Make Buyers Feel at Home: Showing guidelines
Getting a home show-ready is one thing. Getting your sellers to keep their home show-ready is quite another. Share these guidelines with your sellers so that potential buyers feel at home the minute they walk through the door.
Curb Appeal
A buyer’s first impression is a lasting impression. Buyers will be looking for reasons to dislike your home—don’t give them any ammunition. Your lawn should ideally be green and it should be well maintained. Bright colored flowers will make your home feel cheery—try to stick to no more than 3 different colored flowers.
Lighting
Before you leave for your showing, turn on all the lights. A well-lit home is welcoming and cheery. A dark home can seem creepy and unwelcoming.
Smells
Smells are just as powerful as sight when it comes to house showings. You may first need to deodorize, which you can easily do by sprinkling baking soda on carpets and sofas and vacuuming after 10-15 minutes. Once you have deodorized, consider leaving well-hidden open containers of vanilla around the house. Vanilla is a scent that almost no one dislikes. Another idea for the winter months is to boil a pot of water and throw in two cinnamon sticks and 3-4 cloves. Let this summer for an hour before your showing.
Clean and Tidy
This one’s obvious. Your house should be squeaky clean and everything should be in its place. Be mindful of leaving dirty laundry out, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, and leaving trash in open canisters.
Temperature
Your home’s temperature should be comfortable— not too hot and not too cold. Shoot for a temperature between 70 and 74. The temperature of the home shouldn’t even come to a buyer’s mind during the showing.
Don’t Hang Around
Again, prospective buyers need to feel comfortable. They will not be comfortable walking about your house and critiquing what they see if you are in the vicinity. Have a destination plan when showings are scheduled—go to the gym, take a book to a coffee shop, or plan a trip out with friends. Do not hang around the house.
Criteria for Showings
When you list your home you need to set criteria for when showings can occur and how much notice you need before a showing. It is best to be as flexible as possible. Small showing windows and large showing notices may mean missing out on showings and offers. Allow your home to be shown most of the day and at least three hours during the evening since many people will be looking after work on weekdays. It’s typically best to require no more than 2 hours before showing notices.
Contact Lemondrop Home for a staging consultation. We can help you get your home ready for sale and we can walk through these showing guidelines so your house is presented in the best light possible to make a lasting and positive first impression. You can call us at 816.309.4985 or you can email us at rebecca@lemondrophome.com