First Impressions in Real Estate
by: Ines.Hegedus-Garcia on September 12, 2007 02:20:49 21 comments »
What does your front door say about you?
We,ve all heard that the front door is one of the most important elements in a house and it is true. The front door not only echoes the architectural style of the home, but sets the tone for the rest of the home.
When we take a new Miami Real Estate listing, we stress the importance of the approach to the house:
- a clean walkway free of debris
- potted flowers or plants to make a great first impression
- clean and visible numbers
- nicely painted or finished door
- well lit
- hardware in good working condition
- avoid clutter
- and please oh please make it CLEAN! Spider webs are for Halloween (and maybe not even¦.see Halloween Decorations or DISTRACTIONS?)
If you want to add your own personal touch, do it with the entrance matt or a wreath or simply with plants or flowers like shown in these Miami Shores homes.
If you are a selling your home in this down real estate market, this may sound a bit trivial. The truth is that you need to pay attention to every detail of your home to give you an advantage over the competition, starting with the front door which gives the first impression!
First impressions are the most important - you can control the destiny of the sale of your Miami home by making sure the approach to your property is perfect!
· http://jaymcgillicuddy.com/wordpressGreat point Ines as curb appeal is so crucial when buyers look at homes by driving around looking at different neighborhoods. We have seen more and more buyers wanting to driveby homes more so than in years past.
Permalink September 12, 2007 07:46:28 · http://www.miamism.com/
Jay - it's funny how curb appeal sometimes may say nothing about a house inside (at least here in South Florida) - we see the most amazing interiors with the worst curb appeal. I think front doors are a lot of fun and tell you a lot about the personality of the owner....from color to condition.Permalink September 12, 2007 08:35:37 · http://jaymerton.wordpress.com/Ines: (Still chuckling over "spelt") I agree completely. Were I looking for a home, I would have trouble getting past the curb (assuming there is a curb) if I deemed the home lacking in appeal, or had no chance of acquiring appeal--regardless of how appealing the interior may be.
Jay
Permalink September 13, 2007 04:51:12 · http://missycaulk.wordpress.comInes, I enjoyed looking at all these front doors, if you are showings a fair unmber of houses, sellers need to remember they are competing on the outside as weell as the inside. Having a beautiful welcoming entry sets the stage.
Permalink September 13, 2007 05:44:56 · http://www.miamism.com/Jay, thanks (now you have me chuckling as well). Any good Realtor would stay on top of the available inventory and know that a particular house may not have that looked for curb appeal. We have sold plenty of homes where the customers did not even want to go in and we asked them to trust us and BINGO!! It reinforces how important the approach to the house is without a doubt, especially for those that are looking on the Internet.Missy - ABSOLUTELY!!! "the right stage" may "make or break" a deal.
Permalink September 13, 2007 09:12:50 · http://www.RealEstateSizzle.comInes:
You're right...that front door is so important. To me, many homeowners don't choose the right STYLE of door for their home, i.e. a contemporary door on a mediterranean home...that drives me crazy! It goes back to the old adage...money doesn't bring you "taste"...
Permalink September 13, 2007 13:14:55 · http://www.miamism.com/Jackie - thanks for the laugh. We recently sold a mid-century modern house with the wrong door. The first thing the new owners did was change the door to the appropriate style (I am so glad they were able to see past it).Permalink September 13, 2007 16:51:07 · http://www.activerain.com/denaThis is still one of my favorite posts of yours. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
Permalink September 15, 2007 22:38:58 · http://www.miamism.com/Thanks Dena - a home's door is such an important part and represents so much....beginning, transition, invitation. First impressions are ever lasting!Permalink September 15, 2007 23:50:13 · http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/I love front doors, they can enhance the front of an ordinary home so nicely. I also love really nice windows and garage doors. Combine that with a great paint job and some interesting landscaping and you can hang the SOLD sign. A few dollars spent can go a long way in our current market.
Permalink September 16, 2007 05:51:52 · http://www.miamism.com/Hi Laurie! you are right, spending a little money can definitely go a long way. It just amazes me when people don't clean their front door. I recently visited a listing with spider webs in the entrance......that should leave a GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION....NOT!Permalink September 16, 2007 09:50:26 · http://www.stpaulrealestateblog.comNice post. The front door is so important.
Permalink September 18, 2007 06:29:03 · http://www.miamism.com/Hi Teresa - I don't understand why some sellers are oblivious to the importance of the front. (maybe their Realtors don't tell them?) Permalink September 18, 2007 08:52:46 · http://www.orlando-real-estate.bizGreat post! Thank you for the reminder of how important the little details are in the overall showing of a house.
Permalink January 05, 2008 23:38:02 · http://www.miamism.comChantal - especially with the amount of competition a seller will have nowadays. It's crucial for the property to show in tip top condition and make a great first impression!
Permalink January 05, 2008 23:46:05 · http://www.orlando-real-estate.bizInes, I agree. I believe there are only three things that sell a house:
1. Price
2. Marketing
3. How well it shows
I don't really see much else too it.
Permalink January 06, 2008 22:13:30 · http://www.miamism.comChantal - I believe pricing and marketing and one and the same. Pricing is part of the marketing strategy and one without the other will not achieve any results.
Permalink January 10, 2008 15:54:04 · http://www.clearwaterrealestatetampahomes.comInes - I absolutely love all the unique architecture you have in Miami - and I love seeing different front doors. Great tips for the sellers - can't tell you how often we drive up to a home and the buyer says, "we don't even have to go in to that one" - what a shame.
Permalink March 24, 2008 00:53:03 · http://www.miamism.com/Cyndee, I have one listing right now that the outside does not represent the interior at all. I have to tell agents that before an appointment or their client might not want to go in.....it is a shame.Permalink March 24, 2008 09:26:41 · http://www.robinashley.comThe first impression is everythigng, my door is so plain, doesnt say much about me. I think im going to paint it!!
Permalink June 30, 2008 17:26:39 · http://www.miamism.com/Paint away Lindsay!! sometimes our clients change the hardware, add a new matt, and plant fresh flowers (but paint is always the easiest fix)Permalink June 30, 2008 17:47:52This post has no comments awaiting moderation.
