To me, “luxury real estate” isn’t about million dollar homes. Rather than focusing on a price band, luxury is more about an upscale boutique experience.
I love working with sellers and buyers searching for all types of homes. When working as a buyers agent, I am not just facilitating the transaction but helping my clients find a home they will love. My aim is to provide all the information necessary for my clients to make the best decision.
When listing homes I love to help my sellers understand buyer psychology and how the market will view and react to their home. We then work together to put a plan in place to give buyers the best experience possible.
No matter how logical we may be, the truth is emotions definitely play a role in our home buying or selling decisions. This isn’t a bad thing: in fact, I’ve always believed the best decisions are made through a combination of head and heart. Check out my article below on buyer psychology. When you’re ready to list your home, reach out and we can chat!
Though days on market are trending up in some price bands and locations nationwide, our local market continues to perform positively. Seattle is bolstered by its low inventory and the amazing companies that prop up our economy. While the demand from buyers is likely to continue to outstrip supply, high interest rates and elevated home prices mean buyers have become more discerning.
If you are thinking of selling your home and you want a successful sale, you absolutely have to understand buyer psychology. If you are a buyer, being aware of the emotions and biases that go in to your decision will help you understand better how and when to place an offer- and when to walk away.
You have three seconds to make a first impression: make it count
The minute your home hits the market thousands of eyes are on it! There are no second chances when it comes to making a lasting first impression. You should never underestimate its importance. Priority one is taking the extra steps to ensure you get it right. That old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” is ever so true. A seasoned photographer is worth their weight in gold and can capture the essence and emotion of your home with the right shots.
If a buyer likes what they see online, they’ll be more likely to come in person for a look. Their first impression is key and starts the moment they drive up to your home. Does your landscaping enhance the home? Is your entry way clean, painted and polished? Windows sparkling? How does it feel when driving by?
Adding elements to the outside plants, potted or landscaped will dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal. An added bonus is that plants reduce stress and will undoubtably make you and the buyer feel more comfortable.
Remember, the moment a buyer pulls into the driveway, they are assessing whether the house feels like ‘home’, and whether they can envision themselves coming home to this house again and again for years to come. No matter how long your home is on the market I help to keep these feelings going.
Fully or partially stage your home in a way that fosters emotional connection
Building an emotional connection with buyers is essential as it allows them to see the house as more than just a property. Full or partial staging can play a crucial role in fostering this connection.
To create this bond, start by decluttering and depersonalizing the space to allow home shoppers to envision themselves living there. Remove family photos and memorabilia. Adding elements like tonal decor and making cosmetic improvements can help evoke positive emotions and create a welcoming atmosphere. It will help keep the buyer in the right frame of mind.
Don’t forget about functionality
The pandemic changed the way we live in our homes. The home became a place that also services our work and wellbeing. Optimize the home’s brightness using the natural light coming in from the outdoors and apply the right medium of indoor lighting to produce depth and dimension.
Show to the homes advantages by demonstrating how a space can be used effectively. Empty rooms can leave buyers uncertain about their potential, while strategically placed furniture and decor can illustrate how each room can optimally serve its purpose. This is especially valuable for tricky areas like small rooms or those with unconventional layouts.
I love helping my clients create restorative spaces in the bedrooms and bathrooms, and a quiet and functional place to work. The capacity in which people shop for homes has evolved since the pandemic and keeping this in mind can give your home a competitive edge to win in this market.
Sellers want a home that has been looked after: show that yours has
Make sure the home feels fresh with a deep clean. Consider cleaning the central HVAC system to improve the overall quality and airflow throughout the home. A clean and decluttered house that does not show a lot of wear sends a clear message to buyers: this home has been cared for. The seller has done the “heavy lifting,” and the buyer can simply move right in.
Bottom line: well presented homes sell faster and for more
On average, homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than those that aren't professionally photographed, cleaned, fixed-up and fully or partially staged. When we work together, I will guide you through everything you need to do to check these boxes. Just follow my lead, and we’ll set the scene for the next act together.
