Show and Sell

This blog is for the well intended seller who really, really wants the house sold but not if they have to pick up the yard. It always amuses me when a seller says they are desperate to sell yet sabotage every sale opportunity they come across. No one is saying you need to repaint (though it might not hurt) but would picking up the house before a showing not help it to sell? Think of you home for sale as two cars on a car lot. One has just been detailed and the other was just test drove through a mud field and is covered with mud. Which are you going to be more interested in? The other thing I have learned is tidy houses don't get picked apart as much. Not sure if the buyer is thinking they must keep the maintenance up if they keep the house tidy but the whole dynamics change when a client walks in a neat orderly home versus a trashed home. Here is a list of to do's if selling.

1. Try and keep the house picked up at all times. You usually have a few hours notice before the showing, use them to make the most of your home for show.
2. Make your home available as much as possible. In today's market one showing may make a difference so work your schedule around the showing don't make the showing agent work around your schedule.
3. Try and keep the lawn mowed or in winter the walk shoveled. Even if vacant this is the first impression by the buyer and sets the tone for the showing.
4. If you have pets, REMOVE them. Put them in the garage or neighbors or even take them for a long needed walk. If the buyer is looking at your pet, they are not looking at the house. Especially true for dogs. You know they won't bite but the buyer may not and their opinion counts.
5. Clean up after your pets. Keep the litter box clean and pick up any droppings around the yard. Again this sets the tones for the showing.
6. Realize the market you are trying to sell in. Like it or not this market is not a seller's dream. Understand that you may only get one chance at selling and we all need to work together to put a sale together.
7. If you have tenants ENFORCE the list above. Not only notify them of a showing but demand your property be in ready to show condition. Not many agents like showing rentals and there are reasons for that.

Most seller's do realize the market they are in but some really need to pitch in and help. The nicer your home looks the more likely it will be the one that sticks out in the buyers mind. First impression sets the tone for the showing so work on the curb appeal and if nothing else pick things up. Who knows once it is show ready you may not want to leave.