1. Increase your chances!
The more people who see your home, the more likely you are to sell it quickly. Yes, it's inconvenient to show your home at dinnertime, but if the people buy your home, isn't it worth it?
2. There shouldn't be any major housecleaning at this point.
The kinds of tasks you ought to be concerned with now are simple ones: making the beds, stuffing last night's dirty pans in the dishwasher, picking up loose newspapers, etc. Even young children can participate by "cleaning" their rooms.
3. Open the windows.
If the season is appropriate, open the windows in each room and let in some fresh air. Stale air isn't appealing, particularly in a home with smokers or pets.
4. Let them be comfortable.
Keep your thermostat at a comfortable setting.
5. Lights.
Turn on all the lights for every showing before prospective buyers arrive. This also gives you an opportunity to select the lighting effects you want for each room. No area of your home should be dark.
6. No TV.
Turn off the television and turn on light, background music.
7. Arrange for pets to be at a neighbor.
Pets can distract buyers from their purpose. Keep pets away from buyers.
8. "Depersonalize" the house as much as possible.
Take down any extra family pictures that are hanging on the walls or displayed on the shelves. They will often distract the buyer's attention from what is most important...the house!
9. Most importantly, please leave the house during all showings.
It is uncomfortable and difficult for buyers to view the home when owners are present. Oftentimes, they will rush through the home and not give it the proper attention your home deserves. It is also hard for the buyers to "picture themselves" living in the home when the sellers are present.
Please Keep in Mind:
Buyers want to obtain the lowest price and best terms for themselves.
We recommend that you DO NOT DISCUSS the following types of information with ANYONE, regardless of who they represent, other than your listing agent:
The more people who see your home, the more likely you are to sell it quickly. Yes, it's inconvenient to show your home at dinnertime, but if the people buy your home, isn't it worth it?
2. There shouldn't be any major housecleaning at this point.
The kinds of tasks you ought to be concerned with now are simple ones: making the beds, stuffing last night's dirty pans in the dishwasher, picking up loose newspapers, etc. Even young children can participate by "cleaning" their rooms.
3. Open the windows.
If the season is appropriate, open the windows in each room and let in some fresh air. Stale air isn't appealing, particularly in a home with smokers or pets.
4. Let them be comfortable.
Keep your thermostat at a comfortable setting.
5. Lights.
Turn on all the lights for every showing before prospective buyers arrive. This also gives you an opportunity to select the lighting effects you want for each room. No area of your home should be dark.
6. No TV.
Turn off the television and turn on light, background music.
7. Arrange for pets to be at a neighbor.
Pets can distract buyers from their purpose. Keep pets away from buyers.
8. "Depersonalize" the house as much as possible.
Take down any extra family pictures that are hanging on the walls or displayed on the shelves. They will often distract the buyer's attention from what is most important...the house!
9. Most importantly, please leave the house during all showings.
It is uncomfortable and difficult for buyers to view the home when owners are present. Oftentimes, they will rush through the home and not give it the proper attention your home deserves. It is also hard for the buyers to "picture themselves" living in the home when the sellers are present.
Please Keep in Mind:
Buyers want to obtain the lowest price and best terms for themselves.
We recommend that you DO NOT DISCUSS the following types of information with ANYONE, regardless of who they represent, other than your listing agent:
- Your reason for selling
- Motivation / Urgency to sell
- Willingness to consider an offer less than the listing price.
- Terms under which you would sell.
- Relocation, timing, benefits of policies, etc. if applicable
- Items of personal property that you "might" be willing to include in a sale.
- Any confidential information that would serve to disclose your negotiating strategy.
