A Successful Seller Is Flexible and Prepared
You never know which potential buyer will think of your home as “The One.” Accordingly, you must do everything you can to accommodate any potential showings, even if it seems an inconvenience. At times people will run behind or have to reschedule. This can be frustrating, but understand that buyers are often under many different forms of stress. It is not in your best interest to contribute to that! At this early stage you are establishing the tone that any future interactions may take, so it is in everyone’s best interest to begin on the right foot.
Practically speaking, you should be sure to have an answering machine or voicemail that features a warm, friendly message for those missed calls. To maximize your chances of generating offers, you’ll want to return phone calls as soon as possible. Also be sure to keep your agent up to date on any travel plans you might have, or if you are expecting visitors.
It’s Best To Let The Home Speak For Itself
In most cases it is in your best interest to be away from the house during a showing. Many buyers will feel hurried, as if they are intruding, if you are home, and as a result they won’t give the house a good once over. Instead they’ll be hesitant to open closets and drawers in order to see all they would like. Afterwards, they won’t feel confident they have a complete picture of what they would be getting for their money and chances are they won’t even consider making an offer.
If you must be present during a showing, be friendly, but resist the impulse to engage in prolonged conversation, especially regarding your motivations for selling or any personal opinions. These sorts of interactions rarely enhance the chances of a sale and can easily sour the chances of an offer being made.
Neatness Counts, And Smells Do Too
You want your home to be inviting to any prospective buyers, so eliminating possible causes of a negative impression is vital. Bright light and an open, airy feel are appealing to most people, so be sure to open shades and curtains to let in natural light. On darker days, or for evening showings, leave more lights on than you ordinarily would. You may want to add outdoor lighting to enhance the entry areas as well.
Odors have strong impact on us all, and sometimes that isn’t a good thing. Be conscious of cooking smells in general, and smoke in particular. Spraying a lightly scented air freshener is a good start, but be careful not to over do it since it can give the impression you are trying to hide something. You might even want to bake cookies or bread shortly before the showing. Pet odors should be paid special attention to, especially litter boxes.
Regarding Our Furry Friends
Not everyone is comfortable around animals. It is strongly recommended that pets, especially cats and dogs, are removed from the property during showings. If this isn’t possible, they should be confined.
How close to being ready for showing is your home? For a complimentary professional assessment, contact The Selling St. Charles County Team now.