Creating a Good First Impression

It is thought that buyers make a decision whether or not to buy within the first minute or two of entering a house. The buyer may not even be aware of this decision as it has been made subconsciously. Although most buyers have a list of specific requirements for their new house, the decision whether or not to buy a particular house is often based on intangibles. The place has to feel right. And if it doesn't, they are out of the door as fast as they came in.

Creating the Right Atmosphere

What can you do as a seller to make a house feel right? Pay close attention to those subliminal messages, a technique that is often using advertising. Potential buyers will experience your house with the five senses - sight, sound, touch and smell. Ask a good friend to do an inspection before buyers come.

Soft background music puts the buyer at ease. Subtle fresh scents as well as plants and flowers add life and vitality to a room. A fire in the fireplace on a chilly day creates the feeling of homeliness, as does the old trick of something delicious baking in the oven.

Inside the house, good lighting is essential, both natural and ambient, to create a cheerful atmosphere, and colour should be soft, neutral, and easy on the eye. Cleanliness and order throughout evoke a looked after feeling in the home. Clean windows, curtains and surfaces, especially in the kitchen, are reassuring.

If you have a garden, remove weeds and trim plants and lawn. Sweep paths. Pets, children, and sellers themselves should remain unobtrusive in order to let the prospective buyers view the home in a relaxed and comfortable manner.

A property viewing lasts for an average of 20 minutes - however, prospective buyers tend to make their minds up in the first few minutes - so first impressions are crucial.