As a dedicated Realtor, one of the crucial aspects I discuss with homeowners ready to enter the market is the importance of home showings. While maintaining your daily routine, making your home available for potential buyers can feel like quite the balancing act. However, the more accessible your home is, the higher the likelihood of a quicker and more profitable sale. Here’s how to effectively manage your time and keep your home show-ready without disrupting your life too much.
Understand the Importance of Flexibility
The reality of selling your home involves accommodating potential buyers’ schedules, which often means showings can happen at inconvenient times. Being flexible and allowing your home to be available for showings as often as possible significantly increases the odds of finding the right buyer sooner than later.
Plan Ahead for Showings
To minimize disruptions, try to establish a routine for preparing your home for showings. This could include quick daily clean-ups, keeping clutter at bay, and having a plan for last-minute tidying. Consider creating a checklist of quick tasks to complete before a showing, such as turning on lights, opening curtains, and airing out rooms.
Make the Most of Showing Times
When a showing is scheduled, take the opportunity to run errands, visit friends, or enjoy local amenities. This not only keeps you busy but also ensures that buyers can explore your home without feeling rushed or observed, which can make them more comfortable and positive about the property.
Secure a Temporary Retreat
For homeowners with pets or young children, showings can be particularly challenging. It might be beneficial to arrange for pets to stay with a friend or at a pet daycare during showings to avoid any mishaps or additional stress. Similarly, planning outings or visits to family can be a good strategy to keep children engaged and away from the disruption of frequent showings.
*Pets can be a touchy subject with some buyers. I know it can be hard for those of us who adore our furbabies, but some people are not dog (or cat) lovers. Believe it or not, there are people who are terrified, allergic, etc.
During showings we are catering to buyers. It may be worth the effort to secure pets so they don’t disrupt showings.
P.S. I’m an animal lover 🙂
Scheduling Showings
During our listing appointment, I will ask how much notice you need for an agent to show. It’s a good to discuss it so we are all on the same page. Still, sometimes the kids are sick, and you have the power to say, “I just can’t today.”
Keep in mind not allowing a showing should be a rare. Once we’ve listed your home for sale, we need to make it available for buyers to see if at all possible.
You will always be notified prior to a showing being scheduled (unless the home is vacant). While some buyers get a wild hair and could show up on your doorstep, this doesn’t happen very often.
If by chance you do find a buyer on your doorstep, thank them for coming by and hand them my card. Let them know they will need to call me to schedule an appointment.
Once your home is listed, you should NEVER show it yourself. Trust me, this can be a very bad idea, AND you never want to let someone into your home that has not been vetted by your agent.
Maintain Privacy and Security
During showings, it’s important to protect your privacy and security. Secure valuables, sensitive documents, and personal items. Small, portable safes or locked drawers can be useful. Additionally, ensure your real estate agent has a clear protocol for accompanying and monitoring visitors during showings.
Communicate Openly with Your Realtor
Keep open lines of communication with your Realtor about what times work best for your schedule and any adjustments needed based on feedback from showings. Your agent can help strategize the best times for showings to optimize both your comfort and the home’s marketability.
Conclusion
Making your home available for showings might require some adjustments to your daily routine, but with a little planning and flexibility, it doesn’t have to disrupt your life. By preparing your home and making it easy for potential buyers to visit, you’re setting the stage for a successful sale.
Remember, the goal is to showcase your home in its best light to as many potential buyers as possible.
