Selling

Tips to a Better Showing

Less is best. Buyers would like to visualize themselves living in your home. So when your home is cluttered with unnecessary items, it keeps them from being able to have that vision.  Put excess furniture in storage, clean your garage and remove extra clothing from closet.

Keep home clean.  A clean house will make a strong impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for.  Clean off the countertops, clean the floors, windows, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, wax the floors. It may be worth hiring a cleaning service if your budget will allow for it.

Tidy up your yard. The exterior side of your home will be the first buyers see which means this will be the first impression they will make of your home. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways and clean the gutters.

Then there was light. Open the curtains/drapes. Put in higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms. Buyers want to see what could be their home, so when they are not able to see inside a closet or a bedroom, you may have turned your buyer away

Put away pets.  Let the real estate agent aware that you have pets. If possible, crate them or confine them to one room.

Minor repairs. Don’t disregard small repairs because it could make or break the sale of your home.  Small problems such as sticky doors, dripping faucets, bad painting, and torn screens may seem insignificant, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

Put away valuables. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all at one time.

Bad Smells. Clean the carpets take out the trash and open windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles may help with cooking, smoke and pet odors.

Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away old towels, toothbrushes, curling irons and personal  items. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Consider adding a new shower curtain, fancy guest soaps and fresh new towels.

Leave the home. It’s usually better if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to be in your home with the need to voice their opinion and you’re standing right there.