Let There Be Light!

Lighting is a determining factor when buyers choose a home. Light and bright sells, so here are several tips to make sure your home outshines the rest:

1. LET THE LIGHT IN

Natural light is your friend when it comes to attracting buyers. Take down the heavy drapes, clean the windows, and cut back the bushes to let the sunshine in. Be sure to open all the blinds and curtains when you show the home to create a sunny first impression. You also want to turn on every light in the house for showings to continue that feel throughout the home. When it comes to selling your home, the brighter the better.

2. MODERNIZE FIXTURES

Next to paint, updating light fixtures can make the biggest impact for the least amount of money. Modern fixtures impress buyers and can breathe new life into an older home. To save money, check the clearance section at least once a week to find some incredible buys on fantastic fixtures that can transform your home.

3. CHOOSE WARM COLOR TONES

The color tone of your light bulbs can determine the mood of your home. Blue tones tend to create a colder feel, while golden tones tend to evoke warmth. Light brightness is measured in kelvin, and the lower the number, the warmer the color of the bulb. Most light bulbs come with a chart on the side of the packaging that shows where those bulbs fall on the warmth scale. Be sure to choose bulbs that emit a color tone that’s at the scale’s lower end so that your home will feel warm and welcoming to buyers.

4. FOCUS ON YOUR ASSETS

Strategic lighting is a great way to show off the features in your home. In rooms with high ceilings, recessed lighting can help you accentuate the size of the space and make it appear larger than a traditional, single fixture. In the kitchen, task lighting can create depth in the room and under cabinet lighting can focus attention on the beauty of the countertops. A stylish, stand alone lamp is useful for lighting up dark corners, which will help the room appear larger. You can also use lighting to expand the use of the space. For example, instead of a dark, useless corner, a well-appointed chair and the right light fixture can turn it into an inviting reading nook.

5. ILLUMINATE YOUR EXTERIOR

Your exterior light fixtures give buyers a preview of what’s inside, so be sure they are updated and create a great first impression. Lighted walkways and landscape lighting give the home a rich, inviting feel, and can be affordably added thanks to the numerous solar-powered options now on the market.

So much of what prompts buyers to pull the trigger and offer on a home comes down to emotion. If you follow these tips, your lighting will create the warmth and welcome buyers will find hard to resist.

If you would like more tips on lighting your home to sell or need help purchasing a property, we would love to help. Call Buchanan Realty today, and one of our outstanding agents will get right to work so that you will soon be ON THE MOVE!

Jeff & Heather Buchanan are both real estate brokers with Buchanan Realty, LLC, and have offices in Lufkin and at the Lake. Jeff has a background in real estate appraisal, which gives him a distinct advantage when it comes to pricing and valuating properties for his clients. Heather is also a state licensed attorney, which gives her unique insight into the intricacies of the legal documents that accompany real estate transactions. They work tirelessly to help their clients achieve their real estate goals, and base their business upon biblical principles. Call them at the Lufkin office (936) 632-7700 or by cell (936) 240-1700 today!

Email your real estate questions to: jeff@lufkinproperties.com or heather@buchananrealtyteam.com

We’d love to hear from you!