Most people don’t think about the key when they think about staging but it is a big part of the buyer’s first impression of your home.
If the process of unlocking the door requires you to pull the door forward just a bit, turn the key a quarter turn to the left and then to the right all while balancing on your left foot the buyer standing behind the REALTOR® may think this is just the first of many “quirky” things they may have to deal with or fix if they buy your home.Consider the doorbell too. When I’m showing property I will often ring the door bell while I am unlocking the lockbox just to make sure that no one is home. If the doorbell is broken – my buyers will notice and it gets added to their mental “price reduction” list.
Taking the time to make sure your key and doorbell work properly is well worth it. If they buyer isn’t focusing on those items, they can spend more time picturing their furniture in their new house.
On a side note – if you have a showing on your home in the evening please leave the front porch light on. It’s much easier for us REALTORs® to get into your home and show our buyers.
