How to leave a lasting impression when showing your home
Preparation for showing:
An inviting exterior calls for inspection of interior. Keep your lawn trimmed and edged – flower bed cultivated – the yard free and clear of refuse. Remove snow and ice from the walks and porch in the wintertime.
A step towards a SALE. Faded walls and worn wall work reduce desire. Do not tell the prospect how the place can be made to look – show him by redecorating first. A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in fresh paint and “elbow grease” will pay dividends and you cannot find a better investment when you are selling a house.
Bright, cheery windows and unmarked walls will assist your sale, as will sparkling clean floors, cobweb free ceilings, etc.
Check and repair caulking in bath tubs and showers. Make this room sparkle!
Loose knobs, sticking/squeaking doors and windows, and other minor flaws detract from a home’s value. Have them fixed. Many buyers believe there are 10 problems they haven’t noticed for every one they do see.
Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Short-term, off-site storage areas are relatively inexpensive or eBay and garage sales can get rid of that treasure trove, too!
Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
Neat, well-organized closets show that space is ample. A little money spent on closet organizers reaps large returns.
Neat, well-organized closets show that space is ample. A little money spent on closet organizers reaps large returns.
Colorful curtains in harmony with the floor and counter tops add appeal for the lady of the house. Nine times out of ten the lady of the house makes the buying decision.
Illumination is a welcome sign. Open drapes and blinds and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. For after-dark inspections, turn on your lights, from the front porch on through. The prospect will feel a glowing warmth otherwise impossible to attain.
During showings:
More will lose the sale. If at all possible, avoid being present during showings. The prospect will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house. Let the showing REALTOR® handle it; remember, the REALTOR® has worked many hours with these people, knows what they are looking for and how to work with them. Let him or her do the job without interference. You may feel that a REALTOR® is not showing the important features of your home to the prospective buyer, but the REALTOR® knows people are not sold by details until they have become emotionally involved with the big picture of your home. The presence of any member of the seller’s family is never beneficial, always unnerves possible buyers and often prevents a sale. Do not put this obstacle in your path.
Background “soft playing” music is beneficial. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the REALTOR® and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
This does not apply in house selling. Keep pets out of the way – preferably out of the house. Some people are uncomfortable around certain animals.
If you are present during a showing, be courteous but do not initiate conversation with the prospect. They there to inspect your house, not to pay a social call.
Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the prospect before he has purchased the house often loses the sale and shows an over-emphasized motivation to sell. Proper timing is important.
Do not discuss price, terms, possession or other factors with the customers. Refer them to your REALTOR® – he is better equipped to bring the negotiations to a favourable conclusion.
Just because the REALTOR® is not selling the features of your home this does not mean he or she is not doing their job. The correct way to show a home is to let the buyers walk through the home on their own and watch and listen. Once away from the sellers, it is comfortable to ask the buyers questions and the REALTOR® will do that.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!