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Home-Showing Checklist: Quick Wins To Sell Faster And For More
Prepping your home for a showing may sound like a daunting task, but following this checklist of quick tips will make it easier. In this article, we will look at nine important recommendations you should consider before letting potential buyers and realtors in to your private residence:
Clean Your Home Thoroughly Before Any Showing
Before a viewing or open house, clean your home thoroughly from top to bottom. Pay close attention to the bathrooms and kitchen as these areas are inspected more closely than bedrooms, living rooms, and closets are.
Vacuum and mop floors, wipe down counters, move personal items and paperwork out of sight, and give your toilets, sinks, and showers an extra scrub. Ensure toilet seats and covers are down. Get down to eye-level with your counters to ensure you did not miss any crumbs or dust.
Move small appliances like knife blocks and kettles off the counters for a more spacious look. Large appliances like coffee machines and air fryers can stay. Empty garbage, compost, and recycling bins if they are kept inside your home.
Declutter to the best of your abilities. Put clothes in the closet, dresser, or hamper. Take a few moments to puff up your pillows and neatly fold blankets.
Do not fret if your home is not show home-level clean and organized. The people viewing your home are more concerned about space and layout rather than checking for dust along a baseboard.
Make Your Home Feel Inviting To Guests
Turn on the lights in each room (including under-cabinet lights and closet lights). This, combined with opening every blind and curtain, will brighten every room, making it feel warm and inviting. Keeping lights off and curtains closed makes rooms feel cold and dreary, which is not ideal when selling your home.
Be sure to change any burned out bulbs before your showing. Use warm-white light bulbs (2700K-300K) to make rooms feel warm and reduce strain on eyes.
Set your thermostat to a comfortable 72F/22C before your showing. This is a comfortable baseline for anyone walking in to view your home. While it may not play a drastic role in their overall opinions, it will prevent them from feeling too hot or too cold while touring your dwelling.
If you are showing your home during the winter months, shovel your driveway and remove any ice build up on the sidewalk and walkways. Lay down some pickling salt or sand so anyone walking to your door does not slip and fall.
Remove Pets From The Home Before The Showing
If you have pets, like a cat or dog, remove them from the house before the showing. Pets can distract both potential buyers and realtors, even if they are locked in a room, in a kennel, or roaming around the back yard.
Take your pet to a pet-friendly neighbor or family members home, on a long walk, to a pet-friendly store, or just hang out in your vehicle while you wait for your showing to finish. Be aware that extended periods in a kennel may cause high amounts of stress on your furry friend so try to accommodate them as best you can.
Pets contained in aquariums or large enclosures (like fish, lizards, and snakes), can remain on the property as moving them may cause unnecessary stress or accidental death. Clean the enclosure thoroughly, store supplies away and out of sight, and consider covering the enclosure with a towel or sheet.
Move Your Car
Regardless of whether you park in the garage, on the driveway, or on the street in front of your house, it is a good idea to move your vehicle. This gives potential buyers a clear, unobstructed view of the garage, driveway, and the front of the house.
Some people may wonder if the vehicle in the garage or on the driveway is covering up a crack, oil stain, or other defect that needs to be repaired.
Remember To Lock Up Your Valuables Before Your Showing
Although anyone walking through your home should be accompanied by a realtor, that does not mean that they do not have sticky fingers. Secure all valuables away and out of sight. This includes jewelry, personal documents, and medications.
Even placing them in a closet under a folded towel or sheet is better than leaving them out in the open for someone to glance over or stuff in their pocket when no one is looking.
Give Potential Buyers Some Extra Space (And Time)
Most home walkthroughs last anywhere from 15 minutes up to an hour or two. Open houses can last multiple hours. Be sure to give potential buyers a buffer both before and after the viewings to allow them to discuss specifics about the home with their realtor.
A 15-30-minute window both before and after the allotted show time is respectful. Buyers will feel pressured if you pull up to your home while they are still looking around. This could potentially impact the sale.
Advice On Using Cameras And Security Systems During Showings:
It is not uncommon for sellers to have a camera (or cameras) on their property. Whether it is a full security system or a small portable camera, you want to keep an eye on your belongings and know who is entering your home.
Although a realtor should be present with anyone who wants to view your home, some people want to have the peace of mind knowing that their property will not be damaged or stolen.
If you want to keep your cameras operating during showings, it must be disclosed in the private remarks in the listing. If you do, consider placing a sign near the main entrance informing anyone who enters that they will be recorded. Do not set your alarm system before you leave and NEVER give out to anyone.
Some buyers feel uncomfortable knowing they are being tracked and listened to while walking through your home. This can deter them from talking openly about what they like, pricing, and other topics with the realtor.
Should You Use Scents During A Showing?
A pleasant smell wafting through you home can offer an olfactory comfort to those viewing your dwelling. One candle, diffuser, or wax melt in an open area is fine.
A fresh, clean scent as soon as potential buyers walk in the door can be inviting. The scent of cinnamon rolls or fresh baked cookies in the kitchen can subconsciously trigger a nostalgic connection or desire to bake with their family.
Having a different scent for every floor or room in your home can be overbearing. Some people may wonder if you are trying to cover up odours. Overpowering scents, like heavy spices or strong vanilla, may cause some people to develop headaches. This can negatively affect their opinion and buying decision on the home.
Should You Leave Out Snacks Or Refreshments During A Showing?
Some sellers may leave out snacks or refreshments as a polite gesture for anyone who is viewing their home. Although this seems inoffensive, consider that some people with food allergies may avoid snacks completely and others may steer away if they do not know what is in them or who made them.
If you wish to offer your potential buyers something to eat or drink; individually wrapped cookies or candies and sealed water bottles are safe choices.
Summary
Preparing your home for an open house and viewings is something that every seller needs to do. Following these recommendations will make your home stand out from the others on the market and positively influence potential buyers. Be sure to save this article so you can refer to it when you are preparing to put your house on the market.
This article was written with ideas and suggestions from our good friend and supporter, Jesse Lindbeck. Jesse is the co-founder of Peak Real Estate Group. His extensive knowledge in the real estate business is beneficial for anyone looking to buy or sell. Drop him a line if you live in the Calgary area.
If you are planning on viewing a home in the near future, we highly recommend reading our article Etiquette When Viewing A Home With A Realtor.
Want more useful etiquette tips and advice? Read these articles next:
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