Showing Your Home
You never get a Second chance to make a First impression.
Unfortunately, in real estate a lot of buyers will judge the book by its cover. Making sure the outside of you home looks good gives buyers a good vibe as the move indoors:
- Make sure your front entrance is tidy and warm.
- Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn.
- Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear.
- Fresh mulch and colorful plants are always a must.
Focus on the Positive.
"How we live in a home and how we sell a home are often two different things." Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:
- Keep windows and floors clean.
- Wallpaper is typically a negative to a buyer. Make sure you replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall.
- Repair worn woodwork.
- Walls should be fresh and neutral..
- Steam clean carpeting or replace it, if necessary.
- Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws.
- Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.
Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:
- Open and Bright is a key during the showing. Open all your blinds.
- Remove clutter to better display spacious rooms. Now is the time to "clean" house.
- Arrange all your rooms for a an easy flow and remove excess furniture.
In General
Try to look at your house "through the buyer's eyes" as though you've never seen it or been there before. Any time or money spent on these items will bring you back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale.
Eleven Minute Showing Drill
Occasionally you will receive a call to schedule a showing to take place within the next few minutes. Don't panic, try to complete as many items on the list:
- Sound: Turn off the television and tune the radio (low volume) to a soft rock, middle of the road or classic rock station.
- Sight: Turn on every light in the house (day or night) and open every drape and blind (day time only).
- Odors: Heat some frozen pastry slowly in the oven or heat a pan on the stove and then drop in a few drops of vanilla.
- Kitchen: Wipe kitchen counters, place dirty dishes in dishwasher.
- Bathrooms: Wipe counters, flush and close toilets.
- Living/Family Rooms: Hide magazines, newspapers, and games; remove clutter.
- Bedrooms: Straighten beds. Hide clutter under bed (not in closet).
- Exterior: Put away toys and clutter. Keep walk clear.
- Children & Pets: They are a distraction, so send them outside.
- Goodbye: Sorry, but this is the single most important thing you can do in a showing to help sell your home! Even if the showing agent insists that it is okay to stay, you must leave. Buyers must get emotionally committed to your home to buy it and they cannot become emotional about "their new home" if you, the current owners, are "hanging around." Please, at the very least, go into the backyard. Even better, go to the store.
