CSD HOME STAGING-K.Hubert: 3 First Impressions!!!!!

3 First Impressions!!!!!

As a Home Stager, I believe there are actually 3 First Impressions when buyers begin their search for a home.


1.    80% of buyers today are surfing the internet to locate properties to view.  For this reason, more than ever it is important to prepare and stage your property before listing it on the market.  Amazing photographs for the internet are your first most important first impression. Be a home on buyers list to see. 

 

2.    The second very important first impression is curb appeal.  If you want buyers to enter your front door then they need a visual invitation to do so.  Buying a home is an emotional decision and buyers need to get a feeling of wanting to live in your neighborhood.  Help them get through the front door.

 

This lovely garden takes you right to the front door



3.    The third very important first impression is your homes entrance.  Presented to welcome potential buyers and a visual that draws them in and makes them feel like they would like to stay. 

  Something as simple as a painting and a vase with seasonal flowers can be very inviting.

  Or a hall table to put your keys  on.

 

It only takes a fraction of a second for buyers to make up their minds about whether to view a property or not, or whether to bother entering the front door or to waste any time going through.

To find out more about why the internet is so important today as a first impression, especially in a buyers market situation, tune into

Gina McNew's "Diva in the House" radio show.  Active Rain's Terrylynn Fisher is a guest and she talks about many interesting topics.  I highly recommend it.  Go to www.canadianstagingprofessionals.com scroll down and on the right you will find how to get into the show to listen. The show was recorded on April 4,2008.

 

   Karen Hubert-Center Stage Design

14 comments • Home Stager Karen Hubert • April 12 2008 05:13PM

Comments

Great post.  That is so true.  When I talk about first impressions, sometimes I find myself talking about the photos, sometimes the curb appeal and sometimes what people see when they enter the home.
Posted by Amy Prouty (Home Staging) over 2 years ago
Actually Karen, great minds think alike, I touched on this on Diva in the House radio show last week.  Think you've inspired me to expand on it here.  Thanks for the post, right on. 
Posted by Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor EcoBroker, CRS, CEP Realtor, Etc. (Empire Realty - BuyStageSell.com) over 2 years ago

Hi Amy, thanks for the comment. Take care.

 

Hi Terrylynn, I didn't hear your show last week.  I'll have to go back and catch up on it.  I'll look forward to your post.  Take care. 

Posted by Home Stager Karen Hubert (Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Hamilton/Burlington) over 2 years ago
Great post!  I agree with everything you said.  My partner and I also like to focus on what the potential buyer sees and feels as soon as they step into a property that we staged.  Those first few seconds make a big impression.
Posted by Tracy Moses~Redefining LUXE~Staging ~ Decorati (Redefining LUXE) over 2 years ago
very true -- great reminder.  I have a little saying I wrote for my web site that says you need to draw them in with that 1st impression and then keep it poppin' all the way through!  every new room is a new 1st impression.
Posted by Karen Dembsky, Atlanta Home Staging (Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA) over 2 years ago
Great post! It's all to often that sellers prep the interior and forget about the exterior! It's spring now so your timing was perfect for the curb appeal!
Posted by Dawna Graham (River City ReDesign & Painting) over 2 years ago

You are so right.  Curb-appeal used to be the first impression, but now it is definitely the internet.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Posted by Kim Dillon (Creative Eye Home Staging) over 2 years ago

LOVE IT! Great blog and easy to communicate and use.

Cheers,

Cindy 

Posted by Cindy Lin // Staged4more & EcoJoe (Staged4more Home Staging & Redesigns) over 2 years ago

Couldn't agree more. MLS photos are do or die, they have to make your home stand out in order to get people to the curb.

Posted by Tanya Venable Greenville Home Staging Spartanburg and Upstate SC Home Staging (Fresh Eye Designs, LLC) over 2 years ago
Karen- You are absolutely right. First impressions mean everything, especially the pictures on the MLS. Great post.
Posted by Barbara Cluck-Miksits - New Jersey Home Staging (BCM Home Staging LLC) over 2 years ago
This is definitely something that should be done.  If it doesn't look like it is worth entering, it won't be entered most times.
Posted by Latonia Parks (Paradigm Real Estate, Fayetteville NC, Home of Ft. Bragg, NC) over 2 years ago
I would also add a "fourth" first impression - the main living area most visible from the entry.  In Omaha, Nebraska that is typically a living room or dining room. How this area looks and functions contributes significantly to the overall feel a buyer gets when initially assesing a property.
Posted by Tori Lynn Ross - Omaha's Premier Home Stager (Ross Designs, LLC) over 2 years ago
You are so right Tori, when I stage a property, I try to look from all angles and always make sure something draws buyers in to look further.
Posted by Home Stager Karen Hubert (Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Hamilton/Burlington) over 2 years ago

Great post, good points, I agree 100%. I like the way you added the visuals to clarify your points.

Posted by Lori Howard (Hope Designs) over 2 years ago

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