Well, as promised, the house went on the market Wednesday - and with one showing scheduled for Thursday, we were under contract Friday! Q-U-I-C-K! Showings scheduled for the weekend were quickly cancelled, and Corey and Megan went about their weekend plans without having to worry about the house being "showing ready". It really pays to prep your home for a sale as mentioned in the previous post, but taking it a step further, it's also about the first impression. You can never have a second first impression!
So here are some do's (and a few don'ts) for any future showings on your home:
1. Make the house sparkle! Clean as much as you can - windows, countertops, floors, furniture, showers, toilets, etc. Remove cobwebs, put away dirty dishes and laundry, make the beds.... The goal is to not distract buyers - you want them to not get hung up on your dirty dishes, or dog slobbered windows. You want them to not even think about YOU in the home, but instead imagine themselves in the home at it's fullest potential - sparkling clean.
2. Light it up! Leave some lamps on, recessed lights, and all outdoor lights. Open the curtains and if the weather is right, a window or two. Bright and airy feeling houses sell.
3. Remove pets! If you have a dog (or two) definitely take them with you for the showing. If at all possible, cats as well. Some people may be allergic and you don't want them to have to rush out of a showing. Also, Febreeze works wonders on carpets and furniture, but the new wax warmers, like Scentsy, do amazing things for the senses.
4. Lock-up or remove valuables. You're letting strangers into your home, while most professional real estate agents fully vet their clients, there's a possibility they don't know everything about their buyer. If you're worried about something being taken, then lock it up or remove it from the property once it's listed.
5. Remove yourself :) It's always very uncomfortable for a buyer to walk around someone's house with the homeowner lingering. Buyers have a hard enough time imagining their things in your space, but it's almost impossible to imagine themselves there with you sitting at the table! Take a walk, run an errand, or go out to eat. You should always plan for at least an hour, so you are gone before they arrive and don't bump back into them if they've decided to take some extra time looking at your home.
Pretty soon you'll have an offer (or 2) and you won't have to worry about all this prep. So like us, give it your best shot, the first time and you may not need a 2nd time!
So here are some do's (and a few don'ts) for any future showings on your home:
1. Make the house sparkle! Clean as much as you can - windows, countertops, floors, furniture, showers, toilets, etc. Remove cobwebs, put away dirty dishes and laundry, make the beds.... The goal is to not distract buyers - you want them to not get hung up on your dirty dishes, or dog slobbered windows. You want them to not even think about YOU in the home, but instead imagine themselves in the home at it's fullest potential - sparkling clean.
2. Light it up! Leave some lamps on, recessed lights, and all outdoor lights. Open the curtains and if the weather is right, a window or two. Bright and airy feeling houses sell.
3. Remove pets! If you have a dog (or two) definitely take them with you for the showing. If at all possible, cats as well. Some people may be allergic and you don't want them to have to rush out of a showing. Also, Febreeze works wonders on carpets and furniture, but the new wax warmers, like Scentsy, do amazing things for the senses.
4. Lock-up or remove valuables. You're letting strangers into your home, while most professional real estate agents fully vet their clients, there's a possibility they don't know everything about their buyer. If you're worried about something being taken, then lock it up or remove it from the property once it's listed.
5. Remove yourself :) It's always very uncomfortable for a buyer to walk around someone's house with the homeowner lingering. Buyers have a hard enough time imagining their things in your space, but it's almost impossible to imagine themselves there with you sitting at the table! Take a walk, run an errand, or go out to eat. You should always plan for at least an hour, so you are gone before they arrive and don't bump back into them if they've decided to take some extra time looking at your home.
Pretty soon you'll have an offer (or 2) and you won't have to worry about all this prep. So like us, give it your best shot, the first time and you may not need a 2nd time!
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