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So
the
day
has
come
to
show
your
house
to
perspective
buyers.
The
REALTOR®
has
called
and
said
the
showing
is
in a
few
hours.
You
want
to
make
sure
your
home
is
ready
to
get
the
best
price
from
that
perfect
buyer.
Panic
may
set
in
for
a
moment,
but
you
take
a
deep
breath
and
realize
you
are
prepared
because
you
planned
ahead
and
got
yourself
organized
beforehand.
So
now
all
you
have
to
do
is
run
around
and
get
your
short
list
done.
Before
you
can
reach
your
short
list
mode,
ensure
you
have
tackled
the
bigger
things
like
making
sure
your
home
environment
is
properly
staged
for
the
showing:
the
seating
arrangement
in
the
living
room
should
be
open
and
clutter-free;
the
kitchen
and
closets
are
well-organized;
the
necessary
updates
and
touchups,
such
as
painting,
are
complete.
Now
comes
the
task
of
maintaining
that
setting
and
running
the
house
in
an
efficient
way
to
allow
that
organized
life
to
remain.
The
below
checklist
has
helped
me,
in
the
past,
get
my
house
ready
to
list
on
the
market.
The
Home
Staging
Check
List
(Weekly
Plan)
Outside
The
House
Once
your
house
is
listed
on
the
market,
always
remember
potential
buyers
may
drive
by
at
any
time
to
see
if
they
want
to
schedule
a
showing.
Ensure
they
follow
through
making
that
appointment
by
keeping
up
with
your
property's
maintenance:
-
Grass is cut and weeds are removed.
-
Leaves and driveway are clear.
-
Front steps and doorway are cleaned up. Plus, clean off any outdoor porch or yard furniture.
-
Potted flowers and plants look fresh and well-cared.
-
Kids toys are kept in a storage area or in an organized way not all over the lawn.
-
Clean up after your pets outside.
-
If you can, keep the garage door closed.
Remember,
you’ll
be
having
potential
buyers
driving
by
your
house
to
see
if
they
want
to
arrange
to
see
the
inside.
So
always
think
about
the
fact
that
your
home
is
being
seen
once
it
goes
on
the
market.
Inside
The
House
To
ensure
you
are
ready
when
your
REALTOR(R)
calls
with
a
last
minute
showing,
continually
maintain
organization
inside
the
house:
-
Vacuum the main areas weekly.
-
Clean out the fridge.
-
Do the laundry to avoid large piles.
-
Do a big clean in each bathroom.
-
Get the kids to keep their toys organized. Get bins or baskets to make it easy…turn on some music to make clean up time a fun adventure with a purpose.
-
File, purge or store mail in one place, out of site, for easy access.
-
Check windows and glass doors for fingerprints.
-
Buy some fruit (green apples, lemons or oranges) for props in your kitchen.
-
Buy coffee to have coffee brewing in your house.
-
Have ready-to-bake cookies on hand. Baking cookies before a showing does say “home” to many people.
-
Have some fresh flowers on hand. A simple arrangement in your foyer or dining table is a nice touch.
-
Put away unnecessary items that are out in the open.. Stay ahead of the game by staying on top of this.
Day
of
Showing
Once
you
get
the
call
from
your
REALTOR (R)
that
prospective
buyers
are
coming
to
take
a
look:
-
Gather up the pets and put them in their crate in the yard or put them in the car crate. With them out of the way, you can move faster.
-
Allow your children to take part in getting the house ready for the showing. Maybe each are responsible for straightening up their rooms or toys. Once done – they go outside in the backyard until it’s time to go or, if older, give them the job of turning on all the lamps and lights in the house for the showing. Check all the beds. They don’t have to look perfect – but clean and neat.
-
Hit the start button on the coffee maker.
-
If you have time to throw a batch of ready-to-bake cookies in the oven…even better!
-
A treat for the kids for their fast moves and help after you come back home!
-
Make sure kitchen and bathroom surfaces are cleared off and clean.
-
Put dishes away or in the dishwasher
-
Turn on some music softly playing in the living room or family room.
-
Make sure throw pillows look nice on the sofas.
-
Check coffee table or other table surfaces – how does your decor look? Adjust them, if necessary.
-
Depending on season, you could have a fire going in the fireplace to really say “welcome”. If not, you could light a nice smelling candle in the foyer – nothing too sweet or overpowering.
-
If it is nice out and you can open windows – do so.
-
As you leave the house, make sure the front yard looks good – toys put away, nothing on walkway and get everyone into the car.
With
these
simple
steps
you
can
stage
your
home
and
have
it
ready
to
show
to
prospective
buyers,
and
sell
your
home
quickly
and
for
the
best
price
when
the
right
buyer
walks
in.
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
