HOW TO SHOW

YOUR HOME

A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO MAKING SURE

PROSPECTIVE BUYERS HAVE A PLEASANT

EXPERIENCE IN YOUR HOME

BECOME A HANDYMAN

Or hire one. Taking care of minor fixes before showing your home is an excellent

way to add perceived value without breaking the bank.

The last thing most buyers want to do when moving into a new home is spend time and money on repairs. Whether it be a leaky faucet, running toilet, or squeaky door, minor issues with a home can lead a buyer into thinking that there could be much more wrong with the property than there really is.

Many buyers, especially first-time home buyers, are deathly afraid of entering a home that will turn into a money pit. Getting in front of these minor repairs is an excellent way of ensuring that your home is shown to the best of its ability and prevents many buyers from going down the death spin spiral of "what if" thoughts. You can find qualified vendors on sites such as Angieslist.com, and Yelp.com and by reaching out to your network on social media. Oftentimes your agent can be a great referral resource for vendors that can do a good job with little notice.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Performing a deep cleaning of your home is one of the best investments you can make. Most importantly, it's an investment you can make.

It is very important that a home be show-ready when viewings start. Hiring a professional cleaning service to perform a deep cleaning of every nook and cranny of a home is one of the best small investments a homeowner can make. Clean the baseboards and areas where trash cans are located and pay special attention to high-traffic areas.

In addition, you should hire a carpet cleaner to steam clean carpets and any tile grout that your home might have. Maintain cleanliness in the home as long as possible throughout the showing process. No dishes in the kitchen sink or toothbrushes lying on the bathroom counter, or trash in any of the visible receptacles. We understand that this is not an easy task by any means, but this costs absolutely nothing and can provide an exponential return. It takes all of five minutes to empty trash bins and clear off countertops before showings. Keep it clean and you will most definitely see the green!

DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALIZE

You are selling your home, not yourself. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your home. If space is an issue, this is much more important.

If you are selling your house, chances are, you are probably moving out. Take the time to start the packing process early. Get rid of excess furniture. Remove clothing that has not been worn from closets (don't worry, you will fit into those jeans eventually). Half-empty closets look bigger. People like big closets.

Try to make it as easy for buyers to envision themselves in your home by removing personal objects and family photos. Remove the directional area and replace it with something of broader appeal. It's not personal; it's just business! Demand increases with the amount of buyers that like the home. As demand rises, so does price. Consider selling items on Craigslist or NextDoor and utilizing mobile pod storage companies such as PODS. you might even be able to sell enough clutter to pay for the POD storage!

NO-SMELL ZONE

No one wants to smell what you had for lunch. Smells can kill deals! Taking extra precautions to avoid strong odors is a low-cost, high-return investment.

Many people underestimate the role that smells play in a real estate transaction. A home can be in pristine condition but if it smells funny, people won't put down the money! Take special care not to use strong candles or air fresheners, they can be overpowering and distract buyers from the beauty of your home.

Do not cook prior to any showing. The last thing a buyer wants to smell in your kitchen is the Etuna said you made for lunch. Don't take showers close to showing times, especially if the bathroom does not have ventilation. A "wet" bathroom smell can be very off-putting. Make sure that trash bins are empty. Use products like DampRid to make closets smell fresh and remove odors. If you have pets, make sure their space is clean and scent-free. The best scent a home can have is none at all!

BE FLEXIBLE

It boils down to simple math. More showings = More offers. More Offers = More Money. Therefore, More showings = More money!

It might not be entirely that straightforward, but you get the point. Listen, we know that it's a pain having strangers walking through your home, and we know that it is equally as difficult having your home in "show-ready" condition at all times, particularly when there are small children involved.

Kids are messy. this is a fact. It's OK, and so are most adults. That being said, make your home available for showings as much as possible. There is a direct correlation between the amount of shows you have and the amount of offers you will receive. Be flexible. A good agent will be inundating your home with showings...that is what you want! This is what you pay them for! Go for a run, take the kiddos out to play. Better yet go furniture shopping for your new place!