Showing Tips

From time-to-time, Cyndi will call and make an appointment to show your home to a potential buyer. It’s during the showing that your home needs to look it’s very best. It might be helpful to create a plan of action and assign duties to family members so your home can be prepared for a showing on short notice. Use these showing tips to help create the right ambiance.

Of course, the house should be clean and ready to view at all times. This is very important to give the right first impression. When someone steps into a home they are thinking of buying, they expect a pleasant scent, hallways and rooms free of clutter, and sanitary bathroom and kitchen facilities. These three themes can be your guide to staging and preparing your home for a showing.

Make the house bright and cheerful but turning on all the lights and opening all the window coverings. If weather permits, open some windows for the showing so the air is fresh. Scented candles, incense, fresh baked anything, or potpurri simmering in a low temperature oven will infuse your home with a pleasant aroma.

Be sure clutter is put away and the garbage bin is empty. Consider placing fresh flowers on the dining room table. If it’s winter, set your thermostat to be a little warmer than usual so the house feels cozy. Make room for boots and overcoats near the entrance. Some buyers might be interested to see photos of your garden or landscaping if they cannot view these things in the winter. Make arrangements for pets to be in a separate area or outside.

Finally, make plans to go for a walk or leave the residence during the showing. This gives buyers an opportunity to be openly critical in their decision-making. Their agent may want to give opinions on the area or features of your home that the buyer needs to know about and it will be more comfortable for everyone if they can talk confidentially during the showing.