Think about the value of your house right now, and value it in monetary terms. What perception do you have of it? Now, think about how another person–not even your buyers–would value your house. How do you think your friends would rate your house?
The price listing does not matter that much because it will be the same in every price bracket and at this point, it should be the least of your worries. Basically, you cannot force the price onto the buyer. In one way or another, the buyer will buy the house for the price they think it is worth, so you should not worry about the price.
There are a lot of things that you cannot change about your house, but like so many people, you can choose to play around with numbers to try to estimate the value of your house, which will not work at all.
- You cannot change the location of the house, no matter how much you try.
- There is nothing you can do about the house value the market has determined for you.
But you can definitely change the buyer’s perception of the house and create an impression of the value of your house. This works like a dream. You can change and control how your buyers think about your home and even end up with them buying the house.
So how exactly do you create the impression of the value of your house?
It is a simple act–a straightforward move that does not require you to take classes. You just have to know how to organize your home in a way that suits your buyer’s preferences. But first, lets look at some quick hacks that might give you a free bonus:
- Make sure that your home has a well-groomed landscaping and make sure that everything in your house falls in the right place.
- Make sure that cabinets and closets are well-organized. They are one of the main areas that buyers will look at after your kitchen.
- Make sure the house paint is neutral. You really do not know what your buyer prefers, so err on the side of caution.
- Make sure that the flooring is in excellent condition. Just a single crack might scare a potential buyer off, so you have to be extra cautious about this.
- The rooms have to be spacious and let in as much light as possible. Nobody wants to be barricaded in a dark room.
Is that all?
Creating an impression in the buyer’s mind that your home is the perfect fit will require you to present your home–which you very much know might be theirs in the future–in a rather visual and emotional appeal. It has to be well-maintained, and the decor and the like all must be in place. If you have all the above points checked, then it is time for the final move.
Getting into the buyer’s head
Gaining control of the situation–which some may call manipulation–is the whole point behind all this. Remember, your potential client may have a negative feeling toward this house; therefore, it is up to you to convince them that it is the best home they will ever come across. You really need to get into their heads. How, exactly? I did my homework…
Preparation and presentation of the house are among the primary concerns to creating a perceived value in the potential buyer’s mind; but without strategic marketing, none of this will ever work out. Therefore, you will need to strategically position your house in the market in the best possible manner to gain the buyer’s favor. In case you do not know how, there are many professional home stagers who can help you with this.
Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA
President and CEO
NMLS #461807 CalBRE #01143484