Here are some of my house showing tips dos and don’ts. It will help you when, as a homeowner, you are on the verge of selling your house. Make a lasting impression during a showing. Here’s my comprehensive guide, filled with easy dos and don’ts, to prepare your house for potential buyers:
Understanding House Showings
A house show is when prospective buyers tour your home, providing them with a firsthand experience beyond pictures and videos. Buyers typically tour with their real estate agent.
- Home Showing Process: Buyers request a showing through their agent, and once approved, they tour the home. Feedback from the showing is valuable for sellers to improve the home’s appeal.
- Lockbox House Showing: A lockbox for house showings is for one specific buyer at a scheduled appointment and is often preferred for privacy.
- Open House vs. Private Showing: Both options are beneficial. An open house allows multiple people to view the home simultaneously but may attract less serious buyers. Private showings are more robust indicators of buyer interest.
Preparing Your Home for Showing with my House Showing Dos & Don’ts
When staging your home, make it appear open, inviting, and engaging by staging each space effectively.
House Showing Tips – Dos:
- Up Your Curb Appeal: Make a positive first impression on potential buyers by keeping the exterior clean and tidy, mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, and planting flowers. Also, paint the front door.
- Declutter and Depersonalize: Remove personal items, family photos, and excessive decor. Clear countertops, shelves, and closets of unnecessary items.
- Neat & Tidy: Ensure your home is clean and tidy, including removing trash and making the beds. Clean every surface, paying attention to details like light switches and fixtures.
- Light & Comfort: Open curtains and blinds, replacing heavy drapes with sheer curtains. This will keep your home well-lit while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
- Set the Mood: Use scented candles or air fresheners with pleasant scents and play soft background music.
- Highlight Key Features: Showcase unique features and stage each room to highlight its purpose and functionality.
- Offer Refreshments: Provide water, tea, or light snacks and display fresh flowers or fruit.
- Secure Valuables: Protect your privacy and valuables by locking away or removing items of significant value.
- Pets: Remove pets or secure them during showings to minimize distractions.
- Practice Your Routine: Prepare a routine for guiding potential buyers through your home, highlighting key features.
- Allow Time: Let buyers take their time during showings, as it may indicate their interest in the property.
- Leave: While not mandatory, sellers should leave during showings to allow buyers to focus on the home.
- Answer Questions: Potential buyers ask questions. Be prepared to answer them. If you don’t know the answer, offer to look into it and get back to them with an answer.
How Showing Tips – Don’ts:
- Avoid Strong Odors: Refrain from cooking strong-smelling foods or using overpowering air fresheners or scented candles.
- Don’t Leave Pets Unattended: Remove pets and pet-related items from the house to minimize distractions.
- Avoid Cluttered Spaces: To make rooms appear spacious, keep countertops, tables, and floors clutter-free.
- Don’t Overwhelm with Decor: Avoid overly bold or trendy decor and overcrowding rooms with too many decorative items.
- Refrain from Neglecting the Exterior: Maintain the house’s exterior, including removing outdoor clutter.
- Odors: Avoid strong smells like baking or overpowering air fresheners.
- Leaving Out Food & Drinks: Keep distractions to a minimum by not leaving out food or drinks.
- Stay To Talk The Buyers Into The House: Allow buyers to explore without feeling pressured.
- Skimp On Heating Or Cooling: Ensure a comfortable temperature to help buyers focus on the home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Showing Your House Showing:
- What is the busiest day of the week for house showings? The busiest day of the week for house showings is typically Sunday. This is because many prospective buyers have more free time on weekends to attend showings, and Sunday is often chosen as the primary day for open houses by real estate agents.
- What is the average number of viewings before a house sells? Depending on your area, you may see around 15 to 20 viewings before a house sells. Realize that this number changes when outside factors change. These include the local real estate market conditions, your area, local price ranges, and the house’s overall appeal to potential buyers. For example, lower-priced homes may attract more viewings, while larger or more expensive homes might require fewer viewings before finding a buyer.
You’ve Finished House Showing Tips List – It’s Time
These tips can help you prepare your home effectively for showings. If you’re in Northwest Indiana and considering selling, contact us for assistance with the home-selling process.