Tag Archives: Selling a home

Looking to sell a home in Austin? Doreen Zelma is a real estate professional ready to help. Doreen is a seasoned listing agent and offers only best marketing in Austin.

Buyer Turn-Ons

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Buyers typically find a house to view for sale, from going to an open house or making an appointment with me to see one.  No matter how a Buyer comes to view a home, the Seller knows ahead time that a Buyer is going to be touring their home with possibly little notice.  I explain to my Sellers that once we actively market their house – it’s Showtime!  Your audience can arrive any minute, so your house always has to be in show ready condition. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

So what turns Buyers on when they see a home?  Like anything else in life – it’s the little things that really get their attention.

Top 10 Buyer Turn-ons

1-     a clean house with freshly vacuumed carpet

2-     an edged lawn

3-     live plants in outdoor and indoor pots

4-     an organized pantry

5-     clothing and linen closets in color order

6-     a set dining room table

7-     clutter free kitchen counters (it makes them look bigger)

8-     a quiet house

9-     a pleasant scent

10-  set beds

Some of these sound silly – I know.  Yes, many of them have absolutely nothing to do with the house itself.  Like I mentioned earlier, it’s the little things that Buyer’s read into. Buyers develop an over all impression of the condition of the house based on the attention to detail Sellers pay to the little things.

It’s $3,000 carpet – not a $3 lipstick

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Home Colors vs. Personal Colors

Pantone has announced its color for 2011.  It’s Honeysuckle and you will see it everywhere. Here in Austin, I have seen great color schemes in homes, and of course, I have seen some poor choices.   Home color choices are not like clothing and makeup. With personal color choices you are working with individual skin tone.   Different colors and hues will complement your natural beauty.  Different colors enhance different people.  Personal color choices are also very temporary.

House colors are different, because they tend to be more universal in appeal.   If you are selling your home, the color scheme needs to appeal to the masses.   House colors affect our inner senses.   When done right, they inspire and relax.   When done wrong, they can enhance stress levels or depress you.   Choosing a color can be a long term commitment and investment, so neutral colors span the test of time.

Color your Home Happy

So, what are the rules for coloring your home?   The #1 rule is the simplest to follow – pick your palette from nature.   Green is a very soothing color to the eye.  It is relaxing.   That’s why actors are placed in ‘green rooms’, before they take the stage on a talk show.   A soft yellow is another great color to incorporate into a home. It is bright and cheerful.  Follow an Autumnal color palette, which appeals to all.  Think of browns and greens with touches of gold, yellow and red.

Buyers want a Blank Canvas


Can you use a bold color in your home? Sure, but use it sparingly.  It is often best to test a color, with a bedspread, pillows or even artwork.  See if you can ‘live’ with it, before committing to it with a slightly more permanent fixture.  Understand if you do plan to go with the honeysuckle carpet, be prepared to change it to a more neutral color before selling your home.  It will be hard for most buyers to see past the color and many will not want the task of re-carpeting after the purchase.  Bold color choices not only affect time on the market, but may affect your sales price as well.

Love Thy Neighbor

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The number one reason why sellers do not want to have an open house is because they don’t want neighbors to come.  Yes, sometimes the neighbors you love, like or could live without, will transition into ‘nosey’ neighbor status when its time to sell your home.  All of their curiosities about what color you painted the living room, or what room that window looks out from, can all be answered at an open house.   While I do appreciate and respect a seller’s desire for privacy, let me point out the benefit of neighbors visiting the open house.

There is no greater billboard for the positive features of your neighborhood,  than your neighbor.  Your neighbors have the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in your community.  They know how long it takes to commute to a variety of areas, about local hot spots, even what corner the bus picks the kids up for school. 
The best part about neighbors coming is that they generally like the seller’s house better than their own.  Either the storage is better, or the floorplan in the kitchen makes more sense, what ever the reason — it’s always positive and they are always eager to share their opinions with potential buyers.
There is no greater testimonial for a potential buyer, then hearing how happy neighbors love their community.  So, love thy neighbor.  They are your greatest cheerleaders. Remember, they have relatives, co-workers and friends and have the potential to bring you a great buyer.

