How to Show Your Home to Buyers

Home Staging - Welcome Mat

Showing Your Home — As a homeowner, you play a vital part in the timely sale of your home. When you take the following steps, you’ll have a much better chance of making a great first impression when showing your home to prospective buyers. Assuming that you have already prepared your home for sale, here are some showing tips:

1) Think Your Safety First
You should never let an unannounced visitor into your home. Professional agents always set appointments in advance of showings. If someone shows up unannounced, it could be for a legitimate reason, but nobody should ever be let in without an appointment. Criminals can use a for sale sign as an invitation. You should consult your local police department for advice on how to safely show your home.

2) Make the Most of that First Impression
A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. The fewer obstacles between the prospective buyer and the true appeal of your home, the better.

3) Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends
Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If you’re worried about time, hire professional cleaners to get your house ready. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look “with a little work.”

4) Check Faucets and Bulbs
Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospective buyers in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.

5) Don’t Shut Out a Sale
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily oil that sticky lock. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

6) Think Buyer Safety
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your home is as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

7) Make Room for Space
Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your garages and attics are clean and free of unnecessary items.

8) Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.

9) Create Dream Bedrooms
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

10) Open up in the Daytime
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is. Even in the daylight, interior lights should always be turned on for better showings.

11) Lighten up at Night
Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights – both inside and outside – when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

12) Avoid Crowd Scenes
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they’re likely to hurry through. The buyers should always be left alone with their agent to view the home.

13) Watch Your Pets
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

14) Think Volume
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the stereo or TV. Some soft background music can be a plus, but when in doubt, keep things quiet.

Now that you’re all set and waiting for your first buyer, you should begin planning for your move.