Show and SELL - Tips to Get Your Home Sold

Sellers, let’s go back to the basics!  Now more than ever it is vital that you diligently work the real estate marketing process, which is predicated on the 3 “P”s - PRICE, PREPARATION & PRESENTATION.  If you skip any one of these three, you may extend the life of your real estate listing by months.  Today, we will focus on PRESENTATION (see previous blogs for the other topics), the final step to winning the affinity of a potential real estate Buyer.

1.  Let The Buyer In! 

Try to accommodate the Buyer as much as possible by making your home easy to see.  Whether you allow access to your home by lockbox or you have several appointment slots available during the course of a week, be sure that the Buyer does not have to wait weeks before being able to see your home as they may have already moved on!  Also, do not make the Buyer feel like you are being inconvenienced by their desire to see the home because actually they are doing you a favor.  Treat the Buyer with the utmost care, service, and respect in scheduling the showing and you may get to closing sooner than you think!

2.  Scents, Sounds, And Sights

While heeding to the 3 “P”s of selling your home, be sure to not over look the 3 “S”s - scents, sounds, and sights.  Similar to the designer home, your home should smell pleasant (no pet, shoe, baby, etc. odors) so splurge a little on the Glade Plug-in.  It should also not have any obnoxious sounds (i.e. please don’t leave a barking dog in the basement or backyard).  Feel free to go a step further with some light mood music - this makes most houses seem more like a home. 

Most importantly, let there be light!  Be sure that Buyers can see - the rooms, where they are walking, etc. by having both natural (open the blinds, etc.) and lamp light.  But make sure what they see is not clutter or a disaster zone that would easily be a contender on Clean House for the messiest home.  The home should be clean, organized, and free of personal objects (i.e. photos, jewelry, etc.).  Be sure to remove or secure valuables so that you do not have to worry about damage or any other problems occurring.

3. Remember This Is Not A Social Visit So Get Out Of Dodge!

It is best if you are not present at all to interact with the potential Buyers because you may very well inadvertently say something to turn the Buyers off from making this their very own real estate property.  Your assumptions of what they may like or what even attracted you to the home can be quite out of sync with the current Buyers thoughts so limit your words.  Additionally, most Buyers may feel they are intruding if you are at home and may rush through the property or may not discuss the details as freely as they may need to. 

If you are unable to leave however, sit outside or make a visit to a neighbor’s house to allow the Buyer to feel comfortable to view your home.  You have a limited window of time for the Buyer to keep interest in your real estate property so allow them to do their examination without you peering over their shoulders!

Need more tips, feel free to contact me with you questions.  Happy Selling!