First Impressions of a Country Property

Preparing a country property for sale is a little more complicated than just staging a house. It’s ALL about first impressions. And nothing says more about the stewardship of a property than the condition of the pasture and fencing. Well-maintained fencing and nicely kept fields are often the first impression one gets as they enter a property and set the tone for the showing.

Broken fence boards, crooked gates, and weedy pastures can make the difference between a perception of a fixer-upper and a well managed farm. Often, it’s just a weekend with some hand tools and mowers that turn the tide.

If your property is large enough that we might drive upon the land, make that as easy as possible. Make sure the gates swing well and stay put as we drive through. If there is an ideal route for Realtors in their four-wheel drive vehicles, you might consider bush-hogging a route to follow. Especially if there is a dramatic building site they should see.

First impressions apply to your home as well so take care of peeling or faded paint, wobbly porch rails, and muddy dog smudges. I have found country property buyers to be more forgiving of a home’s foibles when charm and character are evident, so show off those old wood floors, that classic woodwork, and those noisy old radiators. If there is a great view out that window, make sure the curtains are open.

Country property buyers are keenly interested in the land, often more so than the house, so make sure they have all the information they need to understand the property lines. A survey is the definitive tool, but sometimes an aerial view of the property is the easiest to understand and can even show the shape and sizes of the adjoining properties which is often of interest as well.

Bottom line…do what you can to make your property easy to show and understand. Make sure your Realtor is a country property specialist who can convey the special features of your land and your home.

Want to know more? Visit CharlottesvilleCountry.com for more country property content from John Ince.