How to Prepare for Showings

    Preparing for showings is often the most stressful issue for seller’s when marketing their home especially when there are young children and pets to consider. It is always best not to be present during showings. If this is not possible then excuse yourself and your pets to another part of the home during the showing so as not to interfere. A good compromise is to wait until the showing arrives, invite them in and then excuse yourself and your pets and walk around the block or visit a neighbor.

    Resist the urge to personally tour your home and its features. While it seems it seems only logical that you know your home best and can demonstrate everything that makes it wonderful but, in reality this is counterproductive. Overselling a home on the initial visit drives away most buyers. The buyer’s agent is an expert at showing and selling homes and will do an exceptional job showing your homes best features. Even if you think the agent isn’t doing a good job remember the buyer’s agent knows their client’s personality, likes and dislikes better than you.

Setting the Stage – A last minute checklist before your showing:

    Buyer’s rely primarily upon their visual sense when evaluating a home so creating an attractive visual pallet is essential and can make the difference between a sale or not. Just think of all the home remodel and staging shows on cable TV if you need proof.

A few simple tips you can do last minute:

1) Open all your blinds and curtains to allow as much light as possible into the home.

2) Turn on ALL your lights to create a warm attractive setting.

3) Open all interior doors and lower the toilet seats.

4) Clear off countertops of debris and unnecessary items. Give the kitchen countertop a quick wipe down.

5) Empty the sink of all dishes.

6) Make the beds.

7) Pick up any laundry.

8) Empty bathroom trash cans. Also take out the kitchen trash and recycling because it leads to foul odors.

9) Quickly vacuum the main areas of the home.

    Often overlooked by sellers is the powerful sense of smell which has ruined more deals than I care to think about. You might not smell your pets it buyers smell them right away. I can’t tell you how many buyers I have worked with who have said, “This home smells like cat” and then leave without any interest. It is very important that you address issues like pet odor and stale musty areas like bath and laundry rooms.

A few simple tips you can do last minute:

1) Empty litter boxes and move food dishes to the garage or patio.

2) Pick up laundry and do not leave wet towels around.

3) Empty trash and recycling before a showing.

4) Light a scented candle in kitchen and bathroom (mild please).

5) Use a spray freshener like Fabreeze without fragrance. Seller’s often put too much fragrance in the air which is almost as bad.

6) Put away your dishes in the dishwasher and put away food.

7) Try not to cook anything within one hour of a showing.

    Finally, sound can be relaxing so turn on at a low volume level some music. Classical or light jazz is most effective.

    Simplify these tasks by staying on top of them in between showings. Also, try to narrow down the areas you use in the home while it is on the market so you have fewer areas to address. For example, once the guest bedroom or basement is clean and organized try not to use it that way you won’t have to clean it for each showing.

    In the end a well staged home will sell quicker and for more money which will turn the long run into a short one with a favorable outcome.