Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers homebuyers fashion home runs and strikeouts when shopping for a home. It might not be obvious that what you wear when house hunting can impact what you pay for a home. Years of showing homes and introducing prospective buyers to home sellers, the way buyers project themselves fashion-wise makes a big impression.
First impressions by real estate agents and home sellers are all they have when assessing potential buyers. If you appear well-groomed, under-stated and wear home price-range-appropriate clothes you could pay less than the tattooed, big-hair, over-jeweled and torn-blue jean buyer your in competition with in multiple-offers for the same home. Buying a home is a business transaction, think business wear when shopping for a home.
Women
-Pants Are fine, but make sure they're not low riders.
-Ditch The tee shirts, tank and tube tops. House hunting is not a vacation.
-Skirts Are great. Minis send the wrong message.
-Wear Comfortable but presentable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, climbing up stairs and in and out of transportation.
-Forget High-heels. Spiked heels on shoes can easily dent bamboo and other softer wood floors. Plus if you got into the yard to take a look at the roof you might end up aerating the lawn.
-Leave The animal prints for when you're out to a nightclub. Busy or fussy fashion looks can be distracting and not on everyone's top ten fashion list.
-Simple Jewelry and limited amounts accent your business perspective. Omit the "bling" otherwise you might end up paying more for a home, because the sellers think you can afford it.
-Simplify Make-up, hair and manicure styles to appeal to the majority of people. You're not going to get a better deal because the sellers love your fabulous acrylic nails.
-No Fur coats, ever. It's a political and extravagant statement that could cost you a home or an additional $ 10,000.
-No Low cut or revealing looks. Very rarely do homebuyers get a discount for sex.
Men
-Verify Shoe soles are not caked with mud before you enter any open house. Many a homebuyer never made it to the kitchen after walking across freshly cleaned carpet with dirty shoes.
-No Jogging, gym-wear, bike shorts or swimsuits. Unless, you're testing the workout facilities in a condominium building on your second visit.
-Business-Casual pants are best, but if you must wear jeans, make sure they're clean and not ripped.
-Open Collar shirts work fine, but realty agents and home sellers do not need to see your buffed or not so buffed chest or four gold chains.
-Think Twice about sporting more than one earring. If we were all the same life would be boring.
-Omit Muscle and tee shirts and no underwear elastic waistbands displayed please. You might turn Ms. home seller on, but Mr. home seller might not appreciate it.
-Limit Tattoo exposure, they're the rage, but not for everyone. Ditto the ladies on this one.
-Wear Simple patterned shirts with matching plain pants. Remember that red denotes power.
-Don't Over-dress to impress. Leave the cuff links and French cuffed shirts at home.
Both
-Coffee "Go-cups" are not a fashion accessory. Coffee is easily spilled on carpets when walking up stairs or opening closets and cabinets when touring properties.
-Baseball Caps are for bad hair days. Plus they send the wrong negotiating message when purchasing the largest asset you'll own.
-Wet Umbrellas should be parked outside the front door, not on hardwood floors or entry tables and chairs.
-Wear Slip on shoes when touring open houses. You might be asked to remove your shoes out of cultural respect to the owner, inclement weather or newly installed floor coverings.
-If You do not want to take off your shoes buy and carry blue disposable surgical booties-or ask your agent for a pair.
-You Must wear socks or stockings. No sandals, period. If you are asked to remove your shoes, owners do not necessarily want your bare feet on their floors.
-Cell Phones. If you need to make or receive a call go to a place where you will not disturb others at the open house. Never negotiate a home purchase contract on a different property contract while your viewing a home.
-Carry Bicycle and motorcycle helmets with you. Ask before your park them on any surface.
-Shorts Are okay if they are close to knee length. No torn or overly tight styles.
-Dress For the season. Do not wear shorts in snow or black wool in August, even if it is your best house-hunting outfit.
-Remove Your sunglasses when inside buildings. People expect some eye contact.
-Go Easy on the perfume. Many people have allergies to it today and they could be the owners of the house you fell in love with.
-Put Cigarettes, cigars and pipes out of view. They're not exactly a popular fashion or political statement in 2006.
Children
-Tops, Pants, shoes and socks required.
-Diapers Are not fashion.