A Stellar Showing

Read Before Setting Up Showings

(As your agent I will take care of these details if we should hold an open house)

1) First Impressions - Remember that the buyer’s first impression of your home is going to be from the curb. Stand at the curb and get a feel for what they are going to be seeing. Be sure to clean up the flower beds, pick up debris, and “tidy” the appearance of your home from the curb. Although the buyer is a guest in your home, you want the buyer to imagine owning the home. You don’t want to make the buyer feel like an intruder.

• Don’t expect the buyer to remove his/her shoes lay out a mat for feet to be wiped on.
• Leave the house. The buyer won’t talk about the house in front of you or open doors with you standing there.
• Don’t pressure or hurry the buyer. Tell the buyer to take all the time that is needed.
• Leave a bowl of wrapped candy or other treats near the front door with a small note thanking the buyer for coming to see your home.

2) Check the Temperature

• Now is not the time to worry about your utility bill. If it’s cold enough to wear a sweater to stay warm, turn on the heat.
• If it’s warm outside, turn on the air conditioning. It’s better to heat or cool the house a degree or two warmer / colder than usual and then set the temperature at normal. This prevents the heat or A/C from kicking on when the buyer is present, because some HVAC systems are loud.
• You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on hot or cold days!

3) Create a Mood

• Light a fire in the fireplace.
• Make it romantic by placing two champagne glasses on a nearby table. Setting the table for a formal dinner for two can also help buyers to envision how nice it can look.
• Turn on soft music for a soothing background effect.
• If you have water fountains, turn them on. They are especially useful for drowning out traffic noise.

4) Play Down The Scent

• Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers, so don’t spray the air or plug-in air fresheners.
• Don’t burn candles or spray perfume in the bedroom for the same reason. Smells are very memorable whether good scent or bad you don’t want to be that house that smelled.
• If weather permits, open the windows — if there is too much noise outside, close them.
• If you’re going to bake cookies or simmer spices such as cinnamon in water on the stove, put out munchies so buyers aren’t disappointed. More than one buyer has said, “Oh, darn, I thought there were cookies in here!”

5) Play Up the Visual

• If you have seasonal photographs showcasing flower gardens, leaves bursting in color or a snow-covered lawn twinkling from street lights, then display them in a prominent position.
• Open all the window coverings to let in light.
• Keep blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.

6) Light Up The house

• Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights.
• Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spot lights on the floor behind furniture.
• Turn off TV.

7) Encourage Touching

• Drape sensuous fabrics such as velvet or silk throws over chair arms.
• Leave doors slightly ajar.
• If you have carpeting, vacuum in one direction.

8) Provide Thoughtful Cards - Attach printed cards to items and in rooms that provide further information the buyer might miss or might not know. You have so little time to make an impression. This is a great tool for you to point out things in the home ~ you can put a card on the dishwasher that says “new with warranty, one on the stove that says “self-cleaning” etc.

• If you have an antique chandelier in your dining room, put a card on it that discloses its age and other important details.
• If you have removed the washer and dryer from the laundry room, attach a card to the wall describing the room.
• If your basement stairs are steep, attach a card to the railing that cautions buyers to watch their step.
• Cards that indicate something is not included with the home should be avoided, as you want to accentuate the positive in the first showing and negotiate the details after they have become interested in your home.

9 Top It Off With Food - The best way to entice buyers to linger and notice even more details about your home is to offer them food. You don’t need to cater a lunch, but finger sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, water, desserts, all are welcome.

• Set out serving utensils, if needed.
• Provide plates, cups and napkins. They can be paper products.
• In plain sight, provide a waste receptacle.

10) Encourage Buyer Feedback

• Near the snacks, leave pens and a stack of preprinted questionnaire cards or a guest book to sign.
• Buyers will feel obligated to respond to your request after being fed.
• The showing feedback you receive will be invaluable.
• Allow buyer anonymity