You Only Get Two Chances To Make A First Impression

I am having the devil of a time writing this one.

I want to communicate, to both sellers and buyers, how important First Impressions are. And why they are so, well, fragile.

But, I keep sliding into Freudian examples, or into statistics about how the human brain works, or into the psychology of merchandising. I wrote several scenarios - all amusing, all excellent examples, all, I suspect, too weird.

sigh

Okay, Let's just jump in.

Let's say "My First Impression is the feeling I get when I see a house for the first time." Where does that feeling come from? And, what does it mean?

First Impressions happen fast
Psychological studies show that "First Impression" feeling (about anything) really does happen within seconds of the first look. Many, many people get a feeling about the place pretty much at the same time they see it.

First Impressions happen for a variety of reasons
There are two "flavors" of First Impressions, logical and emotional.
Logical impressions come from conscious decisions. If a buyer really likes Victorian architecture, wants to buy a Victorian, then, logically, they are going to experience a positive, hopeful, 'is this the one?' feeling when they drive up to a Victorian style house.

Emotional impressions come from deep inside. They come from life experience. In psychological terms, they are learned reactions: both harder to understand and harder to overcome.

First Impressions usually stick
Once a potential buyer has a First Impression of a house, it is likely to color everything else they see and feel about the house.


What does this mean for sellers?
First Impressions are absolutely, unequivocally, immensely critical to marketing your house. You are going to lose potential buyers if you cannot evoke positive First Impressions.

"You only get two chances to make a First Impression"
I am going to talk about this a lot more in the next blogs. Photos on the Internet are one way potential buyers get their First Impression of your house. Physical sight, driving up and looking, is the other way. You have to address both.

What does this mean for buyers?
Positive or negative, always evaluate your First Impression.

Is your reaction logical or emotional? Are you reacting to something fundamental (sagging foundation), fixable (sagging garage door), ephemeral (swing set in the front yard), or obscure (dark or blurred photos on the Internet)? When you figure out where your First Impression came from, you will be in a better position to decide whether to look or drive away.

NEVER forget to consider location, specifications, condition, and price. If your reaction is negative, but all of these are just what you want, then walk inside and view the house. Refine your First Impression.


Next up - First Impressions: We're all living in a virtual world

Have a truly wonderful Thursday!