What You Should Do During Showings…

Someone has just called to show the house and now all the hard work you have done to make it look good is about to pay off. You just need a few last minute touches.

Clean Air
Keep air fresheners in closets, bathrooms and kitchen. Be especially careful to keep kitchen odors fresh. Baking fresh bread or pie can have a lasting, inviting effect.

Television and Radio Off
The television and radio should be turned off. Let the agent and the buyer talk, free of disturbances.

Fireplace
During the right time of year, a cozy fire may be just the right touch that does the trick.

Air Conditioning
If the weather is warm and sultry, have your air conditioning operating.

The Entryway
It is the first and last impression that your buyers will have of your home. Make it a good one.
Check it regularly for sharpness.

When the agent arrives with the prospects, have the drapes and window shades open to let in as much daylight as possible. If it happens to be night, be sure that all of your outdoor lights are on, especially landscape and pool lights, if you have them.

Open all doors between rooms to give an inviting feeling. Turn on all of the lights, including the lamps.

Pick up any newspapers or magazines that may be lying around. See that the counters are free of unnecessary items and that any dirty dishes are put in the dishwasher. Take out the trash, if needed.

If you have pets, get them out of the way. Not everyone may share your love for animals. Some people may be allergic to them or frightened by them.

The beds should be made and clothes picked up. Bathrooms should be clean, the toilet lid down.

When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, please leave it as if you know it is going to be shown. It might even mean you have to get up a little earlier in order to take care of these important items. You never know when the right person is going to look at it, so you must always be ready for them.

Everything is going to be fine. The agent has called in advance and you have made your last minute preparations as indicated in “Preparing Your Home For Showing.”

Relax There is nothing more to do. Pick up a magazine while you are waiting. Try to be understanding. The agent may have several home showings scheduled and he or she may be a bit early or late. It is very difficult to be perfectly precise.

The Dog Keep Fido away. Pet lovers will be distracted by your fun pet. For those who do not have pets, it may be bothersome.

Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard This is a new experience for the kids. Naturally, they are excited, but they will disturb the professional flow of the showing. Ask them to remain away from the agent and buyers, to go outside or to watch TV.

Ding-Dong Answer the door as you would for any welcome guest. The agent will take care of the introductions. If there is a situation that needs mentioning, perhaps a sick child in the second bedroom, do so now. You may invite the agent to begin showing the home and then you may excuse yourself.

Low Profile Discreetly remain away from the buyers. As helpful as you wish to be, your presence will be intimidating. They need to be able to discuss the home freely with one another. The agent needs to learn from the buyers and how they are responding to your home. Your presence can limit that free communication.

What Should You Do? Read a magazine, take a walk outside, and continue with a chore. Pick a room and settle down. When they stop to preview that room, you may leave, but it is not really necessary. After all, they don’t want to feel that they are chasing you around the house. If there is a room that you should try not to be in, it would be the kitchen, since buyers generally spend more time there as they evaluate appliances, counter space, cabinets, etc.

Conversing With The Buyers If you are asked a question about the neighborhood, schools, etc., by all means answer pleasantly. However, avoid becoming engaged in a conversation. Questions regarding terms of sale should be referred to the agent. If the agent is a cooperating broker and does not have the answers, advise him or her that I, your Sales Associate, will contact him.

Inclusions: The listing sheet should clearly identify items that are included and excluded in the offered property. Don’t initiate conversations about other personal property that you may be interested in negotiating. It rarely is a deal clincher, may be distracting, and besides, there will be time to discuss this at the offer presentation time.

Let The Pro Work As much as you love your home, don’t be tempted into doing the agent’s job. He or she has been working with the buyers and should know what is important to them. Whether the agent mentions your new refrigerator now, or after they leave, is up to him or her.

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