Five Do's When Showing Your Home
Selling a home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You want to showcase your property in the best possible light to attract potential buyers and secure a great deal. To help you make the most of your showings, here are five essential tips to follow when preparing your home for prospective buyers.
**1. Clean Thoroughly**
First impressions are everything, and a clean home speaks volumes about how well it has been maintained. Before any showing, make sure every room is spotless. This includes vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, dusting surfaces, and cleaning windows. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas often draw the most scrutiny from buyers. Don't forget to tidy up closets and storage spaces; an organized closet can give the impression of ample storage space, which is a big selling point for many buyers.
A clean home not only looks better but also smells better.
**2. Turn on All Lights**
Lighting plays a crucial role in making your home feel warm and inviting. Before a showing, go through your house and turn on all the lights, including lamps and overhead fixtures. Open curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Bright rooms appear larger and more appealing, while dark spaces can feel cramped and uninviting.
If any light bulbs are burnt out or flickering, replace them with new ones. Opt for soft white bulbs that provide a warm glow rather than harsh fluorescent lights that can create an unwelcoming ambiance.
**3. Re-Stage Your Home**
Staging your home is an effective way to highlight its best features and help buyers envision themselves living there. Start by decluttering each room; remove personal items like family photos, knick-knacks, and excess furniture that can distract buyers from seeing the space itself.
Consider rearranging furniture to create a more open flow throughout the house. Aim for neutral decor that appeals to a broad range of tastes; this might mean replacing bold artwork with more subdued pieces or adding fresh flowers for a touch of color.
If you're unsure about how to stage your home effectively, consider hiring a professional stager who can offer expert advice tailored to your property's unique features.
**4. Take Pets with You**
While you may adore your furry friends, not all potential buyers will share your sentiments. Pets can be distracting during showings and may even deter some buyers who have allergies or fears related to animals.
To ensure that all visitors feel comfortable viewing your home, make arrangements for pets to be out of the house during showings. This could mean taking them for a walk, dropping them off at a friend’s place, or even scheduling showings around their daycare times if they attend one.
Additionally, be sure to clean up any pet-related items like toys, beds, or litter boxes before buyers arrive.
**5. Leave Before Buyers Arrive**
As much as you might want to stay and answer questions about your property, it's best if sellers leave before potential buyers arrive for showings. Buyers need the freedom to explore each room at their own pace without feeling pressured or awkward by the homeowner's presence.
When sellers are present during showings, it can inhibit open discussions among buyers about what they like or dislike about the property—feedback that is crucial for their decision-making process.
Leaving also allows real estate agents to do their job more effectively by providing unbiased information about the home without interference from personal anecdotes or emotions tied to the property.
In conclusion, preparing your home properly for showings can significantly impact how quickly it sells and at what price point. By following these five tips—cleaning thoroughly, turning on all lights, re-staging thoughtfully, taking pets with you, and leaving before buyers arrive—you'll create an inviting environment that showcases your home's full potential and appeals directly to prospective buyers' desires.
Engel & Völkers local real estate experts are engaged in over 1,000 locations worldwide. Contact me to connect you with an advisor precisely where you want to be.
Chad Behnken
Luxury Real Estate Advisor
Engel & VölkersPikes Peak
chad.behnken@engelvoelkers.com
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