Homeowner's Tips for Showing a Home

I recently showed a home to a first-time buyer in search of a condo . When we first entered the condo, we were welcomed by the wonderful aroma of fresh baked cookies. They were proudly displayed by the realtor’s brochures along with an invitation to grab a drink from the fridge. The buyer not only left the appointment with a positive impression of the condo, he also left with a positive impression of the seller. The homeowner made the showing most enjoyable and helped set the stage for an offer.

Every home on the market has competition. Homebuyers typically narrow their selection down to several homes that are differentiated by only minor differences. So here are a few tips on what the seller can do to give their home an edge over the competition

· Present a neat and tidy home to prospective homebuyers. Do the major “spring cleaning” when the home goes on the market and do a quick cleaning and neatening before each showing. Keep the yard mowed and flower beds mulched. This leaves the impression that the home is in the hands of responsible caretakers.
· Have brochures of the home prominently displayed along with other pertinent information about the home.
· Leave the premises during the showing. The agent knows his/her clients wants and needs and, together, they can make an efficient assessment of the home. A homeowner’s presence can be distracting and can make homebuyers uncomfortable. If for any reason, the homeowner must be present, let the agent do their job and don’t jump in to help sell the home. Again, the agent knows what their clients are interested in and will bring the homebuyer into the conversation only if needed.
· While baking cookies is a nice touch, it’s not often practical. But a note next to the brochures inviting the guests to help themselves to some bottled water in the fridge is a nice touch. This is an opportunity to be creative and bring your personality into the room. It will also make your home more memorable.

Working with your agent to enhance the showing experience will make your home stand out and will help you achieve your goal more quickly.