My realtor has just scheduled a showing and I need to leave the house. Are there any mistakes I am making when presenting my house to potential buyers?
This is a great question and as a seller, here are some easy tips you can use to avoid common pitfalls when presenting your house to potential buyers just before a showing.
Make Access Easy
Make it easy for a potential buyer to access your house. Pay attention to any obstacles that physically stand in the way of a potential buyer and your house. Has your friendly neighbourhood snowplow left a mound at the bottom of your driveway? Eliminating these obstacles can make a big difference to building that very first impression.
Focus on First Impressions
You’ve probably heard this before but it’s worth mentioning again that a buyer makes up their mind on a potential house within the first 8 seconds. A lot can happen in those first 8 Mississippi’s. Do a scan of the front of your house and the front entrance to make sure that it is clean and tidy.
Light up Your House
Turn on all the lights in your house before you leave, day or night. Yes, even the ones you didn’t know existed. Leaving your house in the dark looks a little sad in the daytime, and is downright scary when the sun goes down. A brightly lit house goes a long way to making it look and feel fresh and airy. Also, draw open any curtains or blinds to let natural light in. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also get some higher wattage light bulbs.
Warmth
Make sure the heat is turned on in your house to a reasonable level. No buyer wants to walk into a cold house, especially in winter, and fear losing a toe. A warm house will invite buyers to have a good look around and see all the features that make your house a great buy.
Deal with any odours
Make sure that your house smells fresh and clean. Get rid of any unpleasant odours, and do not try to hide them with air fresheners or scented candles. Buyers can usually see through this, and it could end up creating an unwanted ‘odour mutation’. Also, some buyers have allergies, and scents often come across as cover-ups.
Clean and Declutter
Put away any dirty pots and dishes, toys, or anything that could make a room look messy. Vacuuming is great and necessary if you have a pet, as buyers could be allergic and you do not want them leaving your house covered in pet hair. Doing a quick swiff of the floors is a great way to make the house look and smell clean, fresh, and airy. You can never spend too much time cleaning, and anytime spent is well worth it towards making a great impression on a potential buyer.
Pets
Consider bringing your pets with you when you leave. Buyers sometimes have allergies and in some cases find your lovable pet to be intimidating. For buyers who love pets, you do not want them spending all their time playing with your cuddly dog, when they could be walking around admiring your pristine house.
If you are thinking of selling, get in touch and we can set up a no-obligation meeting to discuss the best way forward. I will guide you through the details of these steps and more based on your current needs.
Kyla Miranda Realtor®
Keller Williams Platinum Realty
709-325-5152
kylamiranda@kw.com