Top 10 Home Showing Tips

Top 10 Home Showing Tips

 

1. The Gracious Welcome

  • Although the buyer is a guest in your home, you want the buyer to imagine owning the home. You don’t want to make the buyer feel like an intruder.
  • Don’t expect the buyer to remove his/her shoes, unless you are selling to a buyer for whom religious or cultural reasons mandate it. Otherwise, the presumption may be insulting.
  • Leave the house. The buyer won’t talk about the house in front of you or open doors with you standing there.
  • Don’t pressure or hurry the buyer. Tell the buyer to take all the time that is needed.
  • Leave a bowl of wrapped candy or other treats near the front door with a small note thanking the buyer for coming to see your home.
 

2. Check the Temperature

  • Now is not the time to worry about your utility bill. If it’s cold enough to wear a sweater to stay warm, turn on the heat.
  • If it’s warm outside, turn on the air conditioning. It’s better to heat or cool the house a degree or two warmer/colder than usual and then set the temperature at normal. This prevents the heat or A/C from kicking on when the buyer is present because some HVAC systems are loud.
 

3. Create a Mood

  • Light a fire in the fireplace.
  • Make it romantic by placing two champagne glasses on a nearby table.
  • Turn on soft music.
  • If you have water fountains, turn them on. They are especially useful for drowning out traffic noise.
 

4. Play Down the Scent

  • Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers, so don’t.
  • Spray the air or plug-in air fresheners.
  • Don’t burn candles or spray perfume in the bedroom for the same reason.
  • If weather permits, open the windows.
  • If you’re going to bake cookies or simmer spices such as cinnamon in water on the stove, put out munchies so buyers aren’t disappointed.
 

5. Play Up the Visual

  • If you have seasonal photographs showcasing flower gardens and leaves.
  • Bursting in color or a snow-covered lawn twinkling from street lights, then display them in a prominent position.
  • Open all the window coverings to let in light.
  • Keep blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.
 

6. Light Up the House

  • Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights.
  • Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
 

7. Encourage Touching

  • Drape sensuous fabrics such as velvet or silk throw over chair arms.
  • Leave doors slightly ajar.
  • If you have carpeting, vacuum as often as possible. Especially before open houses.
  • Wash windows and walkways. Clean up leaves.
 

8. Provide Thoughtful Cards

  • Drape sensuous fabrics such as velvet or silk throw over chair arms.
  • Leave doors slightly ajar.
  • If you have carpeting, vacuum as often as possible. Especially before open houses.
  • Wash windows and walkways. Clean up leaves.
 

9. Top It Off With Food

  • The best way to entice buyers to linger and notice even more details about your home is to offer them food. You don’t need to cater a lunch, but finger sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, water, and desserts, all are welcome.
  • Set out serving utensils, if needed.
  • Provide plates, cups, and napkins. They can be paper products.
  • In plain sight, provide a waste receptacle.
 

10. Encourage Buyer Feedback and Be Open

  • Near the snacks, leave pens and a stack of pre-printed questionnaire cards or a guest book to sign.
  • Buyers will feel obligated to respond to your request after being fed.
  • The showing feedback you receive will be invaluable.
  • Allow buyer anonymity if they don’t want to leave their name and number.
  • Be open to feedback. It’s just an opinion, however, it may allow you to make adjustments.

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