Home Showing Tips for Sellers
- Always be prepared to show. Keep your home clean and clutter free at all times. Don't forget about that litter box if you have cats.
- Make buyers feel welcomed and treat them as guests in your home.
- Open all window coverings to let the light in. Turn on all lights, including lights that highlight artwork.
- Unless it's for religious or cultural reasons, don't ask the buyer to remove their shoes. If you are trying to protect the flooring from heavy showing traffic, provide shoe covers.
- Leave the house and allow the buyer more than ample time to view your home. Buyers feel pressured with you standing there and won't talk about the house in front of you or open doors.
- Secure your pets. If you cannot take your pets with you, secure them for their safety and the safety of the buyer. Your dog may be pleasant to visitors when you are in the home, but complete strangers entering the home can be a different story. Additionally, do not put the responsibility on the buyer to watch your pets from getting out.
- Leave a bowl of treats near the front door with a small note thanking the buyer for coming to see your home.
- Adjust the thermostat according to the weather. Buyers will quickly leave a home if the temperature inside is uncomfortable. It also gives the buyer reason to believe something is wrong with the heating / cooling unit.
- Set the mood. If you have a fireplace, light it if weather permits. Turn off distracting TV's and radios, and play continuous soft music. Turn on water fountains. Display a bouquet of fresh flowers.
- Be "scent"sative. Many scents and deodorizers are overpowering, so don't spray or plug-in air fresheners. What you think smells good may not appeal to your buyer and they will get the impression you are trying to mask unpleasant odors. Instead, bake a batch of cookies prior to the showing (you can use these as your treats), or simmer spices such as cinnamon in water on the stove.
- Display eye level information cards pointing out features of the home, i.e. "Look up to see the crown molding."
- Have neighborhood information and color flyers for the buyer to take away with them.