Taken from an article on the WSJ.com microsite, and exclusive relationship with Sotheby’s International Realty. For the entire article, please click here.
Making the Connection that Makes the Sale
by Iyna Bort Caruso
Call it the X factor — that certain something that makes a distinctive home stand out in a neighborhood full of distinctive homes. It can be as discernible as a luxury amenity or as subtle as a muted design element, yet it has the power to elevate a real estate transaction from a business opportunity to an emotional attachment.
In today’s market, the component that says “choose me” can make all the difference, says David Boehmig of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty in Georgia. “In past years, there were just a handful of homes matching a buyer’s specifications. Today there can be dozens. Anything sellers can do to differentiate themselves helps their home create a lasting memory in the mind of the potential buyer.”
In some cases, that differentiator can be a frill a homebuyer wouldn’t think to put on his or her wish list. “A gas lantern outside the front door, for instance, is a little touch that makes the home feel inviting,” Boehmig says.