Have you heard that a first impression is made in 7 seconds? Or 10 seconds, or some other very short timeframe? The point is, first impressions are made quickly and the thing about first impressions is - you only get ONE shot.
How does this come into play when selling your home?:
When a potential buyer is on Zillow (let’s face it, that’s where they are), they are looking at your FIRST listing photo. Then, hopefully you’ll get a few more swipes to your next few listing photos. Make sure your real estate agent is using a professional photographer and show-casing the best aspects of your home in the first few photos. While it’s important for the photo order to properly represent the way you’d walk through the home…your second photo shouldn’t be your mudroom or hall closet. Have a sparkling pool or a dazzling kitchen? Those photos should be within the first few listing photos.
Next, if you’ve captured the potential buyer’s attention enough that they schedule a showing - yay! Now, you have a chance for your home to make a SECOND impression. The second impression becomes as important as the first. It’s time to sweet talk your neighbor into moving his old car from the front yard to his driveway. Spot some trash by your community entrance? Pick it up. Keep your lawn neat and make it EASY for the potential buyer and their agent to park, get out and get into your home. Pay special attention to your front door where the potential buyer is waiting while their agent is accessing the lockbox. If it’s difficult for the key to unlock the door, fix this before listing! Leave the lights on for showings. To reiterate: make it easy. And if you aren’t there to make it easy, then your listing agent should be helping you coordinate vendors to get this SECOND impression just right.
The potential buyer loves your home and can see themselves living there! Now, your listing agent makes the THIRD impression by helping to make the negotiation and contract period smooth. Your agent is representing your interests while both agents keep in mind that both clients have the SAME end goal... to buy or sell the home. As the buyer’s agent prepares the offer, the listing agent makes the THIRD impression by:
-providing documents on listing
-answering the phone
-answering questions (while protecting the seller’s interests)
But WAIT, there’s more! There are important opportunities for YOUR real estate agent to help your home sale go as smoothly as possible. I won’t spill all the beans here. Want to know more? Let’s chat! 423-617-6069