Part 1 of Series..."Hints for Waterfront Sellers"

I figured that since I created an ongoing series for waterfront buyers, it would only be fair to help out sellers with some of the things I've noticed over the years. When you live in any home, you tend to place things where they are comfortable for you. But sometimes those same items may be impeding your ability to get your property sold. People make decisions emotionally when shopping for real estate, and lakeshore homes and cabins are probably even more likely to bring out those emotions...for better or worse! The first article in this series is on creating the best water views.

Part 1: Where's the View?
Lakeshore buyers have a variety of things to think about in their search for the best home or cabin to meet their needs. Not only does the structure have to fit their desired size and style, but they also need to picture themselves enjoying the property and the lake as much as they would the house. It's not that off-water buyers aren't concerned about the overall setting and its surroundings, but waterfront real estate just seems to have a unique ability to mesmerize potential buyers in a way that other types of properties don't.

Lakeshore buyers like views - there is no doubt about that! Many sellers hurt themselves right off the bat here, and it starts from the second the prospective buyers enter the door. Let's start with a walk through the house....

Think about how many people use back doors, garages, or side entrances to go in and out of their homes because that is generally the best place to put shoes when entering the house, and it works great for throwing all the extra clutter. Almost all of us do it, and it works just fine in everyday life. However, we also assume that we should bring the buyers in this way, so they won't dirty up the floor around our main entrance - or maybe we just don't have a key for that door anymore. What does it matter anyway; they can look around once they get in the house?

So they get routed through a dark garage, into a dark mud room, and then down a dark hall before they can get a view of the water. It is kind of like calling a company about a problem, only to get re-directed to three more people before you find the answer you need. Probably not the best experience, and unfortunately that is what the buyers will remember once they leave.

Instead, let's assume your entrance is bright and has immediate views - or at least easy access to views - of the lake. Let's assume the windows are clean, void of dark curtains, and are easy to approach without tripping over kids toys or having to peek around a stuffed moose. What then tends to happen is that the buyers are pulled through the house directly to those outdoor views...kind of like a scene from a zombie movie. So now that we have them there, what's next?

Generally, the next thing they want to do is get outside to the deck to get a better look. Of course, this is sometimes difficult because of the three of four locks from the top of the patio door to the bottom, along with the sawed-off broomstick jammed in tightly to keep out intruders. And many times there is a curtain, or some type of funky shade, hiding all those security devices.

Once they finally find their way to the deck, things are looking up - except for the sign that says: "Rotten Boards, Please Stay Off!" Well OK, we can just send the buyers around the house once they get their shoes back on. By the way, a note here: It is a bad idea to ask lakeshore buyers to take off their shoes - because they do like to walk through the house and go outside to see the lake right away. You are interrupting their natural flow when you send them back to get their shoes.

But you already knew about all these things - about staging your home and creating nice traffic flows - so these buyers were excited when they entered your immaculate waterfront home. The curb appeal was great, the lights were on for added brightness, and the shades were all open...but something was still wrong!

You always liked your privacy and hated boats watching you from the water. Your house wasn't that far from the lake, but you let all your trees and brush grow thick to create a barrier from all that activity. And there was no way you were going to change that, because what if your house didn't sell?

Well, I will tell you that you will have a lot better chance not selling it if the buyers can't see the water. Sure they can take down trees once they move in - based on local governing codes - but remember that they buy emotionally, and this is not an emotional draw for most of them.

Of course, as Realtors we hear those same types of reasons all the time for why sellers don't want to improve certain aspects of their property to help create a quicker sale. They don't want to change carpets because buyers may want a different color, they don't want to replace a broken garage door because buyers may want a different style, or they may not want to put down some grass seed because the buyers may pave that area over. And, they don't want to clean out any brush or trim any branches because the buyers might want the added privacy. They might...but then again, the odds aren't with you on that!