Create a good first impression when selling your home

The importance of first impressions and increasingly picky buyers in a very competitive market, place further pressure on sellers to put their best foot forward when showing a home for the first time.

Your major role as a seller is to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers and to ensure the necessary time and effort is invested to give yourself the competitive edge that is needed to sell your home when you want and at the price you want.

It all boils down to placing yourself in the buyer’s shoes and to see your home through their eyes.

Seeff’s National Marketing Manager, Ted Frazer, says a buyer’s emotions and the impression they get when stepping into a home can play as big a role as the location, security, size, price and parking space of the property.

“Buying a home is one of the biggest investments that anyone will make in a lifetime and sellers need to be mindful that prospective buyers constantly experience emotions like excitement, optimism and cautiousness.

“These play a vital role when it comes to consumer buying decisions and something as simple as garbage bags in front of the home or lawn that is not mowed can be deal breakers.

“Smells, colours and sounds also play a role,” he concludes.

Some of the simple things that sellers can do to make their property more attractive besides drastic measures like renovating or upsizing include:

Make sure all the windows are sparkling clean and keep in mind that one of the most affordable ways to transform your home is with a tin of paint.

However, it is important to be careful about the paint colour you choose.

Light is very important so remember to open all your blinds and curtains to let the natural light in. Any decorative or track lighting should also be switched on.

Ensure that the house is neat and free from clutter.

Repair things like roof tiles, leaking taps and gutters and replace bulbs in light fixtures and vanities.

Make sure the kitchen countertops are clean, hang fresh towels in the bathroom and get your carpets cleaned.

Something like an unpainted gutter or a loose tile on the roof can create the perception that there are serious and expensive problems with the home, while, in fact, it will only cost a few hundred rand to fix.

The smell of a fresh pot of coffee gives a homely and cosy feeling.

The use of mirrors is also encouraged – the buyer can literally see themselves living there.

It’s always a good idea to ask a friend or an independent party to offer comment on what the home looks like to present to a buyer.

“At the end of the day everyone has their own style and you’re not trying to impress with your brand or décor, but rather trying to present a clean and attractive home that exudes potential for the home’s next owners.”

Frazer concludes in the majority of cases the first offer made on your home is the right one.

“In today’s climate where everybody has access to technology, most buyers have been looking at every home on the market that meets their parameters for weeks or months.

“By the time they make an offer it’s usually a good one because they understand what they’re dealing with.

“Also make sure that you are dealing with a reputable agent to ensure that your property is priced correctly.”