Little things that make a big impression on buyers

It doesn’t take much to change a buyer’s impression of a home.

Add some peeling paint, a leaky faucet, and dirty dishes in the sink of an otherwise appealing house, and suddenly the buyer crosses that property off his list. Just as minor imperfections can turn off a buyer, a few small actions by you can make your home seem even more appealing.

Fix conspicuous problems. You want to put your home’s best foot forward. If you can’t afford to remedy all the problems with the house, at least fix obvious ones. A buyer will notice the rotten porch railing or cracked window pane on a casual walk-through.

Show the owner’s manuals. Sure, everything’s available online, but you still need to know the model number of your oven, dishwasher, and microwave when something breaks. Showing buyers that you’ve kept that information suggests that you’ve taken care of other things related to the house.

Make an effort outside. Short grass makes bare patches less obvious, and a few bags of mulch around trees and in flower beds can work magic on an otherwise lackluster yard. Add in a planter of colorful flowers by the front door, and you’ve added significantly to your curb appeal.

A little effort goes a long way with buyers, so ensure your home makes a great first impression. 

Author: Ward Lowe, Texas Association of REALTORS®

Home-staging tips for a show-worthy home

Staging your home is a great way to enhance the appeal of your property to buyers. Home-staging and lifestyle expert Tori Toth shares some tips for home sellers.

Add natural touches

Take a cue from the geography surrounding the home and use natural elements that reflect that area. You want to add plants and flowers to soften spaces and subliminally remind buyers that life grows here.

Rearrange furniture

Moving furniture to open traffic flow can make a room feel bigger, or arranging it to create a conversation area gives the space purpose. 

Set the mood with lighting

A house that's illuminated says, "Come on in." Open your blinds and curtains to let in natural light, and put the maximum allowable wattage in fixtures to boost illumination.

Accessorize the entryway

Add strategic pieces—a table lamp, artwork, mirror, decorative box—to create a statement when welcoming people into a home.

Author: Editorial Staff, Texas Association of REALTORS®

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