by Dina Psichogiopoulos

Created on: March 29, 2007   Last Updated: May 19, 2007

First impressions can stir strong emotional feelings within a buyer.
How much do they WANT your home?
How close does it come to their dream home?
Does it remind them of the home they grew up in?
Is it a home they have aspired to?
The buyer will form an intuitive decision as to whether this home is worth further investigation, and what its perceived value, (both personal value and market value), may be even before venturing inside.

Before you consider putting your home on the market take a look at your neighborhood. See what seems to work and what would appeal to you. The ideas we are looking for are the things that work well with this type of home. Items like plants, color, flowers, pots and ornaments, blinds and awnings and even outdoor furniture.

With the research you have done, go back to your own home and look at it from a buyer's perspective.
-Do you see balance, harmony and interest?
-Do you remember what attracted you to this home?
-Would it have the same appeal to a buyer now?

To start with, roll up your sleeves and remove anything that has been dumped and forgotten here. Things like children's toys, pet's food and water bowls, pet toys, tools and ladders, bicycles, shoes, fishing gear, car parts, sand, bags of potting soil; that is everything that does not belong in the front of the home.

If something is worn or broken that cannot be fixed clear it away or replace it. Things like old pots, ornaments, entrance mat and furniture.

If something looks messy and cluttered have it trimmed or removed. Like shrubs, overgrown trees, and spent flowers.

Repair anything broken or not working properly. This includes doors, gates, locks, letter box, dripping taps, blinds and awnings.

Whatever looks tatty needs freshening and neatening up to keep the buyer interested.

Then work on your front door and make it welcoming and the main feature to your home by,
-creating a clear path to the door
-painting your front door in a striking yet pleasing color
-providing good lighting at night
-adding interest with pots and plants
-providing a good quality entrance mat

Finally polish windows, clean the veranda, remove spider webs, and wash away oil drips from the driveway.

Now you are ready to ATTRACT and IMPRESS the buyer and make the SALE.

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