Home sellers who wish to market their property in development 
neighborhoods face tough challenges. All the houses look similar. 
All the houses sell for amounts in the same price range. The 
market -- whether it's a hot sellers' market or a cool buyers' 
market -- largely determines the price, purchase terms, and 
length of time to sell.

How do you make your home stand out from the crowd? How can you 
turn your property into a "hot" sale, even if the market's 
lukewarm? Remember the "Three M's" and apply these Design 
Psychology strategies as you stage your home for sale:

1. Magnetism.  Because most buyers won't even get out of their 
car unless a home shows promise, create an exciting exterior that 
draws prospective buyers to your home. Place an interesting focal 
point in your front yard, such as a water fountain, a large urn, 
or a beautiful tree. Enhance your walkway with enticing plants or 
light fixtures that clearly mark the path to the front door. Use 
color psychology to either paint your front door or its framework 
a happy, inviting color, such as Sherwin William's Torchlight 
(golden wheat) or  Rose Tan.

2. Mystery. Most home searchers only spend three to four minutes 
looking at the average home. Enchant with mystery as soon as the 
prospects enter your home. Make the buyer take a second look by 
using Design Psychology lighting tricks. Place a palm tree so 
that it partially blocks the view of the hallway. Uplight the 
palm tree with a canister light that casts captivating shadows 
on the walls and ceiling.

3. Memory. Home shoppers look at many houses in a row. Your goal 
is to get the buyers to remember your home above all others. 
Design psychology can help you do this. Think about your buyers' 
dream: they want a lifestyle --not just a house. Make your buyers 
believe that if they choose your home, they will have the 
privilege and right to take a nap in that "fantastic garden 
hammock," read a great book in your private reading nook, or 
cook a delicious meal in your gourmet kitchen.

Turn heads with your enticing home. Turn viewers into buyers. 
Turn your typical development home into a buyers' dream home 
using home staging methods that create a lifestyle delight.



© Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher   All rights reserved. 

Jeanette Fisher, author of Joy to the Home Journal, Sell Your 
Home for Top Dollar--FAST, and Home Staging for Top-Dollar Sales, 
teaches design psychology college courses and professional real 
estate investing seminars. For home selling tips see:
http://www.sellfast.info
For home staging strategies see: 
http://www.homestaging.us