Learning that a buyer’s agent has scheduled a showing for the house you’ve placed on the market is exciting news. While the agents will (or, at least, should) do most of the legwork, there are several key things you can do as a seller to increase the chances of getting an offer. Real estate showings are one of the most critical steps in the journey of buying a house.
There are numerous things you should and shouldn’t do as you prepare for prospective buyers to tour your home. Just in case you have other ideas, remember (what should be) an obvious fact: Sellers should vacate the property while real estate showings are in progress. A buyer will not feel comfortable if you are sitting on the couch or tinkering in the garage while a tour is taking place.
Use this checklist for real estate showings
In the following two sections, you will find a list of dos and don’ts that you can implement as a seller to make the most of real estate showings:
First, the don’ts:
- Don’t leave dirty dishes or dirty laundry in sight.
- Don’t leave cat litter boxes, dog food, or other pet supplies where guests can see, smell or trip over them.
- Don’t close curtains and blinds.
- Don’t leave toys, gardening, or pool supplies lying around the yard.
Your goal is to remove odors and provide a neat and tidy atmosphere. Even small rooms can feel spacious when natural light is pouring in and everything is in its place.
Now, the dos:
- Do play soft music (such as spa sounds) in the background.
- Do roll up store area rugs if underlying floors are a highlight feature of the home.
- Do wipe down walls and baseboards or apply a fresh coat of paint if needed.
- Do store personal photos, knick-knacks, and unnecessary items, such as dishcloths or hand towels in the kitchen.
- Do make sure the lawn is mowed, and shrubs, flower beds, etc., are neatly trimmed.
You want buyers to feel comfortable and able to imagine themselves living in your home. If they’re tripping over your shoes and toys or smelling old food and dirty laundry, they will no doubt keep the visit short and move on to the next house on their list without giving yours a second thought. If you use this checklist for real estate showings, you can boost curb appeal and ensure that the rooms throughout the home are welcoming and pleasing to the eye.