrors, plants and fluffy new
towels can generate a feeling of luxury even in a plain-Jane bathroom.  Turn an extra bedroom into an exercise room
if you’ve got the equipment, or a loft space into a child’s play area or hobby
center.

5. Keep it clean and
pristine.  Dust, vacuum, mop and
polish on a regular basis.  You’re not
selling the furniture, but a high shine on wood furniture and floors can make a
room sing.  Touch up nicks on walls and
make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.  Windows should sparkle.  Keep yards and landscaping neat and
attractive.  Add color spots of flowers
to perk up entryways and yards.

6. Consult with a
professional.  There are decorator
professionals trained to “stage” a home for sale. They are able to offer an
objective view of what buyers are looking for in your competitive market.  Depending upon location, neighborhood,
demographics and price range, the special touches that turn on buyers may range
from splashy master bathrooms and gourmet kitchens to children’s play areas or
home offices.

You don’t have to spend a great
deal of money to give your property the competitive edge. Just try to imagine
the kind of lifestyle your target buyer would enjoy, and use a few decorative
touch-ups to create it. 

Dan Petersen can be reached at (404) 459-3027/www.cobbhome.info.
Prudential Georgia Realty is an independently owned and operated member of
Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal
Housing Opportunity