Sunday, January 07, 2007
Buyers Judge House By Its Cover
"A Spruced-up yard might entice passerbys to take a closer look at the intereior."
Read the entire article by Alan Heavens of the Philadelphia Inquirer HERE.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS that this is the season for the serious home buyer. And with so many listings for that buyer to look at, the successful seller will be the one whose house stands out in the crowd.
In the trade, this is known as "curb appeal." How a house looks from the street, the National Association of Realtors says, is often enough to bring a prospective buyer in for a look.
Though the condition of the house itself is a critical part of curb appeal, so is the landscaping. If the yard is filled with unraked leaves, frozen flowers and fallen branches from the last windstorm, it's hard to see much past the curb to the house.
Landscape Staging Tips
1) Go around the perimeter of the house and remove all discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, and move the garbage cans into the garage.
2) Prune all overgrown bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. If possible, make sure the house can be seen from the street.
3) Weed and mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn frshly cut and fertilized. Remove dead plants or shrubs.
4) Clear patios or decks of all small items such as small planters, flower pots, barbecues, toys. etc.
5) Check the paint condition of the house, especially the front door and entryway rim.
Read the entire article by Alan Heavens of the Philadelphia Inquirer HERE.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS that this is the season for the serious home buyer. And with so many listings for that buyer to look at, the successful seller will be the one whose house stands out in the crowd.
In the trade, this is known as "curb appeal." How a house looks from the street, the National Association of Realtors says, is often enough to bring a prospective buyer in for a look.
Though the condition of the house itself is a critical part of curb appeal, so is the landscaping. If the yard is filled with unraked leaves, frozen flowers and fallen branches from the last windstorm, it's hard to see much past the curb to the house.
Landscape Staging Tips
1) Go around the perimeter of the house and remove all discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, and move the garbage cans into the garage.
2) Prune all overgrown bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. If possible, make sure the house can be seen from the street.
3) Weed and mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn frshly cut and fertilized. Remove dead plants or shrubs.
4) Clear patios or decks of all small items such as small planters, flower pots, barbecues, toys. etc.
5) Check the paint condition of the house, especially the front door and entryway rim.
Labels: Bay Area Real Estate, Housing Appreciation, Landscaping, Staging
Links
