One of the most essential parts of selling real estate is showing a home. Whether it’s scheduled home viewings or an open house, these events give prospective buyers the opportunity to see the house up-close and in-person. But it’s not as easy as just opening the doors and letting people in. As a real estate agent, here are a few tips on how to make your home showing appealing and successful.
Know the Property
When selling a product, it’s important to know it well, and a house is no different. The property you’re selling is your product, so you need to be able to answer questions interested buyers will ask.
Common questions will include the age of the house, when the roof was last renovated, if there are any known electrical wiring issues, and if there is a septic system on the property. You’re legally required to disclose the septic system and presence of lead paint without prompting. Any other issues you would have to be asked specifically and answer honestly.
But you should also know the benefits of the house you’re selling, too. Features like a pool, finished basement, solar panels, an in-law suite, and accessible bathrooms can be major selling points to a lot of buyers, so you’ll want to make sure they’re pointed out.
Improve Curb Appeal
When a potential buyer comes to a home, they want to instantly feel welcome, even before they walk through the front door. The best way to do this is by improving the house’s curb appeal.
This can be done easily, though what, exactly, you do is dependent on the season. For example, if you’re selling a house in the winter, make sure the walkway is freshly shoveled and salted, and perhaps a festive wreath can be put on the door to add a pop of color. In the spring and summer, make sure to have the lawn mowed and good lighting along the pathway. In fall, you’ll want the yard raked so it’s clear of leaves.
Another way to improve curb appeal is by having the door freshly painted. The door is the first thing potential buyers will see up-close, so you should make it vibrant and almost new. Lay out a welcome mat for good measure so no dirt can be tracked into the house that you’ll have to clean up between showings.
Clean and Stage the House
Speaking of cleaning, no one wants to buy a dirty house. This means you should either do a thorough cleaning of all of the rooms yourself, or hire a professional cleaning service to do it for you.
Besides the house being cleaned, it shouldn’t be empty, either. When staging a home, place some basic, minimalist furniture in the main rooms. This better showcases the purpose of the space. The basics include a dining table and chairs in the dining room, couch and coffee table in the living room, and a bed and perhaps a dresser in the master bedroom. Don’t over-decorate or make it look too personal, but don’t leave it empty, either.
Now you’re ready to schedule showings or an open house. Remember to be hospitable and point out the best features of the property. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to be signing the closing documents in no time.
Categorised in: Real Estate Tips