Five Things To Do When Buyers Are Visiting Your Home

Some Sellers are so surprised when their real estate agent asks them to get out of their home during showings.  First there is the concern that every viewing Buyer has light fingers, then the concern that they will touch the Sellers' stuff and finally, the concern that the other agent does not have the same skills to sell the house as they so - the owners.  Be not afraid Sellers.  These, while slight concerns, do not outweigh the benefits of you not being in the house.  Get out and don't come back until the Buyers have left.

Now the question is - what can you do or where can you go.  Here are five ideas.

1. Pull out of the driveway and park, facing the house, a half block away with the visor down and the window open a crack (so that you can breath and listen at the same time).  You may feel a need to know who is going in your house.  Maybe your neighbours have begged you to sell only to a small family and you are just doing community service by being a spy.  Ha ha.  If you can see them, they can see you.  Surprise!!!!
2. Drop in on the neighbours with your kids in tow.  Bring a bucket of cookies and toys.  You may be there for an hour or longer.  You might want to bring your camera so that you can take photos of the Buyers entering your home.  Why?  Who knows?  Oh yes, don't forget that now is a good time to test your baby monitor to listen in on the Buyers.  Remember, if you can hear the Buyers then your neighbour can hear you when you go home.  Kinda scary, isn't it?  What did you say at supper last night about their barking dog?
3. Go to the Mall.  When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.  Remember to take your credit card and your cell phone.  The former so that you can help the economy and the latter in case your agent calls to ask questions or tell you that there is an offer on your house.  Put that credit card away - you are going to need money to decorate your new place. 
4. Take a day trip to the beach or a theme park.  Again, bring a bucket or basket of food and drinks and your cell phone.  You still need to be in contact - just in case.  Oh, if you have your kids in tow, don't forget your credit card.  You are going to need to buy their good will with all of those trips and nothing stops whining as much as money.
5. Finally, go to your mom's house.  You know your mom has to take you in and yes, those cupboards are loaded with food that surely must be just for you, for your and your spouse, for you, your spouse and all of your children.  Lucky mom that your house is for sale and you get to grace her with your presence several times a week.  Maybe you just want to leave the kids and run to the mall (see #3).  If you are good, you will bring back a lunch or supper and a few flowers to show your mom that your consuming $200 worth of her groceries was appreciated.  How that woman suffers!!!!

Seriously, getting out of the house is not always convenient.  Don't accept a booking if your child is sick or the flu epidemic has hit your home.  Make every attempt to be reasonable.  You are trying to sell your most valuable asset.

While these are tongue in cheek ideas, think of some things that you can do that are cheap, interesting and will take at least an hour such as a walk in the park, a visit to the library or a visit to the zoo.  Don't spy.  You may see or hear things that make no difference to the sale of your home but for which you will take offense.  Who needs to hear strangers commenting on their home?  It can be insulting.

  Let the agents to their job and the job will get done.   

Photo credit: Adapted from  Spy

Valerie Zinger  

valeriezinger@gmail.com 

613-859-7759