First impressions are lasting, and how your house looks at first glance to prospective buyers can determine a successful showing or not. Imagine this: you are looking at pictures of a new listing your realtor has sent you. The inside pictures are stunning, the house looks like everything you want. You book the viewing and pull up at the curb. You see shaggy grass, unkempt flowerbeds, peeling paint in the window sills, overgrown hedges, dirty windows… Doesn’t make you feel very welcome, does it? No matter how good the inside looks, I would always wonder if it is cosmetic or if the owners really did things the right way and if they really cared about their house. Maybe they did everything right, and just are not outside people.

Spending some time making your house look like a star upon first impression can not only increase the number of showings, but it can increase the market value. Would you be likely to offer full price on a gorgeous interior with an exterior that needs hours and hours of work? I don’t think so.

Here is how to make great first impressions from the moment prospective buyers’ drive up:

1. Keep the grass trimmed.
2. Give the sidewalks a quick sweep to remove any debris, including leaves and grass cuttings.
3. Ensure your flower beds are not overgrown and out of control. Spend an hour weeding and cutting back plants that have taken on a life of their own.
4. Trim the hedges and bushes away from windows, doors and walkways.
5. Put a nice pot of flowers by the door. This will make the house look more welcoming.
6. Clean up any trash, toys, eyesores that are in view.
7. Touch up paint where needed.
8. Pressure wash the exterior, sweep away cobwebs.
9. Wash the windows.

First impressions are so important; make sure your listing makes a great one!