“YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION.”
That phrase was written by Will Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935). He was a stage and motion picture actor, vaudeville performer, American cowboy, humorist and newspaper columnist from Oklahoma, who was born in Oologah to a prominent Cherokee family in what was Indian Territory at the time. He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies and wrote more than 4000 syndicated newspaper columns. Will Rogers was the highest paid Hollywood film star of his era. He was adored nationwide by the mid-30’s, when he and pilot Wiley Post tragically died in a plane crash in northern Alaska.
Will Rogers (L) and Wiley Post before their ill-fated flight in August 1935
Will Rogers’ statue represents the state of Oklahoma in Statuary Hall in Congress, where it is reported that if you rub his shoes you will have good luck.
As to first impressions, Will Rogers was right. First impressions are lasting ones. If you are looking to sell your home, you may have someone who has seen it online, and wants to drive by to take a first-hand look. So here are some ideas to make that first impression a positive, lasting one.
PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR
Potential buyers are looking for great curb appeal when shopping for a new home. It is time to get critical: does your door need some TLC? Chips in the paint, cracks all say ‘no one cares,’ and that can bring your price down. Make a very small investment in some paint in order to give your door and shutters new life. Ask your realtor if you should repaint your door and shutters a different color. It can make a positive lasting first impression. But what color do you choose? Here are a few thoughts:
- Make an Impression Red — If your home is very neutral in brick or wood siding, a red door makes quite a statement.
- Hello Yellow! –This is not for the faint of heart, but say your home has a medium gray exterior and darker gray shutters, a yellow door welcomes guests inside the home.
- The Stately Choice of Indigo — This paint color goes well with a variety of exterior colors, and can lend a stately air to a property. Think dark purple with a lot of navy blue in it, and it beautifully sets off most exterior siding and shutter colors.
- Spring Green — An energetic shade of green is a great choice for a front door, particularly if you have flowerbeds with pink and red flowers in them. They are opposites on the color wheel, and together make a very pleasing first impression.
- Black — You can hardly ever go wrong with a black front door, but we think it is set off best by dramatic and new light fixtures on either side. Black is a drama color, and can create an aura of excitement as you approach the front door.
LIGHT YOUR WAY TO A “SOLD!” SIGN
We mentioned front porch lighting. Look around your home and either clean or replace worn-out light fixtures. Sometimes a good cleaning, with warm soapy water and/or water and vinegar can do the trick, and you’ll be surprised at how much newer they look after you’ve done some scrubbing. If they are hopelessly outdated, then visit your nearest home supply stores for some replacements that will be attention-getting.
HOW ARE YOU WITH NUMBERS?
Every home and neighborhood is different, but we all have house numbers that are prominently displayed. Do yours need to be replaced? If so, it is just a few dollars to upgrade the look of your address for all to see.
GO GREEN
Take a look at your flower beds. Would a small, ornamental tree give you some much-needed curb appeal? A colorful crepe myrtle, a small crabapple or a Knockout Rose Tree can give you that ‘wow factor’ in a prominent place as potential homebuyers walk up to your front door.
MULCH AND A HAND SHOVEL ARE YOUR FRIENDS
Yes, we know. Who really likes spreading fresh mulch and using a hand shovel to get rid of those pesky weeds? But a fresh layer of cypress mulch spread out over your newly weed-free front flower beds is a welcome site to visitors to your property.
At the Ron Arnold Team, we want to be your resource to get your home sold quickly for the best price. Call us to talk with us about your home’s value and what we can do together to get a “Sold!” sign out front!
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