Preparing for showing the home

Please note that I describe the process as though you are selling the house on your own. If you choose to accept the help of a real estate professional like me, I will guide you through these steps.

Put the best foot forward

Clean up and tidy up. You want to "showcase" your home. First impressions are the most important. Thoroughly clean and prepare your home before you invite a prospective buyer into your home if you want top dollar.

Leave the home well before the buyer arrives

Most buyers find it uncomfortable when the owner is present. If you are selling your own home you have to be present to show the house but the rest of the family should leave the house.

If you have listed your home with a realtor, your agent has already placed a keybox outside your house with your housekey in it. This makes it easy for other realtors to show the house to their clients because each agent has a key to the keybox. If you have such a keybox, you and the whole family should leave the home well before the buyer and buyer's agent arrive.

Please make sure that you take your pets with you or place them in a secure place. You know your dog is a very friendly dog but the buyers don't know that. I have had buyers who turned and walked away as soon as they realized that there is an unrestrained dog inside the house.

Prepare copies of information sheets for the buyer

It is standard practice to make available copies of flyers which detail key information about the house, as well as copies of disclosure statements. Prepare them well in advance and leave them on the kitchen counter or the dining table.