» Sign In or Register For Free
MLS ID: 
    » Apollo Beach
    » Balm
    » Brandon
    » Dover
    » Durant
    » Gibsonton
    » Lithia
    » Lutz
    » Mango
    » Plant City
    » Riverview
    » Seffner
    » Sun City
    » Sydney
    » Tampa
    » Temple Terrace
    » Thonotosassa
    » Valrico
    » Wimauma
    » Ybor City
HomeFinderTampa.com Articles
Return to Previous Page
Author: Michigan FSBO
Date: Saturday, December 29, 2007
Rating:
Rate Article:
Refer HomeFinder to a Friend
E-mail O'Cuinneagain Group
Submit a New Article
Category: Real Estate Information > Selling Your Home

Tips on Showing Your Home to Potential Buyers

Your house has been checked, inspected, and cleaned from top to bottom. You have priced it at what you feel is a fair price. The marketing and advertising program is in full swing. Now it is time to pull all of the preparations into action: open houses and showings! All of the work that you have done up to this point will only have an effect when a buyer walks into your house for the first time.


  1. Give all family members assigned jobs in advance that will go into action when a short-notice showing is scheduled. Everyone must know their duties and carry them out, so that you dont end up banging into one another trying to get everything done quickly.

  2. Open every window covering. All drapes, curtains and blinds should
    be positioned to let in maximum light. Buyers like a house
    to be "light and bright",
    so accommodate them! Replace burned out light bulbs and
    increase the wattage to others. Also, turn on as many lights as possible.

  3. Make sure the house smells good. Baking cookies or placing a small
    saucer with a tea spoon of vanilla in a warm oven, often
    recommended, may be overdoing it, but pet odors, smoke, or greasy cooking
    odors definitely will not work! Air out the house just before the scheduled
    showing, but close the windows (unless it is a perfect
    day) before they arrive.

  4. Words that must be remembered: NO CLUTTER, NO CLUTTER, NO CLUTTER!

  5. Make sure that everything is spotless. Pay particular attention to
    windows (inside and out), bathrooms and the kitchen, etc.
    In the bathrooms, towels should be fresh and clean, sinks and baths
    scrubbed, and the floor freshly cleaned. In the kitchen, make sure
    all dishes are put away and countertops and sinks are cleaned. Park
    cars on the street and keep garage swept out and clutter free, and
    place excess items in storage if needed.

  6. Check the thermostat to make sure the house is at a comfortable temperature.

  7. Remove pets from the house, or at least, keep them outside. Pets
    under foot will quickly put a damper on an otherwise positive
    showing.

  8. Make sure Fact Sheets list features and benefits of home and community,
    and list seller concessions and finance options on the
    back. (The dining room table is an ideal place for them).

  9. Married couples should decide in advance who will be showing the
    property and who is leaving. Two people showing a home
    is one too many. When showing your home greet buyers as they enter
    your home and encourage them to walk around as they wish, youll be
    at the dining room table to answer any question they may have when
    finished. Leave them alone to wander the home. (Make sure all of your
    valuables are securely stored or in a safe deposit box during this
    time.) Be as inconspicuous as possible, but ready to hand out your
    listing flyer and answer any questions after they have walked through.

  10. You may ask buyers to sign a guest registry and show some form of
    I.D. before allowing a walk through. Make sure to note
    the time of their visit.

  11. Soft quiet music is the only sound buyers should hear.

  12. Never apologize for your homes shortcomings.

  13. When prospects want to talk prices, ask them to put it in writing
    so that you can show the offer to your spouse or family.


 
Web Reference:  Michigan Homes - For Sale By Owner
Copyright © 2007 HomeFinderTampa.com
"I am happy to announce that we can offer you a Tampa Bay Area Real Estate Site without all the Clutter" - Sean O'Cuinneagain
Tampa Homes | Clearwater Homes