The term "buzz" has been coined by marketers as "marketing that creates excitement, or "buzz", by word of mouth" marketing.  Often it is used in the blogosphere for something that everyone is talking about on blogs, or has been ranked well.  Today I am going to start to explore how to create "buzz" in marketing your house, to get the traffic, and ultimately get the cha-ching from your property.  Most of these will work, whether you are someone who has lived in the home, and are selling, or are an investor selling.

     In reading my previous posts, you already have the information to make the house sparkle.  One more point I want to make is to have one extra special feature, that will draw buyers to the house, and back to the house.  Don't go way overboard, but in a lower price house, that feature might be a granite tile countertop, or a special bath tub, or shower.  Maybe it will be a hot tub, or at least hot tub ready, (plumbing, and elect.). Or a fenced backyard, with a wooden play center for the kids.  For a higher priced house maybe that feature should be an outdoor kitchen.  Don't put in an entire outdoor kitchen, but perhaps you could take a $300-400 grill, and build it in with brick, stone, or stucco facing, and create a countertop to one side, using granite, or stone, or ceramic for the counter surface.

     I can't stress enough, the first impressions the potential buyer gets.  The curb appeal is so important.  I am not suggesting expensive fixes like some of the shows on TV, but simple things that will give a great impression.  A newly painted mailbox, or a new mailbox.  And, if the season is right for it, plant some flowers around it, or get a blooming vine that is taller, and plant at the mailbox.  Those of us in milder winter climates have no excuse to have an attractive area around the mailbox.  I am aware of problems with this in harsher winter climates, since I lived in a harsh winter area most of my life.  In some of those areas, perhaps a decoration hung on the mailbox would be appropriate.

     Stand back, take a look, are there areas in the landscape that don't look good?  Trim, replace, or plant bushes, and plants.  Do the trees need trimming, or is there a lack of trees?  The grass should be cut, and edged, and the driveway, and sidewalks should be in fairly good condition, and clean.  The house has been painted, and a contrasting color has been painted on the door.  There is good lighting at the front door, and perhaps a door knocker, or kick plate has been added.  The door has a wreath, and/or a pot of flowers on the front porch.

     Now that the outside of the house is showing a lot of "bling", the property is starting the marketing road to Cha-Ching!

     My next post will explore staging as a marketing technique.  If you liked this post please subscribe.  As always, feel free to comment.  Comments are welcome!