There are always 2 ways of looking at real estate properties. First, it is a Seller’s “Home” – where they live, share family time, build memories. Second, to a Buyer, it is a “House on the list” – a building that they will be looking at with a Realtor. The key is how to make the connection so your “Home” becomes more than just a “House” that the buyer may eliminate.
The Buyers are probably going to look at 3-5 properties with their agent. They are looking for minimum requirements such as bedrooms/bathrooms, garage spaces, square footage, age, school districts, commuting distance,etc. Many times they are looking for a reason to ELIMINATE a property from their list – and one negative can cause the big red “X” on their list.
What can a Seller do to help make their home one that the Buyer will put on the short list of possibilities? Make it inviting!! First impressions are huge. Whether it’s a Welcome sign on the front door, a fresh coat of paint, or perhaps new colorful annual plants along the front walkway. Bright light, a fresh interior smell, clean and neat – that is what makes a positive first impression for the Buyer rather than a negative, elimination factor.
What can a Buyer do to help convert a “House” to their future “Home”? First off – be open-minded!! For the right price, a lot of minor issues can easily be resolved. I remember a house that had purple carpet, pink walls, pink ceiling fans, and mauve kitchen counters. Yes, it was an 80′s remodel that was at least 15 years outdated, with enough furniture to fill 3 houses!
The buyer eliminated it on the first look…but after 3 more house-hunting trips and not finding anything they liked better, they took a 2nd look at the house. They realized that pink walls can be transformed with a coat of paint. Carpet can easily be replaced with hardwood, laminate, tile, or new carpet. The homeowners had “uncluttered” and stored away a lot of their personal belonging and extra furniture, so the rooms appeared more spacious.
You can live in a House that doesn’t feel like a Home. To be a Home, it needs to feel like a place where you belong, feel comfortable. A Home needs to reflect your personality. In the Oklahoma tornado tragedies this month, families are rallying to fix their Homes…while abandoning Houses. A House has value, but you value your Home. 
