Preparing and Showing Your Home
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Remember what first attracted you to your house when you bought it? What excited you about its most appealing features? Now that you're selling your home, you'll need to look at it as if you were buying it all over again.
A spruced up house makes a great first impression on potential buyers. An attractive property grabs their attention and makes them excited about finding a house that looks and feels well-cared for. Because buyers know they'll encounter fewer problems if they buy it, your house becomes more appealing and stands out from the competition. So if you prepare your home correctly, you'll save time selling it when it's on the market.
A good first impression makes an impact on a number of levels. It's not just the way your house looks to potential buyers, but how it feels and smells to them, how their friends and family will react, how they imagine it would be to live there. With simple improvements throughout your house, you can grab the attention of potential buyers and help them see why your house is right for them.
Exterior
• Lawn carefully mowed, edged, fertilized and watered.
• Trees and shrubs trimmed; flower beds edged, weeded and cultivated.
• Driveways and walks free of snow or grass clippings.
• Exterior house paint in good condition and clean, especially the front door.
• All door locks open properly and easily.
• Roof in good condition.
• Screens and screen doors repaired.
• All exterior lighting in working condition, with fresh bulbs.
• Absence of clutter in yard and driveway.
Interior
• Walls clean and unmarked, preferably freshly painted with neutral colors.
• Windows clean inside and out.
• All light fixtures working and fresh bulbs in each.
• Plumbing in good repair.
• No cooking, smoking, pet or other objectionable odors.
• Sinks and tubs stain-free; faucets in good repair.
• Caulking in tubs and showers in good repair.
• All clutter removed from closets, attic, basement, garage and other storage areas.
• Ask me what should be boxed up to give your home a more spacious look.
Showing Your Home
When your home is to be shown, we will always attempt to make an appointment with you, giving you as much advance notice as possible. To help make the best impression during showings, we suggest you:
• Open draperies and curtains.
• Turn on enough lights to brighten every corner, day and night.
• Remove dirty dishes.
• Make beds.
• Rooms dusted, vacuumed and clutter-free.
• Kitchens and baths sparkling clean; no clutter on counter-tops.
• Noise is distracting. Be sure TV and radios are turned off, although soft background music is acceptable.
• It's best to keep pets out of the house. Even the friendliest pets become anxious when strangers appear.
• Put away valuables such as jewelry and cash, or remove completely.
• Never enter into a conversation with a prospect. Let the REALTORŪ who is showing your home answer any questions the prospective buyers may have. It is best for you to leave while the house is being shown.
• If a prospective buyer comes by unexpectedly without a broker, get their name and phone number. FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION, DO NOT SHOW THE HOME. Have unescorted buyers call your REALTORŪ for an appointment.
