Taking these helpful hints to heart...And Home Before you list can mean the difference between an offer and many days on the market....easy....and often forgotten steps.
Okay, so you've decided to sell your home, you've done everything right, interviewed agents, listened to listing presentations, the whole nine yards. Your agent just called to let you know that your house is now in MLS. You've already gone through and fixed all the problems, removed clutter, you have done everything right, just then the phone rings. It's your agent; he/she will be by in an hour with a prospective buyer, have the house ready for showing. Oh, so this is the panic feeling my agent was talking about.
The good news is there are some simple steps that can keep you and your home "show ready" with a minimum amount of work. Remember that agents will be showing prospective buyers your home when you are not there.
First steps: Set the thermostat at a comfortable setting, if its winter be sure the house is warm enough, in summer don't let it become a sweat box. If a prospective buyer can't be comfortable in a house just touring it, they are not going to take the time to "see" the house. They are going to rush through to go and get warm, or cool off.
•Ø Don't let laundry pile up
•Ø Take care of pet odors, and speaking of pets, put food bowls and litter boxes in hidden places
•Ø Process mail as soon as possible, do not leave it on the table etc
•Ø Never, never leave dishes in the sink
•Ø Make beds each and every morning
•Ø Make sure showers, toilets, sinks and ovens are all scrubbed clean
•Ø Clothes belong off the floor, in hampers, hung up in the closet, put away
•Ø Keep frig free of odors and clean both inside and out
•Ø Dust and vacuum every week, more often if you have pets
•Ø If your children have caged pets, such as gerbils, rats, mice, snakes etc send them to friends or family while the house is on the market. Believe me this is a big one.
•Ø Don't let garages and basements become the catch all for your cleaning efforts. Get a storage locker if need be
These helpful hints can be a lifesaver when your home is on the market. How your home shows is a very important and often overlooked factor in whether your home sells or not. The worst thing a seller can do is have the "if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for them" syndrome.
Remember, the look you are trying to achieve is that comfortable lived in feel, while still maintaining that polish of a show house.
If you or somebody you know would appreciate my services, please contact me with their information and I will be happy to help them.
Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS
Great reminders...some of them people often overlook, like the temperature! Thanks for sharing!
Igloos work for eskimos....and then again there are those of us who have lived here long enough to live in those too !
Sally and David: Sometimes it's the obvious that is overlooked ... and you would think these items on this list would be obvious. Not so. As an ex-appraiser, I can tell you that these simple bits and pieces of information are needed badly. Sellers DO need to be reminded! As an appraiser I saw many things that I found amazing ... even having to appraise a home around people sleeping in beds and dog "duty" on the floor.
Thanks for passing on the tips ... and reminding everyone that although they are simple tasks ... they are important.
Gene
Simple is a good thing...helpful is better...thanks for the comment Gene...to your success !
Hi Sally:
These are ALL great tips for our sellers!