by Kim Dingwall | First Impressions, home staging, marketing, property staging, property styling, Real Estate Staging
Ninety-nine per cent of all consumers begin their home shopping online. It is fair to say that online presence is paramount to push those potential buyers to want to see the property you are selling. I’d say as important as the curb appeal if not more. It is the front line, whether it is through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or on social media.
“you need this place, it is going to improve your life“
So what does the online presence have to convey to get people to want to see the property? The message should be “you need this place, its going to improve your life”. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful house do this. Get the professional photographer and stager into that house to create that magic that will lure in those online buyers. But you need both a stager and a photographer; as neither can unilaterally create the refined appearance for online shoppers. Think of those magazine photo of rooms and of food. Both the stylist and the photographer create the desire together and have the skill to draw in the consumer.
The third component is the text in your listing material which must be enticing to the potential buyer. They need to know what it is about the house that makes it a “must see”. What is special about it? Using the punchy, action-packed words encourage excitement and desirability for buyers. Bad grammar and lacklustre descriptions are not encouraging and may disappoint potential buyers. Use all the character space you have available to explain why the house is a must see. Spelling mistakes and too many emojis are big turn-offs and also a reflection of the writer’s attention to detail.
The overall message in this post is to also stage your online presence. Bump it up and command attention! Use of active and descriptive words will encourage visits to the property. Potential buyers should feel compelled to see the property and quickly, so as to not miss out.
by Kim Dingwall | curb appeal, First Impressions, Gardening, home staging, property staging, property styling, Real Estate Staging
Here are our suggestions for improving your curb appeal. This list is not just for sellers but for anyone house proud. Please feel welcome to add your ideas and comments.
- All windows coverings seen from the curb should be white or punch it up by doing the coverings the same colour of the outside trim colour.
- Add a garden structure that is open or light in visual weight like a small bench, gate or pergola to create interest.
- Layering structural elements to front of your house: shutters, lighting, railings, ornamental wrought iron, will create depth and more interest. Light things up!
- A row of boxwood kept manicured would serve as a natural border between lawn and a row of purple sand cherries. Beautiful contrast from road!
- Full and lush bushes at the front of the house add interest and depth to the look; try different types of foliage for even more contrast.
- Hang out that wreath on your front door.
- Paint the trim around your garage and front doors this weekend whether selling or not, it will punctuate your facade.
- Cleaning up dead leaf and foliage from your front gardens greatly improves its appearance in early spring.
- Homes for sale facing north would benefit from brighter plantings like gold leaf spirea; blue junipers, white, yellow and orange annuals.
- Your front door should be the focal point, not the garage. A bright front door colour that complements the house colour leads visitors to your entry easily.
- Over seed your lawn in cooler temperatures, a rich, healthy lawn says “well maintained” and makes buyers pay attention.
- A clean-edged garden looks professional and better than those framed with little metal or plastic edgers.
- Clean up your gardens now if you are selling! New garden soil top up will look rich, deep and healthy. This shows you maintain well.
- Bushes and grasses can enhance your curb appeal both thru colour and structure. Using these effectively can be welcoming.
- Gardens have a big impact on your curb appeal. Choose the right colour and types of plantings for your house.
- Wash around door handle and trim (use a baking soda & water paste), remove all spider webs.
- Sweep and pressure wash your steps; people will notice everything when waiting at the door.
- Wash your outside lighting; they will be brighter and sparkle, adding to your curb appeal.
- Don’t clean your windows on a sunny day = too many streaks! Do it on a cloudy day instead.
- If selling and your home looks like it is missing some curb appeal add some shutters to the windows. They give a friendly and balanced look.
- If your house faces North and you’re selling, put a punchier and brighter colour on the front door so it grabs attn from potential buyers.
- Are your eavestroughs dripping? Clean ’em out and repair so water doesn’t flow to your basement and doesn’t drip on buyers at the front door.
