Hi! I'm coming over to set off your alarm and let the cat out!
Realtor and author Pat Kennett offers some great advice to sellers in her wonderfully humorous style. Sellers do need a but of education unless they've been out lookng at houses with their realtor. Some of the "instructions" for showing come from bad experiences. I remember once seller who accused an agent and/or her client(s) of sleeping on her bed. Turns out it was her daughter and the seller didn't know she'd been home :)
Sometimes I'm amazed at how many MRIS comments use so many words telling us, not about the house we are about to show, but about the complications of showing it.
When we're choosing which properties to show, being able to get into and out of the front door with minimal complications is pretty important. If you are trying to get your home sold, here are some of the things that give us pause when deciding whether or not your home will make the show list or not:
- Where is the key? Is it in a lockbox that I can open with minimal hassle, or will I have to meet you or your agent at a specific time? Lockbox is best.
- Is your alarm system activated? If it is, there is an excellent chance that I will set it off, and if it is connected to the police department, you might be fined for the false alarm. Oh, and my clients will easily fall in love with your house while the alarm is blaring in the background.
- Having a dog is a good thing. Mine is my best friend. But when my house is for sale, Willie the Labradoodle will enjoy an extended visit to one of his favorite aunts. A dog, even an incredibly cute one, can be a distraction at best and a scary threat at worst. You call him Fido. I call him Fang!
- Your indoor cat will get out, and I will have to spend my time chasing the little guy around your neighborhood instead of selling your house.
Then there are the comments that preach to us. Instead of describing the exciting stuff, they remind me to turn off the lights and lock the doors.
The comments in the multiple listing information might be the most important piece of advertising for your home. They are geared to real estate professionals, one of whom will bring the buyer for your home. These comments should be written to get them excited about your home, and to make them want to help their favorite clients buy the place.
It's not a bad idea for you to read the comments that are on your listing. Do they generate excitement? If not, sit down with your agent and the two of you can do a re-write.
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