Preparing for a grand entrance: roll out the red carpet

When selling a home, you want to win the buyer lottery and be selected for a showing.

By the time buyers and their agent reach your front door, they want to love your house. Here are some things you can do to exceed their expectations ... and it all starts at the front door.

Most of us enter our home from the garage or side door. In preparing, think about the path of a buyer. Yes, cut the grass and rake replace the mulch ... but don’t forget the entry area itself.

It takes a few minutes for the agent to retrieve the key and unlock the door. Meanwhile the buyer has a close up view of an old rusty entry light fixture and possibly the most unkempt entry of the home.

Consider the following:

1. If your landscaping if lacking, instead of planting small blooming flowers near the front entry, go for bigger blocks of color. In photography the small flowers may not have the desired impact. Try a fern or plant in a pot that you can take with you later. Whatever you select, make sure you have time to water and care for it.
2. Replace the old rusty entry light with a new one that reflects current trends.
3. Do a heavy cleaning of your entry area or porch, including the  ceiling.
4. Evaluate the door and porch for signs of wear or peeling paint.
5. Consider painting the door with a fresh current color.
6. Replace tired front porch furniture or bring it to life by cleaning it and adding fresh outdoor pillows.
7. Get a new basic entry mat. No patterns or mascots from your Alma mater.
8. Replace a worn lock set, knob, and kick plate with a new trendy metal finish.
9. Check the storm door for squeaks, wear, and door holders that don’t work. Nobody really enjoys being hit on the backside while trying to unlock a door.
10. Once you are on the market don’t forget to check the porch area weekly and clean the glass regularly. The smell of window cleaner as your prospects enter the home is always a good impression.

Here are some of my personal favorite door colors from Milled.com featuring Sherwin Williams colors. And when shopping there, mention you are a client of Webb Home Staging and use my contractor’s discount for your purchases!