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Your house should
always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be
inconvenient for you. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a convenient
place, to make it easy for other agents to show your home to homebuyers.
Otherwise, agents will have to schedule appointments, which is an
inconvenience. Most will just skip your home to show the house of someone
else who is more cooperative.
Most agents will call
and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your
property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just
skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be
with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your
home.
Why You Should
Not Be Home
Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and
they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit the local
coffee house, yogurt shop, or take the kids to the local park. If you
absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of the way area of the
house and do not move from room to room. Do not volunteer any information,
but answer any questions the agent may ask.
Lighting,
Fragrances, Pet Control and More
Lighting
When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all
the indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day. At night, a lit
house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the
daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it
brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with
the lights on.
Fragrances
Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and
many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that
some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house,
have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner for a
moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you
have been cooking.
Pet Control
If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your
listing in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to
have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know
someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with you while
the homebuyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep
dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cats in a
specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door. Most
of the time, an indoor cat will hide when buyers come to view your
property, but they may panic and try to escape.
The Kitchen
Trash
Especially if your kitchen trash can does not have a lid, make sure you
empty it every time someone comes to look at your home – even if your
trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Remember that you want to send a
positive image about every aspect of your home. Kitchen trash does not
send a positive message. You may go through more plastic bags than usual,
but it will be worth it.
Keeping the
House Tidy and Neat
Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is
recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty
glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed.
Try your best to have it look like a model home – a home with furniture
but nobody really lives there. |
