When Selling Your Home, Make a Grand Entrance

Generally speaking, most house hunters know within about 60 seconds whether they’re interested in a property—and that’s before they even cross the threshold. While curb appeal is extremely important—especially during the busy spring and summer months—if your front lawn passes the beautiful yard test, it’s time to wow potential buyers with a gorgeous entryway.

Plain and simple, when selling your home, the entrance serves as the first thing a buyer will see after the front yard, so it tends to leave an indelible impression. If your foyer exudes elegance and luxury, buyers are more likely to see the same qualities throughout the rest of the house.

One way to set the tone is to make sure the flooring in your entryway varies from the rest of the house. Rich tiles are always a wise choice, but it’s still important to make sure they match your existing décor. For example, if most of your home is decorated with traditional furniture and art, you’ll want the flooring in your foyer to compliment that style in a universally appealing way.

With this, a striking chandelier can do wonders for the overall look and feel of your home. In general, lighting is important because it not only lends itself to dressing up your property as a whole, but it truly adds value to each room.

If you’re looking to save money, keep an eye peeled for chandeliers at local garage sales or flea markets, or try to hit a holiday sale (Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.) at your local furniture or lighting store. While some fixtures will obviously cost a good bit of money, it’s not unusual to find a high-quality piece for $500-$1000.

From there, once you have the flooring and lighting taken care of, it’s time to focus on a few decorating tips that will help complete the picture. Adding a touch of greenery is always a smart choice, as is including an interesting area rug or two. To anchor the space, consider using a chest or console table to display a favorite antique or lamp, and hang a picture or mirror above the table.

In regards to paint, neutral colors are key. This tends to be true throughout the home; however, you don’t want to overwhelm potential buyers the minute they step through the door. The goal is to create an inviting ambiance that will help buyers feel at home, so opting for light, relaxing colors is a wise choice.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that your décor is somewhat irrelevant if your entryway is dirty. Part of making a fantastic first impression is making sure everything is clean and sparkling. Remove any clutter such as shoes and backpacks, and make sure the floor is swept or vacuumed.

If you’re looking to market your home but would like some advice on your entryway—or any other room—please feel free to contact me for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Pam Evans | Hello Pam Evans Real Estate | www.HelloPamEvans.com | 678-778-6551