Showing your property to it's fullest
potential
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.
Try Not to 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 they 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
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 (or the oven) 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.
Keep the House Tidy
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.
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