Have you ever looked at your welcome mat? We sure do look at a lot of them as we go in  and out of homes to show to families looking to buy a home in Charlotte.

Some welcome mats are just fine.... And others have leaves and dirt and mulch built up around them. Many are old. Many are worn. Some are... inappropriate.

Fact is, this is something that is often overlooked by the home sellers as they are frantically cleaning up for a scheduled showing. They do not think about the first impression being the front door, the mat, the doorbell... they think about the entryway... which is good. It is just not enough.

Not all buyers will get caught up by the look of a ragged welcome mat. Some won't even notice. But I can tell you from experience that those who do have a clouded view of the home from then on. Perception is reality when it comes to real estate. If a buyer thinks you are the kind of homeowner who did not pay attention to details, who doesn't maintain the simple things in a house, they will jump to the conclusion that there are other things in the house that were not taken care of.

Then there is the psychological effect on a buyer when they are truly "welcome" into a home. It makes them feel wanted. It makes them feel comfortable. A buyer will not buy a home if they do not get a positive feeling from a house. No matter how superstitious or ruled by emotions someone is, they can't help but be affected by a dirty, torn mat that says: "go away!"

A new welcome mat costs anywhere from $12 $25 at the local home goods or hardware store. Make your prospective homebuyers feel welcome... put out a (nice) welcome mat!