My Home is on the Market, Now What?

Let’s face it, selling your house is inconvenient.  Everything from your floorplan to your decorating choices can be analyzed and criticized.  Your schedule is disrupted by showings and open houses and you have to add extra time to your morning routine to leave your house in showing condition each day. 

As your Realtor, it’s my job to make the process of selling your home as easy for you as possible.  As such, I’ve provided some tips on how to weather showings with ease.  Keep in mind that this disruption to your routine is temporary and that all of the aggravation will be worth it once you sell your home! 

If an agent & their buyer show up late to a showing…

Unless the agent is an hour or more late, smile and let them in!  Keep in mind that agents often show buyers numerous homes in one outing, so it can be difficult to remain on schedule.  It’s polite for the agent to reschedule thru the showing service if they are running late, but this doesn’t always happen.  When they arrive, politely make yourself scarce (sit on the back porch or take a drive around the neighborhood) until they leave.  Remember, someone will not buy your house until they see it, so let them in!

If an agent or their client damages your property…

If you’re selling your house, it’s prudent to remove easily breakable and/or valuable items from high traffic areas….but, remember that accidents happen.  Unless the agent or buyer was negligent or the accident caused significant damage, let it go. 

If an agent shows up without an appointment...

Politely ask them to use their keycard to access the lockbox and ask them to give you a business card.  If at all possible, let them in and make yourself scare until they leave.  If you absolutely cannot accommodate a showing, let them know that you were not prepared for a showing and politely ask them to reschedule.  Keep in mind that mistakes happen.  The agent may have booked the appointment and the showing service scheduled it incorrectly or there may have been some sort of miscommunication.  If the agent is unable to use their keycard to access the lockbox and cannot provide you with a business card, DO NOT allow them into your home. 

If a buyer knocks on your door and wants to see your home…

Give them my card!  As your Realtor, I will make sure they are pre-approved to buy your home and will schedule a time to show them your property.  This is not only safer for you and your family, but also insures that your home will only be shown to serious buyers. 

If you insist on being present during all showings…

Don’t!  Sellers who are present during showings make buyers extremely uncomfortable and encourage buyers to quickly walk thru the home and leave.  Do yourself a favor and leave 30 minutes prior to each showing in order to maximize the experience for the buyer. 

If your pets will be in the home during showings…

It’s best to keep all pets crated in a secure location.  Keep in mind that securing your pet makes it easier for buyers to access your home as well as prevents your pet from escaping or entering “off limits” sections of the house during showings.