|  Send This Page |

SHOWING YOUR HOME TO SELL YOUR HOME TIPS

When you have your home in Grand Rapids on the market with Ethan, it needs to be ready to show at all times.

Now of course you won't have someone showing up at unreasonable hours like 7:00 a.m. or 10:00 p.m., but during reasonable hours, your home could be shown multiple times through the day and evening.

I will assist you in placing a lock box outside your house so that other Realtors can have easy access without bothering you. Lock boxes contain a house key, and only licensed agents will have access with your approval of time and day for the showing..

If you have indoor pets or some other situation where a lock box wouldn't work, agents can schedule appointments, which gives you a little advanced notice. The the best plan of action is to be prepared at all times.
 

If an agent requests a showing and you refuse, instead of rescheduling, more than likely the potential buyers will just move on to the next house, meaning you've lost a possible sale. You never know what showing will turn into a contract.

Stay away

When a showing happens, don't be home when agents show your house. This allows the potential buyer to look at leisure and ask questions without any pressure. If you happen to be at your house, for example, in the middle of cooking supper, stay out of the way and don't volunteer any information. Let the agent do their job.

Environment

If your house is being shown in the warm summer, make sure your house is average temperature, if it was too hot they would hurry through missing the potential of your house. Just like you would want to keep your house warm in the cold winter months. The seller should do what they need to do, to make it feel like a home for the possible buyer so that it will stand out from the other homes in Grand Rapids.

 

Cleanliness

Now your house doesn't have to look like a Parade home, or like it is just hot off the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. It should be very clean and tidy, with no clutter or paperwork laying about. Have the sink empty of dirty dishes, toys are picked up and put away, and things are dusted and vacuumed so your house to sell, shows nice.

 

Lighting

Since showings will be scheduled, make sure that the lighting is appropriate. For nighttime showings this would include front and backyard lights, leaving the potential buyer of your home feeling cozy makes your home more inviting to the potential buyer.

 

Pets

This can be a little tricky. Make sure your listing mentions that you have pets. First, you don't want them to accidentally escape and second, you want people who might have allergies or be fearful of pets to be aware they're in the home. If possible, remove your pets prior to the showing. If you can't do this, try to put them in a kennel, the backyard, or garage where they will be out of the way.

 

Repairs

If you notice rooms or areas that need paint touch-up or complete repainting, this is the time to do it. Make sure there is no torn wallpaper, gouges in the wall, etc. These types of things should all be fixed prior to your home going on the market.

 

Fragrances

Try to avoid scented sprays such as room fresheners or carpet deodorizers. Even if you use these products on a normal basis, to the buyer, it might appear as though you're trying to mask some other type of odor. If you do want to have a nice fresh fragrance, consider fresh cut flowers, potpourri, or a soft-scented candle. A great home remedy is to mix one tablespoon of each - nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin spice. Pour all into a small saucepan filled with one cup of water, blend well, and simmer. Another option is to place a couple drops of vanilla extract directly onto the stove burner and heat quickly. The aroma is wonderful. Either option will give your home the fragrance of a nice home-cooked meal. Just don't use anything too overpowering since you don't know if the potential buyers have allergies or not.

 

Visuals

Set a bowl of colorful, fresh fruit out on the kitchen table. Perhaps a soft throw blanket over the back of a recliner, magazines neatly fanned on the coffee table, or a couple candles glowing in the bathroom. These things make your home more homey and inviting. Just take a quick look around each room and see if there are things you can do to add a nice, finishing touch. If you need more ideas, look through some home decorating magazines for quick ideas.

 

Don't forget the garage

Make sure you don't forget the garage. Keep your tools and storage items neatly arranged. If there are oil stains on the garage floor, use some sand and newspaper to wipe it up. This is just another room of the house and it should get the same level of attention.

 

Trash

Make sure the trashcans in all rooms are kept emptied, especially the kitchen trash where food items are thrown, and bathroom trashcans that might contain personal items. When people look at your home, you want to leave a positive impression. Seeing overflowing trash isn't the way to go about it.

contact: Ethan Dozeman