Showing the house

Your house should always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Let your agent put a lock box in a convenient place to make it easy for other agents to show your home to homebuyers. Otherwise, agents will have to schedule appointments, which is an inconvenience. Most will just skip your home to show the house of someone else who is more cooperative.

Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have lost a chance to sell your home.

Try not to be home

Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit a coffee shop; go out to eat an ice cream; take the kids to the playground. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain “invisible” in an out-of-the-way area of your house – don’t move from room to room with the viewers. Do not volunteer any information, but answer any questions the agent might ask.

Lighting

When you know someone is coming to view your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a welcoming impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows and it brightens up any dark areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.

Fragrances

Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find these smells offensive – not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner (or the oven) for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you’ve been baking – which will also contribute to the homey, welcoming atmostphere.