 SHOWING
THE HOUSE
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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