Home Staging for Real Estate Sellers #1

First Impressions!

In Fredericksburg, as in all markets, sellers dream of selling their Fredericksburg Texas home quickly and for the best possible price. And while there are many considerations to address in order to make this happen, the most important is the first impression.

What will the prospective homeowner come upon immediately on approach? How does the view appear from the street? Does the yard demonstrate a commitment to maintenance or does it look neglected? With this first clue, the visitor will evaluate the commitment the seller has made to the entire home and property. In Fredericksburg Texas just a casual drive through neighborhood streets shows the high value placed on tidy yards and welcoming entryways. The well-known German work ethic brought by the immigrants in 1846 dramatically invigorates the atmosphere of our well-maintained Fredericksburg real estate market.

For the aspiring buyer in the Fredericksburg real estate market, this first impression lingers. Then on the approach to the front entrance, the build up of expectation for entering the home accelerates. Here the inspection intensifies and the impact can be dramatic.

The importance of the appearance of the entryway cannot be understated. Spotlessly clean, a fresh coat of paint for the door, a trio of seasonal potted plants on the landing and a fresh coir or sea grass mat will refresh the entry and make visitors welcome. This small investment can pay big dividends!

Once inside the door, the progression of first impression continues. For the person entertaining the thought of living in a new Texas Hill Country home, they first must be able to imagine that space with their own belongings. What this means to you as the homeowner is that you must reduce the impact of your presence! Everyone has too much clutter in his or her home. It just accumulates! To not distract your potential buyer you must be ruthless. If you have not used something in 3 months, put it in a box and store it (ex: appliances on the kitchen counter, cosmetics and what-not in the bathroom). Things that you have not used in a year should be scrutinized for possible disposal. Thin out the number of books on book shelves. Use them to display interesting items by leaving open spaces and stacking books vertically for pedestals. It can be amazingly refreshing to unburden your surroundings from the extra ‘stuff’.

For more tips and ideas, see the next FAQ; Home Staging for Real Estate #2