Whether you are trying to sell your property on your own or you are being assisted by an agent, you are now in the business of selling a home.
As with the sale of any product, the product must meet a need, work properly, and be presented well if it is to command a premium in its given marketplace. A home is no different.
Next Step: Get showing feedback
Click here for your free guide!
Showings: Is your house ready to be shown to buyers?
The "meet a need" component was addressed in the "Determining Your Home's Value" section (step 1) of this report. Assuming that your home is habitable, it will meet the need for housing.The "work" component speaks to the condition of your property. Is it in good shape? Does it need any repairs? Are there any improvements, modifications or enhancements that might be worthwhile to make the home more attractive and marketable? How is the property going to stand up to a thorough inspection by a professional inspector who was specifically hired by the buyer to find problems?
The "presentation" component addresses the "Curb Appeal" of your home and whether it is "Show Ready" or not. "Curb Appeal" has to do with the impression your home makes when a potential buyer pulls up in front of the property. Is the lawn lush and green or are there brown spots? Are bushes and trees manicured and pruned or do they look unkempt? Is the home in need of painting? Does the garage door have dents in it? Will a potential buyer want to get out of their car after pulling up to your home and actually go inside and see it, or will your potential showing turn into a "Windshield Tour?"
By "Show Ready" we ask ourselves is the property "broom clean" and "presentable" for showings? Are bathrooms and kitchens clean? Are beds made? Is the carpet stain-free and vacuumed? Are windows crystal clear? Is the home free of clutter? And will it be that way every day that your house is available for sale? Remember to close toilet seats, empty out dirty laundry hampers, and keep your bathroom and kitchen clean at all times. You never know when you're going to get the call that someone wants to see your house.
Being ready is important for several reasons. First, you will never have a second chance for your home to make a good impression to a potential buyer. Second, you never know when a potential buyer will want to see your property. Like the Boy Scouts say ... "always be prepared."
Home Inspections
It may be a good idea to have your home pre-inspected and get your own inspection report so that you can identify the condition of your home prior to offering it for sale. It may also be a good idea to have a cleaning service come in and professionally clean your home.
Safety and Valuables
Whether you are working with an agent or not, safety is a concern when showing your property to anyone. When a listing agent is called to schedule a showing for a buyer's broker, the listing agent checks the buyer's agent's office identification number to verify that the agent is indeed an agent. Still, it's always a good idea to lock up or otherwise secure your valuables (and medications, a popular target in recent years) when allowing strangers in to view your home, even if you have an agent or they are accompanied by an agent. If you are trying to sell your property yourself, then it is a good idea to have someone with you when you show your home. Crimes have been committed by people posing as homebuyers and viewing homes for sale.
Real Estate Marketing Materials
A prepared seller should also have an area in the house like the kitchen or dining room where you can have your home's brochures (preferably in a display rack) prominently displayed and a sign-in book for people to identify themselves as having viewed the property and at what time. Another item to keep near the brochure tray that helps people to more quickly understand the neighborhood they are considering moving into would include a three-ring binder with pictures, maps, brochures on local amenities like golf courses, schools, shopping centers and any other areas of interest. It is also a good idea to ask any buyer's agents who have viewed the property either by themselves (called a broker preview) or with their client's to leave a business card. In this way, you can endeavor to gain valuable feedback from both the potential buyers and their agents.
OA