PREPARING TO SHOW YOUR HOME
General Comments How can you go about your busy lives and be ready to show your home at a moments notice. It isn't easy but it can be done. The key is to develop a routine and to get everyone in the family to do their part. Make the beds when you get up. Clean up the bathroom in the morning before you leave the house. As you get dressed, hang up clean clothes and put soiled ones in the hamper. After eating, immediately rinse the dishes, put them in the dishwasher & clean the counter & stove. If you keep to this routine, you can be ready for showing with just a few minutes notice for last minute pick up.
BEFORE EACH SHOWING:
Straighten Up Walk through the entire house. Newspapers, magazines & mail should be straightened up or put away. Clothing, toys, dishes & clutter should be put away.
The Kitchen Be sure all clutter is off the tables & counter tops. Wipe down counters and appliances. Make sure dishes are clean and put away. Make sure the sink is clean.
The Bathroom Check to make sure the toilet lid is down and the sink doesn't have water spots. Put away all toiletries. Keep an extra set of clean towels that can be put out in a second. Use air fresheners.
The Entryway Make it as inviting as possible. If you have a table in the entry, consider putting flowers on it. The 1st & last impression your buyers will have is of your entry Make it a good impression. SUBTLE IMPRESSIONS
Lighting Nothing sets a mood like lighting. Turn on all the lights, even those in closets and storage rooms. Raise the blinds and open the drapes. For evening showings, use dimmers to create a cozy mood and feeling of ambiance.
Fireplace In the fall & winter, build a fire. Nothing makes you feel more at home than a cozy, crackling fire.
Music "To soothe the savage beast", play soft background music. It relaxes people and puts them in a more receptive mood.
Fragrances Do something to engage the olfactory senses. Have fresh coffee brewing, something baking in the oven, put out potpourri, burn incense or scented candles or put out air fresheners. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something.
Temperature Winter or summer, make sure you keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
PREPARE FOR YOUR SHOWINGS! MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION ON PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. MAKE THEM REMEMBER YOUR HOME!
Written by : LARRY BALLARD, Broker/Owner, Total Solutions Realty, LLC.Serving the needs of the Naperville, Plainfield & Oswego areas