When your home is on the market, it is important to always be as prepared to show it as possible. When you list your property for sale, your agent should help provide you with tips to “declutter and depersonalize.” Or, you can check our or upcoming Home Seller Class where questions about preparation, staging, pricing, and all the other things you need to know about selling will be answered. For now, here are a few tips:
Be Ready
Same day and last minute showings are typical, unfortunately, in the industry and should be expected. Although it is not always convenient, it is important to make your home available when agents and buyers want to come through.
Aromas
Appealing to all of the senses is a great way to engage buyers even more as they tour your home. The sense of smell is easy by setting out fresh flowers, baking cookies, or utilizing a spray. You want the scent to be fresh and clean, not overpowering.
Lighting
Open all the drapes and shades unless you have an objectionable view and turn on all the lights. Lamps and indirect lighting are preferable but overhead lighting will work if that is all that is limited. CMH kits will give you our choices for the best bulbs too.
Pictures & Posters
Don’t take the chance of offending potential buyers with messages of questionable taste. Remove posters and pictures that may not appeal to the public as a whole.
Music
Consider having music playing in the background to promote a relaxed mood and encourage longer showings. Use good speakers like the panamax MR5100 where clarity at low volumes count. Make sure it does not overpower people who are speaking. This is especially great if you have a built in sound system – showcasing a luxury feature of your home!
Pets
Get your pets out of the home if at all possible. Some people are not comfortable around cats or dogs and some are allergic. Don’t take a chance.
Ashtrays
Remove all ashtrays from rooms as they are unsightly and potential objections to buyers touring the property.
Problem Areas
Don’t attempt to mask issues with your property, disclose them. It is important both ethically and legally that you disclose issues – especially if you don’t intend to correct them.
