The 'Drive-By:' Why Curb Appeal is Critical

When listing your home for sale consider the exterior curb appeal. This may involve some additional investment on the part of the seller, but will pay off sometimes 10-15 percent in selling price.

With the age of technology and professional photography (a must in my book) we know that 97 percent of our consumers are viewing properties online. The buyer's first impression will be the exterior front view of your home! These pictures are great, however we know that serious buyers jump in their cars then do what we call the “drive-by.”

The “drive by” is performed for many reasons:

1 – To get a look at the actual neighborhood

2 – To see what the neighbors' homes look like

3 – To track distance from the home to school and work travel

4 – To decide if they now want to take a look inside your home!

When the drive-by occurs it is often at an odd hour or during the course of travel plans the next day.

How do you tackle the drive by?

Make sure that your curb appeal looks enticing prior to having your home photographed for the internet. Make sure that your grass is as nice and manicured as possible. This may mean replacing with sod or fertilizing. Make sure that all the flower beds are free of weeds; mulch helps with this and provides a nice, manicured looking garden. Consider the addition of some greenery or shrubs; this can be very reasonable and ultimately will enhance the exterior beauty of almost any home! I have a “curb appeal” specialist who I utilize on a regular basis. She chooses the best fit for each homeowners' exterior according to their individual budgets.

If the siding on your home is dull or dingy, consider power washing or scrubbing with some cleanser and washing. Make sure to clean all of your windows including the exterior! Clean siding and windows will surely present a wonderful first and hopefully lasting impression!  If you have a porch, make sure that if it needs staining or repairing it’s done prior to the photo so that the exterior of your home looks it’s best! Replace any outside light bulbs or fixtures if needed to insure that they are in working order. Most times, the drive-by will take place during the early evening on the way home from work!

The “drive-by” is the screening process for a possible visit to your home. Take some positive action to make sure that you pass the screening process and progress to the interior showing!

--Catherine Lindstadt Realtor--

For questions or information, call 631-266-6113 or email clindstadt@elliman.com.