The primary point to remember about showings is to make your home accessible to potential buyers.
We understand that having people come into your home is inconvenient. Rest assured, we will work with you to make this as painless as possible by providing as much advance notice as we can. But the more people who view your home early on, the more likely we will get an offer (or offers).
Before any showings, we will discuss showing requirements. Some people need 24 hours notice while others need very little, or none at all if the home is vacant. This notice will be described in the MLS agent instructions. As requests come in, we will notify you to ensure the dates and times work for your schedule. If they don’t, we can offer an alternate, but we strongly recommend being flexible to accommodate a potential buyer’s schedule.
On average, a typical private showing takes about 15 minutes to half an hour. It may take longer if your home is spacious, or if the buyer is extremely interested in your property. If you will be home during the property tour, please tidy up and leave at least 15 minutes before the showing start time. Generally speaking, it’s safe to return home 45 minutes later. So, if a showing is set for 12noon, leave at 11:45am and return home after 12:30pm. If you arrive home and it appears the buyer is still there, please wait outside until they’ve gone.
Remember, when it comes to showings, it is very important to keep your home clean and looking like it does in the professional photos buyers have seen online. Always have your home ready to show, since odds are you may be at work or away when a showing is scheduled. As mentioned above, Dawn or a member of her Team will let you know in advance of all showings.
Below is a list of items that will help you achieve a show-ready home:
- On a daily basis, keep your home clean: put away dishes and clothing, vacuum, do a quick dusting, wipe counters, make beds, put down all toilet seat lids, etc.
- Let the light in by opening blinds and window treatments
- Turn on all lights before leaving the house (before a showing)
- Secure or take all valuables and personal items: jewelry, medications, bills, or any documents that note your personal information
- Hide or remove pet toys, bedding, litter boxes, etc.
- Turn off the alarm system, if applicable
- Lock all doors
- Take pets with you unless you are certain they will be okay around strangers; even then, it is best to crate them, bring them to a neighbor’s, or place them outside if possible
The buyer’s agent will use the key in the lockbox/Supra to enter your home. This is a secure system that only enables agents with the necessary technology to access the key. After the showing, the agent should leave a business card to let you know they’ve been by. They will also turn off all the lights, lock all doors, and return the key to the lockbox. The lockbox software logs all agents who have accessed the key.
The first week your home is on the market tells us a lot. Read more about how Dawn will track the metrics and feedback about your home.
