Real Estate Blog - New Listing Prep

Home : Blogs : Patricia Kennedy : Pat Kennedy - Your Washington, DC Real Estate Connection

New Listing Prep

I'm getting set for an Open House at my new listing. You know, making my list, checking it twice ...

Property brochures - check
Disclosures - check
Contact log - check
MacBook Air (so I can blog if things are slow) - check
Apple cider - check
Spaghetti pot to heat up apple cider - check
Cinnamon and cloves for apple cider - check
Cookie dough - check
Cookie sheet - check
Toilet paper - check

Wait, toilet paper? Yes, three rolls - one for each bathroom!

It's something that a lot of listing agents overlook. Heaven knows I have on occasion. I was at the house doing a little staging, and while I was trying to figure out the best color hand towels to put in the powder room, I noticed - no T.P. Oops!

We've all had to make pit stops while previewing or showing property. And I can think of one little thing that will make a bathroom look more attractive to colleagues and their clients than any designer hand towels!

Posted by Patricia Kennedy on 03/01/2008 10:13 PM

Comments (29)

Preparing New Listings in the Sales Strategies / Tactics Channel

new listing prep, washignton dc real estate, patricia kennedy

Originally posted at: Pat Kennedy - Your Washington, DC Real Estate Connection: New Listing Prep

Post is included in group: Realtors®

29 Comments on New Listing Prep

MAR

2008

good post

Whoa! You really go above & beyond. Nobody does refeshments here...AND toilet paper? Grea t suggestions - I want the address so I can stop by for Cider and cookies!

I had to laugh, when I saw the picture. My OH trademark, is my "hotel fold" to the toilet paper

Thanks, Tamii!

Carol, I do cider to slow them down and make the place smell great.

And Marilyn, I just did the fold for the AR photo, I don't do it normally! It's like making the bed - it just gets messed up again.

Can I stop by for a cookie on my way to Virginia?

So true, so true, toilet paper is very important- and cheap!

I love the apple cider idea! The baking idea has been pretty popular, but this is probably easier. Any problems with carpet spills?

Carol - I hadn't thought of doing the apple cider at the open house, great idea and having toilet paper is always good if the sellers left the water on at the house.

This is too funny - I actually almost always add tp to my vacant listings (ones with the power and water on anyway) - there is nothing worse - and it makes it look better - an empty roll holder is not attractive

I always bring kleenex with me -- I can't tell you how many times I am showing homes and there is no TP. On the other hand, one time one of my client's kids had to use the bathroom and the owner had a fit because the kid used the guest soap -- it was only for show! The sellers was so angry, she took the house off the market for a while! I guess now I will ahve to carry soap too.

Hi There

I am usually over prepared, so I understand about tp ..I even have handi wipes..and am now giving little goody bags to take to go, the kids seems to like that

T.P. is so important! I hate showing a vacant house that has empty T.P. holders...it looks so un-home like. "Go away Buyer's" is the message no T.P. sends!

Patricia-Down here, we will be showing houses, and guess what the snow birds do! They cover up their toilets with saran wrap so no one can use the toilet! I have had to go so bad sometimes showing and no where to go! I was tempted to just sit over the drain in the tub- no, I didn't!

Patricia,

Like Nestor and Katerina I've run into house that have the toilet seat taped down. What are people thinking? If the goal is to get people out of your house as fast as possible that will do the trick.

MAR

2008

Patricia, life is all about the details. You have the "essentials" covered I see.

I had to laugh at the toilet paper...I've done the same thing myself!

Pat, of course, if you keep serving your delicious apple cider, there's no doubt that the open house visitors will need to use the bathrooms and be thankful for the toilet paper. Hey, anything that gets them lingering in the house.

Pat - MacBook Air. You are such a show-off! I'll have to stop by one of your open houses. I bet they smell great!

Patricia - The BYOTP is not in the open house manual---that's one we learn in the trenches! If I'm holding a vancant house open, TP is in my tote.

Pat - love the cider idea..... If I wasn't out of town; I'd me droping by....

Patricia - I have to go with James, if I was up there, you would be seeing me too!!!!

MAR

2008

I would unseal a toilet if I had to. All bets are off if nature calls.

Great liitle checklist, Patricia! One of these days I'm gonna just show up at one of your mega open houses... Maybe I can get some ideas from you for generating some activity at a Crofton OH.

MAR

2008

When I read this a few days ago I thought how silly..... Monday I was taking pictures at my new (vacant) listing I realized.... I need some TP for the place!

Lockbox...check Flyers...check Sign Riders....check TP.....GOT IT !

Hi, Pat!

Can't forget the important things in life! I've been carrying extras in my trunk just in case. :D Thanks for the checklist!

Hi Pat-you are right....the paper is essential! :)

Kinda like the boy scouts - always be prepared. Not a bad idea.

Bonner

Toilet paper is a must for the car. I also have wet wipes for those times when you've been in a house that leaves you feeling like you need a shower.

MAR

2008

I love the cedar idea. Thanks for the check list.

This blog does not allow anonymous comments