In several previous posts and in my print newsletter many of you who own a Folsom home receive each month, I talk about major blunders owners and agents routinely make and how to avoid them.
When it's your turn to sell your Folsom home, it's highly likely that you too will commit one or more costly blunders that will cause your home to take longer to sell, sell for less, or not sell at all, unless of course you know what they are and how to avoid them.
In this post I want to focus on five very specific showing blunders home sellers routinely make. Every year I counsel my seller clients about what I call the "rules of engagement" for showing their Folsom homes. Today I will reveal to you my "5 Simple Showing Rules" that will help you sell your house quicker, for more money, and with the least amount of personal inconvenience and hassle.
Rule #1: Get Lost When Your Home Is Being Shown
Yes I know, there is no one better to tell the buyer about the special maple cabinetry imported from Holland or the marble slab counter tops that were cut from a hillside in Italy, but the truth of the matter is that homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they might not be as comfortable when viewing your home. Visit the local coffee house, yogurt shop, or take the kids to the local park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of the way area of the house and do not move from room to room. Do not volunteer any information, but answer any questions the agent may ask, or refer those questions to your agent.
Rule #2: Light It Up
Don't let the buyer enter your home thinking they've just stumbled into Batman's cold dark and dank bat cave. When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights - even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.
Rule #3: Fragrances
Most agree there's nothing worse than entering a house that smells, except if you happen to be the owner and you are the only one who doesn't know it smells. Have a friend or better yet, a professional home stager do a 'whif' test and if the results for smells come up positive here's what you should and should not do. Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner (or the oven) for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you have been cooking.
Rule #4: Pet Control
If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a note in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with you while people tour your home. If you cannot do this, it is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door. Most of the time, an indoor cat will hide when buyers come to view your property, but they may panic and try to escape so let agents know how to handle things before they show up so the showing doesn't turn into a mad dash to catch the dog or cat that's out the door and heading down the street.
Rule #5: The Kitchen Trash
If you don't want visitors to think your home is garbage don't let it smell like it. If your kitchen trash can does not have a lid, make sure you empty it every time someone comes to look at your home - even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Remember that you want to send a positive image about every aspect of your home. Kitchen trash does not send a positive message. You may go through more plastic bags than usual, but it will be worth it.
Following my "5 Simple Showing Rules" will help your home sell for more money in less time, which in the end will almost be certain to create a more enjoyable selling experience for you.