Your realtor will give you as much advance notice as possible for a showing, but always be ready to show your home.
v First, ask your realtor if you should have an open house. Open Houses are usually scheduled for weekend afternoons.
v Your realtor will collect all relevant information from drop-in buyers and answer any questions they may have.
When your home is to be shown
v Turn on all lights, including the outside entrance, even during daytime.
v Turn off the TV.
v The kitchen is the most important room in the house. It is also a good place to start removing clutter. Try to get everything off of the counters and find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers. Not enough cabinet space? Clean them out. Anything that rarely gets used can be put in storage.
v Try to create open space with every counter, cabinet, and drawer in rooms like your kitchen and bathroom. Buyers will open any drawers and cabinets to ensure there is enough storage room for their things. Try to promote a feeling of abundant storage by having as much empty space as possible.
v Basements, garages, attics, and sheds are clutter and junk magnets. Make these areas as empty as possible by putting anything that is not important in storage – or have a garage sale.
v Take your pets with you or ask a friend to take them, especially during an open house.
v Put out fresh flowers, your best towels, a nice tablecloth and other accessories.
v Do not use scented sprays to prepare for the showing of your home. Instead, try using a potpourri pot or something natural.
v Remember that you want to project a positive image of every aspect of your home. So, do whatever it takes to make sure all trash cans are emptied, all beds are made, papers are picked up off the floor, empty glasses are not left around the house, and everything is freshly dusted and vacuumed.
v Leave when your realtor is showing a buyer your home. This way, the buyer feels free to ask questions and linger. If you must stay, be polite, but let your realtor handle the questions.