If you're a seller, think like a buyer. Is your home as
presentable as it can be?
People often start forming their opinion even before they walk in the front
door. Once they're in your home, it only takes about two minutes to form a
lasting opinion about it.
Follow these steps for your house to look its best for broker previews, buyer
showings and open houses. Home enhancements can more than pay for themselves
in stronger offers from buyers. Remember - Look at your house through "buyers'
eyes".
First Steps
- Clean windows, walls and bathrooms
- Paint walls in need of a fresh coat
- Fix worn woodwork
- Clean or replace carpet
- Create a look of large storage areas and utility spaces by removing
unnecessary items and neatly organizing kitchen cupboards, bathroom
cabinets, garage, basement and attic
- Make closets appear adequate by properly hanging clothes and placing
shoes, hats and other items in an orderly fashion; remove items if
necessary
- Spend a few hours fixing up things that could potentially detract
from your home's value; i.e., prospective buyers see dripping faucets
and think your home has faulty plumbing
- Fix loose doorknobs, sticking drawers, warped cabinet doors, holes
in screens, windows that don't work, etc.
- Make sure your appliances work
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Maintain for each showing
- Exterior of home should have "curb appeal"
- Keep the lawn mowed and edged, shrubs trimmed, flower bed cultivated
- Sweep or remove snow and ice from the walkway
- Pick up lawn tools, toys, and newspapers
- Clean up after pets
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Interior
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- Pick up toys and shoes
- Make beds and put clothes away
- Tidy up bathrooms; set out "show" towels
- Do a quick dusting
- Give carpets a once-over with the vacuum; straighten rugs
- Empty wastebaskets.
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Atmosphere
- Open drapes and shades and turn on all lights to make your house
look light and bright; open windows to freshen rooms
- Set a comfortable temperature; cool in summer, warm in winter
- Turn off television; play soft background music
- Keep pets out of the way; make sure all pet areas- including litter
box - are clean and free of odor; use air freshner if necessary
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Added touches
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- Prepare tables with flowers and place settings; set out game or
"coffee table" book
- Start a fire in your fireplace on a chilly day
- Create pleasant aroma with fresh baked cookies or bread
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Special tips for showings
- Secure jewlery, cash, prescription medications and other valuables
- It is usually best if you can leave wihle your house is being shown;
if you're home, don't follow sales associates around - they know their
buyers and can best emphasize the most fitting features of your home
- Please save all business cards of sales associates who show your
property
- If people who are not accompanied by an agent ask to see your property,
please refer them to us; we will pre-screen them
- Don't discuss price, terms, possession or other factors with buyers.
Refer them to us. We are better able to bring negotiation to a favorable
conclusion as intermiediary third parties. It is also not a good idea
to try to dispose of furniture to a prospect before an offer; again
leave that to us.
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