Keeping Reality and Real Estate ‘Real’

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HGTV is powerful.  I cannot even begin to tell you how many homeowners I speak to who got an idea to attempt a do-it-yourself project as a result of watching a home makeover show.  If you are chuckling on the inside, it may be because you are one of them.  I use the word ‘attempt’, because while these shows inspire and educate, they also tend to make projects seem simpler than they are.  Remember, it’s an 8 hour project shown in a half and hour.  These shows have the power to edit and often have a team completing the handiwork behind the scenes. It’s a reality show, just like any other.

I laugh on the inside and try not to show my angst on the outside when I go on a listing appointment with those who lost their drive on a remodel.  The results range from unfinished faux painted walls, tile put in place that was never grouted and crown molding that doesn’t completely go around the ceiling.  All of these unfinished projects are going to affect the sales price of your home.  It is easier to sell a dated home that is fully functioning and completed, than a home that seems to stop mid sentence. 

To a buyer, the project needs to be finished.  I often have to change the perception of the seller, to see these things with buyers’ eyes, because after a while the seller doesn’t see the projects anymore.  They have been living with them for so long; they just tend to blend into the background.

Many home supply stores offer classes on do-it-yourself projects.  I often recommend someone take one before making a decision to start a project.  We are all good at something, but certainly not good at everything.  Have a reality check with yourself when you are watching those reality shows. Get a real education on what’s involved with a do-it-yourself project, before you begin one.

Pride of Ownership doesn’t have a Price Tag

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Pride of ownership does not come at a price point.  Homes can be found that are either cared for or neglected, whether you spend $150,000 or 1 million.  Just because you are willing spend more money, doesn’t guarantee a home in better condition.  People have relationships with their homes (not unlike how they relate to other people).  If a problem arises, some choose to ignore it, while others attack it head on.  There is often a reality check for the owner, when it comes time to sell, when the problems can’t be ignored anymore.

Sellers often realize that what hasn’t been repaired or replaced, will ultimately cost them in the end.  Money makes things go away. Owners think they are simply saving money by ignoring foundation problems, roof repair or whatever else may be deficient.  In realty though, they are simply differing the payment to the sale.  The home is worth less to a buyer and will take longer to sell when systems are in need of repair or replacement.

Summertime Blues

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I have been trying to preview as many properties as possible in the morning, while everyone is still busy at work.  Pictures can be deceiving for better or worse, and typically don’t show things like pantries, closets and sometimes even backyards.  Previewing properties without clients helps us rule out some things not worth seeing in the heat of the day, which happens to be when you get out of the office.  It allows us to focus on true possibilities in less time, which works out well especially with children in tow.  Children generally love looking at houses, but when they are getting in and out of their car seats in the heat, they loose interest pretty quickly which makes it a trying time for all.

Someone is watching your pets, but who is watching your house?

I have seen some houses where the owners have been away on vacation.  It is important to keep in mind when selling your home that plants need to be watered, garbage should be removed, and pools need to be tended to.  I had a reader last week whose pool turned an unappealing shade of dark green while they were away.  Just like keeping the house clean, pools need to be kept clean as well.  Buyers don’t know that people may be away, they just think there may be a problem or the pool is not being maintained.

Snakes can rattle you

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No, the 5 foot rattle snake did not convey (or least we don’t think it did) when my Buyers purchased a home in the Village at Western Oaks last Fall.  The picture is one of two snakes that were removed from their yard two weeks ago.

The second rattle snake not pictured was 4 feet long, and one of them was pregnant with about 20 babies.  So, needless to say the Smith’s have a snake wrangler on retainer, should any more unwanted guests arrive.

Yes, they live on a greenbelt, but understand this is Texas and snakes are everywhere.  I saw two myself last weekend at Town Lake, so just be aware. Tis the season.