If your home is on the market, it should be available at all
times for showing to potential buyers. After all, how else do
you expect to sell it? During the time your house is on the
market, try to keep it prepared for a showing whenever possible.
When you get prior notice that someone is coming to view your
home, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure their
viewing is a pleasant one.The number one thing is not to be
there. If it all possible, try to schedule showings during times
when you're at work, or simply leave for an hour when you know
potential buyers are on their way. The reason is obvious: Buyers
who are exploring your home will feel like they're intruding if
you are there, and they'll want to exit quickly. You want buyers
to feel welcome, and to feel as though this house is a place
they might be able to call home themselves. Your absence allows
them to test their own comfort level in the home.
Take out the trash. This is a tiny tip that works wonders.
Even if it's hidden in the cellar, or if the can is almost
empty, put a fresh trash bag in before buyers come to look at
your home. Aside from eliminating the chance that your house
might have a funky smell, this also reduces the "lived-in"
look," making it easier for buyers to picture this home as their
own.
Don't leave out dirty dishes. This is another big "Someone Lives
Here" clue that is unpleasant to buyers. If you have a
dishwasher, it's fine to pile the dirty dishes inside and close
the door (although keep in mind that if the dishwasher comes
with the house, they might very well look inside!) But a sink
(or, worse, a table) piled with dishes sends the wrong message.
Open the curtains. This one seems small, but it's not. Even if
you don't have much natural light in your home, it's crucial to
take advantage of what you do have. Open all blinds fully
(unless there's a really ugly view outside) and draw back
light-blocking curtains. If you're out of luck and your showing
isn't on a sunny day, turn on the lights in every room. You
might feel like you're wasting energy, but in reality you're
eliminating dark corners and a possibly musty feeling that might
come from a house sitting in shadow.
The best way to keep a house prepared for the market is to
keep the major cleaning at bay. Wash, wax and vacuum twice a
week, and keep it picked up in between. That way, if you get
last-minute notice of a showing, you can fix a few details, head
out the door, and know that your house is showing its best
possible face to the world.
About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a real
estate expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.king-of-real-estate.com/
for more information on real estate, mortgages, and finding the
house of your dream.
Source: www.isnare.com
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