Your Home Showings: How to Stand Out from the Rest

Don’t Panic: You come first. This is your home. You have your life to live, just do the best you can.

First Impressions: Homes are very similar to people, the first impression can set the tone for the rest of the preview.  Curb appeal can make a big difference in the over all impression of your home.  Keep your lawn trimmed and edged, flowerbeds cultivated, the yard free and clear of refuse.  Consider pressure washing your driveway and sidewalks.  It is amazing what a difference it can make to the over all appeal of the home.  Clean out gutters and roofs – these items will be inspected so it’s better to take care of them ahead of time.

Simplify Your Home: Rent a storage unit to put away unused items. Consider remove all artwork and grocery lists from the refrigerator.

Remove Personal Pictures: You want prospective buyers to see themselves living in your home.  If can be hard to do when they are looking at your family photographs and not looking at your home. A few photos around the home is just fine.  Just think about how a model home or even a vacation rental property looks for inspiration.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home: Clean windows and unmarred walls will assist your sale. Don’t forget the tubs! Clean bathrooms & kitchen are a must and make a huge impact on buyers. Have carpets professionally cleaned or replaced if needed.

Fix the Faucet: Dripping water discolors the enamel and calls for questions about faulty plumbing.

Roll Up Your Sleeves: Loose doorknobs, sticking drawers and warped cabinet doors are noticed by the prospect. Have them fixed. If you don’t have time or it is our of your comfort zone, call us if you’d like a referral to a great handyman!

Closet Illusions: Clothes properly hung, shoes, hats and other articles neatly placed, will make your closet appear adequate. Pack and store excess items.

Kitchen: Keep ovens and under the sink areas clean. They often get inspected. Fresh flowers help brighten up a table.

Stash Valuables: Keep money, prescription drugs, and other valuables, out of view.

Check Your Bathroom: Bright and clean bathrooms sell many homes. Keep toilet lids down. Invest in a new set of towels, again – clean under the sink.

Bedrooms: Arrange them to feel spacious and clean, beds made.

The Brighter the Better: Illumination is a welcome sign, so consider opening your blinds. For after-dark inspections, turn on your lights from the front porch in and throughout. The prospect will feel a glowing warmth. Also turn on the light in the daytime for rooms that are not so bright. Replace burned out light bulbs!

Three’s a Crowd: We would always recommend that you not be present when the Realtor and the prospect come to preview your home.  If for some reason you have to be home, I would recommend that when they arrive you should greet them courteously, then disappear. Children and pets should be kept clear. Don’t volunteer and comment unless asked. Remember, the prospect is there to view – the home.

Shut Off the Television: The TV can distract from the home. Let the agent and the buyer talk free of any disturbance.

We Love Our Pets: It is better to have pets out of the way or out of the house during showings.

Be Aware of Odors: People will linger in a fresh, pleasant smelling home. Stale air or bad odors make them want to leave and can ruin the sale.  Consider opening windows to let fresh air circulate through your home ever so often.  Also, it never hurts to keep Febreze handy so you can give a final spritz before a preview.

A Word to the Wise: Do not discuss price, terms, possession or other factors with the customers. Refer them to me. As a seller, most anything you can say could compromise your position. As a third party, a realtor is in a much better situation to negotiate a favorable conclusion.