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When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, leave it as if you know it is going to be shown. -
Fill the house with pleasing scents, such as potpourri or candles. Vanilla is best. Don’t overwhelm a buyer or let them think you are trying to hide something. -
Make sure all the light are on and window treatments are open -
Turn off the television -
Keep pets out of the way—preferably out of the house. Many people are uncomfortable around animals and may even be allergic to them. -
Leave your premises.. Take a short break while your home is being shown. Buyers are intimidated when sellers are present and tend to hurry through the house. Let the buyers be at ease, and let the agents do their job. -
Be sure that all mail and any documents that may indicate why you are moving are out of sight. Even though you spend your valuable time readying your house for a sale, the selling itself is the job of The Zuidema Team. We will take responsibility for marketing the house to appropriate audiences and bringing in buyers to view the home. A lot of this marketing is done through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Your home’s profile is entered in a home database available to all brokers in the MLS membership. Interested Real Estate Agents may tour the home to become familiar with it. Other informal advertising comes when The Zuidema Team plants a company sign in your yard to announce the availability of your home. When can I expect showings on my house?
After all the advertising and marketing activity, The Zuidema Team and other selling brokers will begin bringing prospects to visit the house. You’ll be notified in advance, and the visits will usually be made by appointment. We will make every effort to give you as much advance notice as possible, however, sometimes agents do call with short notice. Use the notice to tidy up and make available the property profile you’ve prepared. Even if the showing is short notice, it’s a good idea to accept every visitor appointment possible — you never know which prospect will want to make an offer on your house. Should I stay or should I go?
While you’re understandably anxious and eager to know what a potential buyer thinks of your home, experienced brokers will tell you that the best situation for a buyer is to view a home without the present owner in it. You don’t want the buyer to feel like an intruder, so find an excuse to leave the house or, if that’s not realistic, greet the prospect but then keep yourself in the yard or part of the home where you’ll be out of the way. Keep your TV or radio off, clear the pets out of the house, and leave questions and answers to the selling broker unless you’re asked a specific question. And by all means, leave price and other such negotiations to the showing agents; that’s their job. What if someone knocks at my door stops me in my yard and wants to see my home?
If a prospect calls you or visits unexpectedly, get their name and phone number. It’s in your interest to refer buyers to The Zuidema Team for an appropriate tour and sales information. More Information |
