A Good First Impression Maximizes Sales
by
Jean Ortmayer
Word Count: 993
Some homes just stand out, drawing the attention of passers-by and
making people stop to take a second look. These homes are said to
have “curb appeal.” A distinctive doorway, an attractively landscaped
entry, a colorful garden viewed through a set of brightly painted
French doors, an inviting walkway with a handmade bench—curb
appeal is whatever gives a home a unique sense of style. Having curb
appeal helps to sell a home; not having curb appeal can result in a
slow sale or no sale.
Most Realtors® already know that improving a prospective buyer’s
first impression of a property can help to sell the home. But many
Realtors® don’t have the detailed design knowledge and creative skills
of an interior designer and may not know how to go beyond the basics
in boosting a property’s inherent good qualities. That’s when calling in
an interior designer can really pay off. Even if a designer is just called
in for a consultation, they can help to turn a potentially negative
situation into a more positive outcome.
Many times Realtors® are put under pressure and time constraints to
make a sale. Calling in a designer at the beginning of the sales process
can reinforce or buffer the Realtor® from giving bad news to a client
about their property’s potential. The designer can then function as a
problem-solver, helping to determine what could be done to improve
the home in the most cost-effective way possible.
What are the common problems that a designer can help to solve?
Most homes need to look larger. Providing continuity from the curb
through to the back yard expands the visual space of a small to
medium size house. Providing harmony and bringing the outside in
makes for a more pleasant experience overall. One of the least
expensive solutions is to add background color with seasonal ground
covers and plantings. Other quick, easy solutions include:
 Painting the front door with an inviting accent color
 Changing or upgrading the front porch light fixture(s)
 Placing an appropriately styled bench, seat or other threedimensional piece on the porch, verandah or in the front yard or
garden
 Keeping all walkways and entrances swept and hosed off
 Providing potted plants on the front porch in keeping with the
exterior style (don’t mix cactus or succulents in Mexican clay pots
with a Cape Cod or French Chateau look)
 Adding a clean, stylish new entrance mat
 Upgrading the front door hardware, including the door handle,
knocker, hinges and/or kick plate
This sets the stage and creates a pleasant feeling of anticipation by the
time the front door is reached.
Indoors, the strategy should be to make rooms look lighter, brighter
and more spacious, while judiciously editing and accessorizing to make
each room more pleasing to the eye and senses. This can be done by:
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Cleaning out closets and clutter
Painting walls and trim
Replacing carpeting to overcome pet stains/smells
Staging an empty house with rented furniture and potted plants
Adding inviting sensory aromas with potpourri or a stovetop diffuser
Remember: The lighter, brighter and more harmonious the interior of
a house can look the better.
It’s also important that the feeling of the front yard and interior of the
house should flow outside into the backyard and patio areas. Patio
furniture and containers can be harmonized with the colors and styles
used in other areas of the home. These outdoor rooms should be as
aesthetically pleasing as the entrance and interior spaces, allowing the
prospective buyer to leave the property with a good feeling about the
entire house.
If a buyer can’t picture themselves or their belongings in a house they
won’t buy it. Therefore, a Realtor® can help close a sale by bringing in
an interior designer to help a prospective buyer visualize styles,
furnishings and the possibilities of a new use of space in the new home
(including how to fit their existing furnishings into each room). A
designer with extensive experience in space planning might even
suggest interior architectural changes or enhancements.
Designers can help with:
 Hints for matching exterior details to interior details to give a home
“flow”
 Helping the buyer visualize himself/herself in the new home
 Re-working and re-designing using the sellers own furniture and
accessories to create a more appealing look
Utilizing the expertise of an interior designer can make a world of
difference to the progress of a sale. For a minimum amount of
investment a Realtor® receives a maximum amount of return. An
experienced interior designer has the right contacts and the know-how
to help make changes that can get escrow closed in a timely manner.
If two homes are on the market in the same neighborhood, the home
that is visually appealing and that buyers can easily see themselves
living in is the home that is going to sell, even if it costs more…
Like selling anything, the process of purchasing a new home is
emotional. By consulting an interior designer, a Realtor® can increase
the impact of that crucial first impression on a potential buyer and help
to guarantee a favorable outcome to the sales process.
Jean Ortmayer, Allied Member ASID, CID is principal and owner of
Jean Ortmayer Interior Design. Transforming a house into a beautiful,
comfortable home appropriate to a client’s individual taste and lifestyle
is the mission and design philosophy behind Jean Ortmayer Interior
Design. For information about Jean, contact the Frog Pond at
800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@frogpond.com;
http://www.frogpond.com