Your Real Estate Agent will give you as much notice as possible before a bringing a potential buyer to your home for a showing. However, it’s a good idea to keep your home neat and orderly, and ready to be shown at a moment’s notice.
What to expect when your home is listed and ready to show:
Your Real Estate Agent may hang a lock box on your door to allow licensed Real Estate Agents to show your home when you’re not there.
Your Real Estate Agent may schedule an open house, so that interested buyers can tour the home without an appointment. Open houses are usually scheduled on a weekend afternoon. It is preferred that sellers leave their home during an open house.
If potential buyers (or just curious lookers) “drop by” and want to see your home, take their name and number and refer them to your Real Estate Agent. Don’t show them the house yourself without your Real Estate Agent there to represent you.
When Your Home Is To Be Shown
It is vital in the home selling process to have your home looking its best when an agent shows it to potential buyers. Review the following tips to make sure home is ready for a showing.
Turn on all the lights, including the outside entrance, even during the daytime. Having the lights on brightens up dim areas and prevents harsh shadows caused by sunlight.
Turn off the TV.
Take your pets with you or ask a friend to keep the pets. This is especially important during an open house.
Put out fresh flowers, your best towels and a nice tablecloth, if suitable to your decor.
It is best to leave when a Real Estate Agent brings a buyer to your house. This allows the buyer to take his or her time going through the house and to feel more comfortable asking questions. If you stay, be polite, but let the agent handle the questions, unless you are asked directly.
Do not use scented sprays; in addition to being obvious, the scent may cause an allergic reaction in some people. A potpourri pot gives off a more natural aroma, as does vanilla. Place a drop of vanilla on a stove burner and turn it on for just a moment, to emit a “freshly baked cookies” aroma.
Empty your kitchen trash, even if it is stored under the kitchen sink.
Keep the beds made in all bedrooms.
Open all draperies and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible.
Pick up newspapers, magazines, empty glasses and other miscellaneous items that tend to get left behind in the living room or family room.
Keep the floors swept, mopped or vacuumed.
Dust daily.
If you are thinking of selling a home, or want to talk with an expert Real Estate Agent, please work with a Crestico Agent. An agent at one of our local offices will be glad to talk with you, and help you in all of your Real Estate needs.
