Basics of Property Management: Screening Potential Tenants

Things That Make Home Buyers Say "Wow"

9 November 2020

Jesse Obrien

If you are trying to sell your home, what do you want home buyers to say when they walk in? Most people would agree that the word "wow" is an ideal response. So, how do you get buyers to say "wow?" Well, there are a few things you can do prior to listing your home for sale.

Make the landscaping pop.

Before buyers even see the inside of your home, they will see the outside. At the very least, you want the landscaping to be tidy. But if you want the buyers to say "wow," then you need to take things up a notch. Have your landscaping company plant a couple of bushes or shrubs that really call attention to themselves. A crabapple tree is a good choice if you'll be selling your home in the spring or summer while it is blooming. Lilac bushes, burning bushes, and butterfly bushes are also good choices. You want your landscaping to make a real statement.

Put any clutter in a storage unit.

As soon as you know you're going to sell your home, rent a storage unit. Use that storage unit to house any extra clutter. That includes the souvenir items that have been sitting on your shelves for years, the extra throw pillows that take up space but don't quite match, and so forth. Buyers tend to prefer homes that look open and spacious without any clutter or anything extra.

Wash the walls.

Homeowners do not usually notice that their walls have become dirty until they wash the walls and see the difference. Fill a bucket with some water and all-purpose cleaner, and give your walls a wipe-down. The whole space will suddenly look a lot cleaner and newer in a way that will make any buyer say "wow."

Offer a "welcome" gift.

Set out something that buyers can take with them when they leave. This could be anything from a little pack of chocolates to homemade cookies. While giving away a gift does not say much about the house itself, it does say a lot about the seller and the real estate agent. Buyers will think, "wow, this home is being sold by nice people," which will make them feel more comfortable about their purchase.

If you want buyers to say "wow" when they walk into a home, then follow the advice above. Talk to your real estate agent for some more specific advice.

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