Many of the best architects, builders and designers speak of the need to “listen” to what a house has to say. In many ways, that can be taken as sound advice, and it is often much more than a metaphorical way of talking about the style and the appeal of the house.
In varying degrees, each house has a “personality,” and each has a story to tell. So, when you’re ready to sell your home, it would be wise to capitalize on that story. This can be done in a variety of ways.
How to Tell a Story From Your House
Through your use of sight lines, furniture placement, colors, accessories, and traffic patterns throughout the house, you can “lead” visitors on a path from a greeting to the “heart” of the home, which is usually the kitchen or gathering spot, and then into the private areas. Along the way, you will want to direct their attention to the yard or the grounds, the patio or the pool.
What to Tell
The story told could be of life well lived by a family happy to be there. Perhaps the story in Lexington would be of unique, local materials used to enhance this home. Another story might involve community amenities and the wealth of leisure time activities offered to residents.
Why Tell a Story
Letting your house tell a story means, more than anything else, allowing it to encourage people to enter, and to experience the possibilities the house offers.
What are the views out the windows? Is it possible to sit quietly in the living room and watch the squirrels play in the trees? Is the dining room large enough for the extended family at Thanksgiving? Can the twins have bunk beds in the upstairs bedroom? Each person will “hear” the story in a slightly different way, and interpret it individually. But it is the perception of possibility and “rightness” in the message that you want to encourage.
What a story does is convince a home buyer that they must have your home, i.e. it’s the perfect place for them.
There are Certain Principles that are Vital
- Always make sure the house is spotlessly clean and in good repair. Make certain to finish any updates, repairs and ongoing maintenance before listing the property. You want to be certain that the story told by the house is not one of neglect.
- Ensure visitors experience the home with full light, comfort, and good cheer. Open blinds, remove heavy drapes, turn on lights; scatter vanilla candles about, but do not light them.
- It’s okay, and often charming, to let the house hint of its current inhabitants. Just don’t let it spill your secrets. And do not allow it to “scream” about your life or your enthusiasms. A book or magazine near a chair, however, is humanizing. A bowl of fruit in the kitchen, or a tray of chocolates in the entry will be viewed with a smile.
Your goal should be to encourage potential buyers to compose their own chapters; to build upon the story told by the house. If they can do that, the offers will come.
For More Information About Selling
If you’d like more information about selling your home, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to get you started on the right path!
