Tips for Showing your Home

You have put in a huge amount of time and effort to get your Calgary Home looking great and ready to sell. Your hard work is now going to pay off.  Your home is on the Calgary Real Estate Market. You are ready to begin the showings.  Your house should always be ready for a tour, as real estate agents could bring clients by with very little notice.  If you are caught you unprepared and unable to show the house on the spot, you could be losing out on a potential home sale. Focus on the following to ensure your home is ready to show:

Curb Appeal

Is your home in Sales Mode from the moment the potential new home owners park in front of your house? As soon as the buyers step one foot on your property, they are looking around and judging. What they see from the start will influence their entire perception of your home. Making a great first impression is critical. Clean, Organized and in Good Repair shows and tells what to expect inside as well. Don’t forget about the outside as you get caught up focusing on the inside!

People  

Homebuyers may feel like intruders if you are present while they view your house, and this will affect their overall impression.  Go visit the local coffee shop, or go shopping, or take the kids to the park.  If you cannot leave while the house is being shown, try to be as unassuming as possible.  Do not move from room to room.  Do not offer information but make yourself available to answer any questions the agent or buyers might have. It’s best to get out and let the buyers get the feel of the property.

Lighting

When you know an agent is bringing someone by, make sure all of the drapes and window shades are open to let in as much daylight as possible, or—if the showing is taking place at night—to create a look of comfort and warmth when viewed from the outside.  Open all the doors between rooms to create an open, inviting feel.  Turn on all lamps and overhead lights, even during the day.  Keeping lights on during the day softens the harsh shadows sunlight can create in a room and illuminates dim corners.  During nighttime showings, make sure all outdoor lights are on. 

Cleanliness  

Scan the floor for debris—newspapers and magazines tend to accumulate without our noticing.  Make sure all the counters are clutter-free.  Empty the kitchen garbage before every showing, particularly if the garbage can does not have a lid.  Keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed.  Beds should be made, and bathrooms cleaned (toilet lid down).  Every room should sparkle.

Scents and Sounds  

Avoid using scented sprays before showing your home.  Some people simply will not enjoy the smell, and others may be allergic.  If you want to make a room smell pleasant, consider a potpourri pot or a naturally-sourced aroma. Open some windows and let the fresh air in if possible.

Turn off the television.  Put on some soothing background music at a low volume. 

Pets  

If you have pets, make sure your listing agent includes this in your listing on the Multiple Listing Service.  This way, no one will be surprised by a furry welcome while the real estate agent shows the house.  If you know someone is coming to tour the house, ideally, you should take the pets with you or arrange to have a friend or family member take them.  If this is not possible, keep dogs in the backyard, preferably in a penned area.  Try to keep indoor cats in one room while people are touring the house and put a sign on the door.