Why First Impressions Matter when Selling a Home

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Selling a home doesn’t always go smoothly and can be a nightmare for some people. Extended times, disappointing offers, and of course, market changes can all affect your positivity and the chance of a sale. However, creating the right first impression is an overlooked yet powerful way to increase the chance of a sale. But how does this help? From creating an emotional connection between house and buyer to staging for a quick sale, here are some examples.

Immediate Curb Appeal

Visual cues are very strong to humans, and they can influence judgment and decisions almost instantly. This is an obvious advantage when selling a property, but it is an art and a skill that most people don’t have. One of the first interactions a buyer has is with curb appeal, so the stage needs to be set, whether in-person or through photographs and video with a property listing photography service that highlights pristine windows, fresh paint, and an emerald lawn!

Selling a Home Requires Emotional Connection

One survey found that 70% of new home buyers are willing to compromise because they feel emotional and impulsive when buying. A powerful first impression can be all it takes to speak to a buyer’s emotions and help push the sale through based on what a buyer expects to see:

• A warm, welcoming, and inviting home will instantly resonate with most buyers.
• Buyers feel more connected to a home when they can see themselves living there.
• When you see the emotional connection, that is the time to ask about an offer.

Higher Perceived Value

Buyers looking for a home to live in and not renovate won’t budge if the house looks like it needs work, doesn’t work well, or looks cheaper than what you are asking. Creating a valuable first impression by making necessary changes can increase how the home is perceived, ensuring you can ask the maximum value. Focusing on a high-quality finish, installing extra usable space (such as a patio), and even some redecorating will help push the sale.

Keeping Buyers Interested

The housing market, as you may know, is very competitive. With so many options, buyers are always looking for the best deal for their money. And who can blame them? Property is expensive, so a buyer wants to know they are getting what they are interested in. A great first impression leaves a mark on the mind. So even if they leave after the first viewing, there’s a high chance they might come back for a second viewing with a higher motivation to purchase.

Positivity is a Must When Selling a Home

Around 31% of home sales fall through and don’t reach the conclusion a seller hopes for. You can help push a sale when you make your home irresistible to buyers, and positivity is an overlooked part of selling a home that can keep everyone involved happy and satisfied.

Better engagement and interaction

Buyers are not usually complex, and most just want somewhere that feels right for them. A warm and inviting atmosphere will instantly trigger positive emotions for happier engagement.

Smoother negotiating

Buyers are much easier to schmooze when they are feeling welcome and have built a rapport with an agent or seller. This opens up better opportunities for negotiating in a civil manner.

Being a proactive seller

Being positive as a seller makes it easier to take a proactive approach to selling your home. As a result, you are more likely to keep the home tidy and make any necessary improvements. 

When selling a property, being positive can be overlooked. However, it is a critical tool that can help attract buyers and make the process easier for you as a seller, too. With reduced stress, smoother interaction, and proactive behaviors, you will see a reduction in potential setbacks.

Setting the Tone for a Viewing

Sometimes, a successful home sale depends on a strong start, and it doesn’t get better than a great first impression. From online images to an agency recommendation, a buyer might already have a strong image of what to expect from a property. This means they can come into a viewing with a high expectation that must be met. This is challenging, of course. But when successfully done, a buyer will arrive more engaged and undeterred by minor issues.

The Potential of the Space

Getting a home to a perfect standard when selling is a massive challenge. Houses are meant to be lived in, and that means scuffs, clutter, and minor damage. However, a great first impression that accentuates and highlights the best features of a home allows buyers to see past these. In fact, when a buyer is highly motivated after the initial impression, they are much more likely to make an offer based on the potential for what the property can offer, rather than what it does.

Helps when Selling a Home Quickly

On average, it can take 6 months to sell a house, or longer, depending on specific variables. A great first impression can be the single most powerful motivator for someone to make an offer, which is a massive help when you want to sell a property in as quick a time as possible:

• It’s been said a million times, but focus your efforts on boosting the curb appeal.
• Take note of the small things that need fixing and get your DIY skills out!
• Declutter and depersonalize the home so buyers can see themselves there.
• Accentuate the home’s best features, such as a fireplace or decking/patio.
• Hire a professional home stager who can make the necessary changes when selling.

Selling a Buyer a Lifestyle

You can’t possibly know what each individual buyer wants from a property, which is why so many agencies make them as neutral as possible. However, some homes come with features that will appeal to specific lifestyles, and these can be powerful motivators. As such, they should be presented as part of the first impression through images and viewings. Examples include modernized kitchens and bathrooms, home extensions, and luxuries like hot tubs or spa rooms.

Summary

Immediate curb appeal through a strong first impression is one of the biggest motivators for a buyer when selling a home. However, a positive approach as a seller can help keep buyers motivated during engagements, and first impressions can be used to sell a specific lifestyle.