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Let it Show, Let is Show!

By
Real Estate Agent with Cypress GMAC Real Estate

Let it Show, Let it Show!

To show your home to its best advantage, you have to look at it objectively, as though you were a potential buyer. Since a home is such an emotional purchase, people often base their choice on feelings. Regardless of your location and price, if something about your home "feels wrong," the buyer will look elsewhere.

First Impressions Start Outside    

  • Since people begin to judge your home the moment they drive up, the first impression is crucial.
  • Make sure your front lawn looks neat. Cut the grass and trim the hedges. Plant some extra flowers for color - or during the cold weather months put some potted plants beside the front door.
  • Take a close look at your front door. If it's faded or needs repair, clean it, stain it or paint it. While you're at it, do the same with the back door and garage door.
  • Repainting the exterior of your home is a fairly expensive venture, and really unnecessary unless the sides have had blistering or peeling. Painting window sashes, trim and shutters can do wonders.

Brighten it Up

  • Brighten things with fresh paint. White, off-white, or beige walls make a room look bigger.
  • Too much clutter and too much furniture can make a home "feel wrong." Move out all excess furniture to make rooms appear larger.
  • Clear off the kitchen counters - make them look as expansive as possible. Clean the oven and all appliances. Yes, people will open up your oven, appliances and even cupboards and drawers. Since your goal is to move out of your home, use this chance to clean everything out and get a head start on packing. A nice touch is to put fresh flowers on the counter. 
  • Get out your tool kit: Tighten loose doorknobs, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, towel racks, switch plates and outlet covers. Fix leaky faucets and remove water stains.

Bring on the buyers

When it's time for your agent to show your home, all your preparations will be worth it. But here are a few final tips.

  • Make yourself scarce. Many prospects feel like intruders when the owners are present. They tend to hurry away, or fail to ask the questions they'd like to ask. Your absence will put buyers at ease, and give them a chance to spend more time looking at your house.
  • Let your agent show your home even when you're not there. If you don't, you're limiting the showings - and actually keeping your house off the market many hours a day.
  • Always keep your home ready for show. Your sales professional will try to give you as much advance warning as possible. Likewise, other sales professionals may call to arrange showings. But the bottom line is - always be prepared.
  • Keep small boxes in your kitchen and bathrooms to put essential items that you use daily.   Every morning before leaving the house, store the essential boxes in your closets so that they kept out of site.

Welcome Them In and Setting the Scene

Make your buyers feel welcome, let them imagine themselves living and owning the home.  These are a few more tips for a successful showing day.

  • Keep it comfortable inside.  It's better to heat or cool the house a degree or two warmer/colder than usual and then set the temperature at normal. Don't give the buyer a reason to want to leave your house because you are saving on your electric bill.
  • You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to hang around, especially on hot or cold days!
  • Let them linger and have a chance to notice even more details about your home by offering cookies (the smell of fresh baked cookies always make a house smell like home), snacks, water or soft drinks.
  • Turn on soft music, light a fire in the fireplace. Keep it smelling clean and fresh.  A lot of people are allergic to perfumes etc. so don't spray air fresheners.
  • Candles always set a nice ambiance and if you choose to light them, burn unscented candles.
  • Open all the window coverings to let in light. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights and your house is now ready to shine.

So What do They Really Think?

  • Near the snacks, leave pens and a stack of preprinted questionnaire cards or a guest book to sign.
  • Buyers will feel obligated to respond to your request after being fed.
  • Any feedback you receive will be invaluable.

For more home buying or selling advice, contact Linda Garza at Cypress GMAC Real Estate (509) 205-0859 lindag@cypressgmac.com.  Specializing in Tri-Cities Washington Real Estate! Real Estate Services for Kennewick, Richland and Pasco!  Putting your family first is my #1 priority! You can also search for properties on my website www.lindagarza.com.