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10 Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Showing
So you're going to show your house to prospective buyers. Congratulations on getting everything ready to go up to this point. You've likely decided on a price and put out some advertising to indicate that you're ready to sell. Now comes the hard part. A house that shows well is far more likely to sell, and for a higher price. Here are our 10 basic tips for getting the most out of your own showing.
Clean Everything
A clean home signals to the buyer that the house has been well kept and cared for and is more than likely in good repair. Messy and dirty homes indicate a lack of attention and consideration on the part of the seller and can dissuade a buyer from interest in your property.
Unclutter the House
Clear out the place before you invite buyers inside. Make a trip to the Goodwill, have a garage sale, empty closets, and generally reduce the amount of "stuff" hanging around. The less furniture and stuff you have in the home, the bigger and more spacious it will look, especially in the closets.
Let the Light In
Sunlight sells. Raise the shades and open the blinds to let as much natural light into the house as possible, in every room. A bright, open room is much more open and inviting that a dark and stuffy cave.
Let the Fresh Air In
You don't always have the option to open a window in February but a house that is closed up for too long can develop musty odors that are unattractive to home shoppers. Make a point to use fresh flowers, potpourri, incense, and any other means of creating a pleasant, fresh air smell throughout the home. Buyers are most offended by the odors of cigarettes, pets, garbage, and sour laundry.
Fix Anything that's Broken
This includes plumbing, electrical wiring, doors, fixtures, and any other cracks or wobbles that may indicate a sub-standard quality in the home. Leave nothing to chance and present the strongest home possible.
Send Pets Away
Stow pets away in a safe, secure place while prospective buyers are guests in your home. Some people don't like certain animals and have allergies. It's a courtesy to the buyer to eliminate this factor while showing the place and increases your chances of selling.
Send the Kids to Grandma's
We all love the little ones but a rambunctious group of children can be distracting to someone interested in looking over the property. Take them for a walk around the block if necessary while your guests are viewing the house.
Paint
The easiest way to improve the look of the home (and the cheapest) is to give a fresh coat of paint to the walls. It's easier than scrubbing them clean. Use neutral tones like off-white or light creams and definitely avoid black, pink, and anything too outlandish. The buyer wants to imagine their own style in the house, not yours. A neutral base allows their imagination to take over.
Keep the Noise Down
While removing pets and children can help to eliminate noise pollution, it's important to silence any offensive appliances or tools that give off unpleasant noise. If anything, play soft instrumental music like jazz while folks are browsing the home to give it a pleasant atmosphere. Nothing too loud, of course.
Be a Showman
The last tip is to present yourself with your best face forward. Greet your buying guests in clean clothes and neat grooming so as to communicate a person whom they can trust is selling them something of value. Politeness and friendly charm go a long way to make someone want to be the next family to live in your home.