First Impressions Matter: How to Get Your Home Market-Ready
7 seconds.
That’s how long you get to make a first impression.
~ ~ ~ ~ Let’s take a walk in your buyer’s shoes for a moment. Imagine you’ve decided to buy a new home, and we’re out touring houses. ~ ~ ~ ~
The first one we come to has everything you’ve been looking for. Four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a large modern kitchen, and a fenced-in back yard for your dog to play in. When we pull into the driveway, you notice a few dead bushes along the walk up to the house.
We approach the entry and see dirty windows and peeling paint on the front door. Inside, it has everything from your wish-list— the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the big kitchen—but what is that terrible smell? Do they have farm animals penned up somewhere?
The next house on the list doesn’t tick off all the boxes on your wish list, so you’re not so sure, but we drive over there anyway. When we arrive, we’re greeted by a bright and cheerful front lawn with rows of bright red petunias in the flower bed. A freshly painted front door is at the top of the steps with a cute floral wreath beckoning us to come inside.
Do you get the impression that one of these homes is better than the other? Is it the one that had everything on your wishlist?
Probably not.
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions aren’t just important—they’re everything.
Most buyers will form an impression of a home within a few seconds and will decide how they feel about it within the first few minutes. That means small changes can make a big difference in both how quickly your home sells and what price it brings in.
You don't need to spend a bunch of money on costly upgrades before you sell, though. A good deep cleaning and some touch-up paint go a long way in making your home stand out.
Over the years, I’ve walked through hundreds of homes with buyers in Ashland, Washburn, and throughout Northern Wisconsin.
Here’s what I’ve seen make the biggest difference:
Declutter & Simplify. Think “open, clean, and spacious.” Removing extra furniture, family photos, and excess items helps buyers picture themselves in the space.
Light It Up. Natural light sells homes. Open the blinds, turn on lamps, and consider swapping out old bulbs for warm, bright LEDs.
Make Minor Repairs. That leaky faucet or sticking door might seem small—but buyers notice. A quick touch-up here and there can boost confidence in your home’s upkeep.
Add a Little Charm. A fresh wreath, a vase of flowers, or even just a clean, welcoming entryway can create a warm first impression that sticks. Need more room-by-room suggestions?
Check out this post on our blog for some quick tips on staging your home!
If you’re not sure where to start, or need some extra details on what to look out for, we’ve created a Pre-Listing Home Prep Checklist that walks you through simple steps to make your home shine.
Here’s a preview of what we will be talking about in these upcoming emails.
Listing & Marketing Your Home – Reaching the right buyers in our local community and beyond. How we will help find you the right buyer
Negotiating Offers & Handling Inspections – Making sure you get the best possible deal. What does the timeline look like for closing?
Through the Closing & Beyond – Success!! Ensuring a smooth transition to your next chapter.
Thinking about a few updates but not sure what’s worth the effort? That’s what we’re here for. We’re happy to walk through your space with you and give honest, practical advice based on what local buyers are looking for right now.
Whether you’re thinking of listing next month or next year, we’re here to help you plan ahead.
Sincerely,
Kevin Porter
Porter Realty
Focused on You, Invested in Our Community
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