Looking to sell? Prospective buyers start to form an impression of your home way before they even step foot inside. According to real estate agents, even the smallest of details can set the tone for the showing as soon as buyers arrive, so it’s worth it to know how you can make your home more appealing. Nearly every area has something to tell buyers, including the outside. If you want to know what catches an agent’s eye as soon as they go to a showing, then check out these things real estate agents say they always notice first.
Deferred Maintenance
It should go without saying that before you list, you should do your best to look around and fix anything that’s broken or not working in your home. Auri Lee, a Realtor in Atlanta, Georgia, says even the smallest things should be fixed too.
“When I walk through a property, I’m often making a mental list of those little things that could easily be addressed by a handyman before the home goes on the market,” she says. “A loose doorknob, dripping faucet, missing caulk, burned-out lightbulb, or door that doesn’t close properly may seem like a small thing to a homeowner, buyers notice these things. Taking care of those items ahead of time can help a home feel better maintained and allow buyers to focus on the features you want them to notice.”
Smells
The home’s smell is another big item that every agent said they notice first, especially if you have pets inside. “You register a house with your nose before your eyes catch up, and it happens in about three seconds,” says Shivraj Grewal, a real estate agent in Austin, Texas, and the founder of Grewal RE Group. “Pet odor, damp, old cooking oil, and heavy air freshener all read the same way to an agent, which is that something is being covered. Air freshener is the worst offender because it tells me to go looking.”
The Entry
The outside and curb appeal will certainly start the first impression, but the entryway will definitely add to it and likely top it off. In fact, it’s safe to say that as soon as buyers step foot into your home, the entryway will tell them everything they need to know about the rest of the house.
Jessica Julien of Douglas Elliman, based in Palm Beach, Florida, says, “The entry establishes the tone of the home. Make sure the path from the front door is clear. You don’t want it to feel like a drop zone for shoes, packages, backpacks, etc. Make sure there’s a nice, clean doormat, fresh lighting fixtures, a beautiful mirror or piece of art and a well-styled console. These small changes can turn an entrance into a true arrival moment that prospective buyers will appreciate.”
Finishes
Finishes are one of those small details that real estate agents also say will capture their attention quickly. Julien says that door handles, cabinet pulls, faucets, light switches, and towel bars may sound like small things, but will leave a lasting impression because they are all finishes that a buyer interacts with throughout a showing.
“Loose hardware, yellowed outlet covers, sticky doors, or worn caulking can make a buyer wonder what else in the home has been overlooked. Buyers begin to mentally discount the property. I will always advise my sellers to focus on these details as they are inexpensive upgrades to make compared to larger renovations, but have big impact,” she says.
Lighting
Similar to fixtures, lighting plays a big part in how buyers will see your home. This is why real estate agents always observe the natural lighting and fixtures in your space.
“I notice almost immediately how much natural light a home gets,” says Daniel Amodeo, the President and Broker/Owner of Amo Realty. “Bright rooms generally photograph better and can make a home feel larger and more inviting. Sellers should open blinds and curtains, clean the windows, trim landscaping that blocks windows, & remove anything unnecessarily obstructing natural light.” For indoor lighting, Grewal says sellers should make sure bulbs match across the entirety of the home.
Curb Appeal
Since buyers will see the outside of your home first, it’s important that you spruce up your landscaping before listing. Julien says that curb appeal sets the expectation for the rest of the home, and that well-maintained landscaping, clear pathways, pretty flowers and a cared-for (or even painted) front door can signal that the whole property has likely been thoughtfully maintained. It will also excite a buyer to see what’s inside.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is always a room that buyers will focus heavily on, which is why real estate agents inspect it first. If your kitchen is outdated, Lee says this doesn’t automatically mean you need to undergo a full-scale renovation. She says even small upgrades can make a huge impact.
“Something as simple as changing cabinet knobs and pulls, updating a faucet, or replacing worn countertops can change the overall feel of the space,” she says. “When I’m advising a seller, I always look at whether there are smaller improvements that could make the kitchen feel more current before recommending a major renovation.”
Flooring
One area Grewal says he pays close attention to is the flooring since it’s the most expensive thing to fix. He says, “Floors run continuously through a house, so a problem shows up everywhere at once and buyers price it that way. I am checking for transitions between rooms that do not match, soft spots, cupping near exterior walls, and wear paths. Cupping matters most because it usually means water.”
The Lot
Believe it or not, the lot itself is something real estate agents notice since it can impact selling price. This is different from curb appeal, since the lot looks at acreage, what it’s next to, topography, and any special hardscape features. Bonnie Smith of Bonnie Smith Group at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty says that where the house sits, how the ground slopes, where the water is going to go in a hard rain, how close the mature trees are to the roof, is there a creek, etc., are all things she’s considering for buyers.
Cleanliness
Lastly, the cleanliness of your home is something real estate agents will pay attention to. This is one way to see how clean and decluttered it is, since this can also impact listing price.
“The home should feel fresh, clean and like a blank slate ready for the next family,” says Smith. “The goal is to make a buyer feel like they are not in someone else’s home, but in a home where they can picture their own things and style. I will notice dusty light fixtures and baseboards, windows that need to be washed. Then, are personal items organized and put away, or are the counters covered?”
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