So, you’ve decided to sell your home? You’ve been through the mountains of paperwork, decided on a price, and chosen your agent carefully. Now comes the hard part: keeping your house in showing condition!
Keep it tidy: If you have children, you will find it 100 times more difficult to keep your home clean than the average person, but you must. Buyers see everything, and cannot get past a cluttered, messy or dirty home. Just remember, this is a short term situation, and you can do anything for a little while!
Never say no: So, you finally have buyers coming to view your home? Make sure to never refuse a showing for anything other than an emergency. Often the selling of your home is just a numbers game and the more qualified buyers through your door, the better your chances of that sale.
Info: What can you do to make your home stand out in their minds? One of the first things my buyers look for is those little informational packets. Inside is usually the MLS sheets, property disclosures, tax card, plat of the property, information about utility bills and any other miscellaneous information the agent feels is important. These are usually either bound or in a report cover of some sort. If your agent doesn’t provide these for you, ask for them.
Clean freak: Make sure your home is tidy. Take the time to pick up, vacuum, and make sure the mirrors are gleaming. All light reflecting surfaces must shine!
Light it up: It is also in your best interest to make sure to light any dark corners of your home. Open all windows so natural light is prevalent throughout. Leave lights on where there is no natural light.
Scents Sense: If you have time, pop something in the oven to make the house have a pleasing aroma. A cake, pan of cookies or just some cinnamon sprinkled on a pan and warmed will fragrance the entire home.
Music: I like to leave some generic instrumental music playing softly in the background when I leave, in the hopes that it will put my buyers at ease so that they will walk slowly and comfortably through my home. There are those that say noise is distracting, so keep the volume low if you choose to leave music on for your buyers.
Animal Control: Do you have pets? Hide the evidence from your buyers and lock up your pets for their safety, as well as buyer’s comfort.
Treat buyers as guests: One of the most cozy homes I’ve ever shown left a plate of cookies and a pitcher of pink lemonade on the kitchen counter for our showing. After many homes in the summer heat, guess which home we lingered in and I remember? Now, I always leave refreshments for my buyers. A simple gesture on the seller’s part can have a big impact on your buyer!
Get out: Perhaps most important of all: leave! It is important that you not be home during your showing. It nearly always inhibits the buyers, making them feel rushed not to inconvenience you, or uncomfortable to ask questions in your presence. You want the buyers to linger as long as possible!
Follow up: After the showing is over, make sure you give your agent the business cards left so that they are able to contact the showing agent for valuable feedback. Try not to take any criticism to heart. It is hard to hear that not everyone likes our decorating styles, but think of it as a way to appeal to the masses. Change what you can, and let the rest go. Good Luck!
