Showing Tips
How To Prepare For A Showing
It’s very important that your home shows well. We’re also aware that it can’t always be perfect. After all, you and your family must live there too. Develop a routine that will allow you to pick up and be prepared. Beds should be made up first thing in the morning and dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher after use so that you needn’t rush around tending to this matter at the last moment. This way you can prepare for each showing in an organized, un-hassled routine.
When potential buyers approach in their cars, they make their first decision: whether or not to stop and look inside. Therefore, a neat and attractive yard entices a buyer to view your home.
-Keep your yard mowed, raked, and fertilized
-Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and debris from your yard.
-All hoses and garden equipment should be kept out of sight
-Walkways and driveways should be clean and clear of debris. In the winter, clear off snow and ice (You don’t want a potential buyer to slip and fall)
-Paint your mailbox as needed. Ensure that your street number is legible.
-Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, and patios should be swept and in good condition.
-Keep trash cans covered, deodorized, and out of sight.
-Clean, repair, or paint all gutters and outwards facing hardware.
-Clean and shine all metal accessories (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mailboxes, etc.)
Put your property’s best face forward:
Pick up every room: Check counters, floors, halls, and stairs. Straighten up or remove newspapers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreation gear, glasses, and dishes.
Turn on all lights: Even those in closets and storage rooms. Electric lights have an amazing capability for creating an illusion of lightness, airiness, and largeness.
Open all drapes, shades, and blinds: Do all that you can to create a bright and light ambiance. In the bedrooms, make all of the beds, neatly and attractively, early in the morning. This is a job you don’t want to have to do when you learn that the buyers will be there within the hour.
The kitchen: Be sure all counter tops are clear and “squeaky clean” Wipe down appliances. Be sure all dishes are in the dishwasher or cleaned and put away. The sink should be clean and clear.
Clean air: Keep air fresheners in closets, bathrooms, and kitchen. Be especially careful to keep kitchen odors fresh: coffee brewing or a cinnamon coffee cake baking in the oven have a lasting, inviting effect.
Music: Perhaps you can’t have something baking in the oven every time, but soft, pleasant background music may be very effective.
Fireplace: A warm, cozy fire may be just the extra touch that does the trick.
Air conditioning: Of the weather is warm, keep it operating.
Bathrooms: Keep a set of fresh, attractive towels in each room that you can change to instantly.
The entryway: It’s the first and last impression that your buyers will have of your home- make it a good one. Check regularly for sharpness.
We are looking forward to helping you buy or sell in Chester Springs, Downingtown, Malvern, Exton, West Chester, Collegeville and Phoenixville.