How to Get Buyers to Fall in Love with Your Home

Romeo and  Juliet couldn't resist each other. 

Love happens. Literature, poetry, songs, and movies insist that you can't get someone to love you, that the magic is there, or not.

But when it comes to convincing home buyers that your house is the one that will make them happy, the story is different.

There's lots you can do to get them interested, and even excited enough to make a commitment, which in real estate terms means to make an offer. Here are the most enticing ways to create that magic.

Seduce from a distance. Your home has to look good -- very good -- even from afar. Yes, we're talking curb appeal. Again.

Is your landscaping tidy and appropriate for the season? Is the area around your front entrance unobstructed, clean, and colorful? Do your siding and roof look problem-free? Have you removed all distractions, like bikes, garbage cans, and gardening equipment, from the front of your home?

Wow them from the start. Make buyers feel that they have just opened a delightful Valentine's card when they open your front door. First impressions count, and most buyers make a judgement about a home during the first few minutes of a home tour.

Is the first sensation one of being crowded into a foyer, or is it one of being welcomed to a spacious home? Are the paint colors neutral enough that anyone could love them? Are your home's best features noticeable? Are its flaws de-emphasized?

Appeal to the senses. Buyers make decisions based on sensory input. No matter how perfect the floor plan or how new the cabinets, if your home smells like pets or mildew, you're in trouble.

Is the temperature right? Does your home smell good in every room -- closets and storage spaces included? Do doorknobs, countertops and other surfaces that will be felt, feel smooth and clean? Is the clutter gone? Is the artwork non-offensive?

Create desire. People like to believe the house they are buying is a step up the social ladder. Make them feel like winners by looking like a winner yourself.

Are there some status touches, like thick towels, contemporary electronics, bedding that is on-trend, and even name brand foods in a pantry? Buyers buy the lifestyle, so don't underestimate the details that make your the home look luxurious.

Don't them them forget you. Prepare a takeaway. Work with your realtor to have a printed single sheet that points out your home's best features. If your home is a larger one, consider a more extensive printout. Include at least one photo.

Buyers might tour a handful of homes on one day, so make your home the one they'll remember. Have something memorable, like a big bouquet of bright flowers by the front door, a humorous sign by the back door, or mints on the kitchen island, to leave a friendly, lasting impression.

I give specific advice for staging your own home in my $5 eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. If your home is on the market, or you are thinking about selling, I'll walk you through the important steps to help you stage to sell. It's easy when you know all the subtle but powerful tricks of the trade! Download now and start staging today.