The Piedmont Perspective - "Presence" Counts! Vol 346

My mother has never looked better. For a woman in her eighties (sorry to spill the beans, mom) it's amazing how tall and beautifully she stands, as opposed to my dad, who's gotten smaller - and shorter - with age (sorry Harry).  Looking at them side by side, I'm filled with hope that I've inherited my mother's excellent genes and I can look forward to my golden years with as much poise and elegance as she possesses. (Her mother stood tall as well.)  

"Mom, you look fantastic," I commented a few weeks ago while we were out to lunch.

"Thank you," she replied.  "My mother always said you needn't be the best looking person in the room, but you should enter the world with 'presence'."  (I'm sure grandma meant that as a compliment.)

In other words, "stand up straight!"

She's right of course.  How we present ourselves is everything as first impressions are made in the blink of an eye.

That's true of homes as well as more and more Buyers begin their search on the Internet.  In fact, more than 93% of new home buyers comb the Internet with regularity and who can blame them?  Sites like Trulia, Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin and our own beautiful Grubbco.com have never made the search easier.  In essence, you want your home to stand up straight and tall, especially when compared to others. 

In addition to the typical 'still' photos we typically view online, the newest cameras can capture our listings in 360 degrees formats that virtually allow interested Buyers to walk through the floor plan from attic to basement; a recent and astonishing technology that is going to have a HUGE impact on the way we market homes moving forward. It's a game changer for sure, so from where I sit, getting ready to sell can't begin too soon. 

Recently, I've been asked to weigh in with several potential Sellers as to the improvements that should be undertaken in the next year or two before they bring their homes to market. It speaks volumes about the sophistication of Bay Area homeowners that they are thinking and planning months and sometimes, years ahead - and so they should. (BTW - I love these calls so don't be afraid to ask.) With medium price home in San Francisco now hovering around $1,000,000, buying or selling a home is a high stakes game! And no one wants to be on the losing end of that equation.

If we assume that the market isn't always going to fall in favor of the Seller (a safe assumption as ALL markets correct over time) then it behooves us to think proactively about how to present our homes in their best light, regardless of the economic climate.

Or put another way, if a move is in your future (even if it's several years away) it's highly beneficial to start thinking about what changes you should be planning for in today's world, in order to get top dollar in tomorrow's.  As an added bonus, if you are likely to do the work when it comes time to sell, why not do it now and enjoy some of the benefits while you still live in the home?

On the top of my hit list:

• Kitchens remain the heart of the home.  DO give some serious attention to this gathering spot.  Dollars you spend here are highly likely to be returned (and than some). The most surprising sales results, last year, typically came to homes with stellar kitchens.  If they opened out to a big back yard, so much the better.
• Old, leaky bathrooms spell trouble - in more ways than one. It's not just that they're unsightly; leaking tubs, showers and toilets cause all kinds of costly damage beneath the floors and behind the walls.  DO give these rooms some serious love and you should be well rewarded in turn.
• Aluminum sliding windows and doors? Yeah, they're not great and they feel incredibly dated (because they are). Yes, new windows are an investment to be sure, but they substantially improve a home's energy efficiency, aesthetics, and curb appeal.
• Speaking of curb appeal - your garden is the first thing  Buyers see when they drive up to the Sunday Open. Ditch the lawn and consult with a professional landscaper for some eye-catching drought-tolerant beds and statement pathways (preferably plants the deer won't eat). Water is going to continue to be a limited resource moving forward for our state so DO plan for it now.
• New lighting, fixtures, and hardware bring a LOT of bang for the buck and immediately modernize a room, AND there have never been more affordable resources for these fairly inexpensive pieces. Treat yourself to a hip pendant chandelier (or two).  If need be, consider recessed lighting where appropriate.  Dark homes are a BIG hurdle for many Buyers.  Good lighting will update your rooms by decades.
• Eggplant walls? They may have worked well with your interior design, but will likely turn potential Buyers off.  Paint is the cheapest and easiest "fix" one can make.  Even if your colors are spot on, rooms (especially hallways) need to be repainted every few years to keep them "fresh."  And while you may be partial to a bright orange or pink house, such bold statements struggle to sell.  For a quick lift, give some thought to a punch of color at the front door.  It makes for a "wow" entrance without all the drama on the walls.
• Funky carpet is . . .  well, funky.  Better yet, if there are wood floors underneath that carpet, you've just hit solid gold. Pull the carpet and refinish the floors. Area rugs are a better investment and can go with you when you leave. 
• Patch a leaking roof and address any active pest issues. In both these cases, a little prevention, is worth a pound of cure.
• Plant a tree out front. Nothing is friendlier and, on average, homes with trees sell for more money than their bare counterparts. (Really.)  Isn't it nice to know that this simple gift to Mother Earth actually returns the favor by as much as $10,000?  Maybe you'll start a movement on your block. 
• Retrofit for earthquakes. No, you're not likely to see this investment returned come time to sell, BUT you'll sleep better at night knowing that when and if the "BIG ONE" comes, your house is better equipped to withstand such a seismic event. Because no matter how beautiful we make our homes, what good are the improvements if the house is no longer still standing on its foundation? 
  

 
That's enough for today.  I've got two homes coming to market this weekend and my assistant, Jill, and I are busy planting pots for the entry way.  Why?  These little details make a BIG difference when presenting your home to the world - especially in photographs.  If I've only got a few seconds to catch a Buyer's attention on the Internet or at a drive by, I better leave no stone unturned.  As I've learned from watching my mother, "presence" counts!   

How can I help you?  

(P.S. -You can  follow my ongoing renovation on my new Blog: Renovation Riptide. I invite your comments and stories. )