When you receive your first request for showings, you know you’re well on the way to a sale.
An important question to ask yourself is “How does my home look in comparison to the pictures online?”
Think about it.
Pictures get them in the door but the reality of what they see is what sells the property. Remember when you clean and staged your home before photos?
Well, we’re not through yet. You’ll want the house to be in the same, if not, better condition for showings.
Tips for Showings
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Have your home look just like it did for the photographs (clean, tidy, uncluttered)
We went through a lot of trouble to get your home market ready. Let’s make sure it reflected when we have showings. Each morning before leaving your home spend a few minutes tidying up around the house. Make the beds, close all shower curtains, do the dishes
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Put all toilet seats down
Let’s face it no one wants to see the inside of a toilet.
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Room by room light auditOpen all curtains and blinds
Open all curtains and blinds throughout the house. You’ll also want to turn on all lights before showings, that includes overhead lights and floor and table lamps. A bright well lit home shows better than one with drawn blinds. Light up every room with as much natural light as possible.
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Hide any valuable and de-personalize your home
Take medications, jewelry, and weapons with you if possible. You’ll also want to put away any bills and important paperwork. We value your anonymity and don’t want buyers to know too much about you.
As it turns out I once when to a broker’s open house and the seller’s tax returns were on the kitchen island right new to the marketing flyers. Let’s just say if I had a client who was interested in the property we had more information then the listing agent would have wanted to share with a potential buyer.
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Turn off the security alarms and lock the doors
The buyer’s realtor will use a key secured in the lockbox to access the home. They will turn off lights and lock up after they’ve shown the home. Each agent will return the key to the lockbox before leaving.
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Expect to be out of the home for at least 45 minutes for each showing
You should exit the home 15 minutes before the showing appointment. Sometimes agents will schedule multiple appointments back to back allowing enough time to view a property than drive to the next home. On occasion, their math will be off and they may arrive a few minutes before or after the scheduled appointment. I recommend allowing a 15-minute window for both the beginning and end of the scheduled showing.
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Take pets with you or kennel them for showings
Plan to make arrangements for your pets beforehand. Having a pet sitter or dog walker that can swing by when you’re at work could be a lifesaver. Otherwise, you may want to find a reliable kennel with a flexible drop off policy.
We all love our furry family members but not everyone does and you’re home will show best if the only bodies present are the buyers and their agent.
Cats sometimes run out and dogs may bark at strangers even if you lock them in a room. It’s best for everyone if the buyers are able to view the home in peace and the animals are saved from the stress of having unfamiliar faces in the house without you there.
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Make sure the brochure box is full and flyers are out
We’ll leave additional flyers with you at the property. Rather than leaving out 50 brochures on the kitchen island or in the foyer you can replenish them as necessary while your home is for sale.
Feedback After Showings
After each showing we’ll request feedback from the showing agent. Immediately following the showing the agent will receive a brief survey regarding their client’s interest and their thoughts on the price and condition of the property.
The response rate from most agents is low but we reach out to each agent multiple times through email, phone calls, and text.
Thinking of selling your home?
Check out my 20+ step process to selling your home. Or contact me now to start the home selling process. Same day appointments are available on a case by case basis.
Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].
Step 1: Hire a Realtor
Step 2: You’ve Hired Your Realtor. What’s next?
Step 3: Declutter and Stage!
Step 4: Conduct a Pre-Listing Inspection
Step 5: Repairs
Step 6: Deep Clean
Step 7: Professional Photography
Step 8: We’ll Pre-Market Your Home
Step 9: We’re live on MLS, now what?
Step 10: Putting your home listing on 3rd party sites (Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, etc.)
Step 11: Time for Showings
Step 12: Week One on the Market
Step 13: You’ve got your first offer!
Step 14: We couldn’t come to agreeable terms with the buyer. What now?
Step 15: Offer was accepted! Congrats!
Step 16: The Home Inspection Period
Step 17: Financing and Appraisal Contingency Period
Step 18: Select a Title Company
Step 19: Scheduling closing date
Step 20: Hire Movers, Start packing!
Step 21: Utilities Transfer
Step 22: Home Owner’s Insurance Cancelation
Step 23: Hire a Cleaning Service
Step 24: Buyer’s Mortgage Approval
Step 25: Final Walkthrough
Step 26: It’s Closing Time!
Step 27: Review Us
About the Author: The above article was written by Abraham Walker, Your Alexandria Virginia Real Estate Agent, helping clients market their homes to achieve high sales with a quick closing time is my main priority.
He’s the co-founder of Ask A Walker and can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and HERE on this blog.
Abraham can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (703)539-2053.
He’s happy to answer all your real estate questions.
Thinking of selling your home? Check out my 20+ step process to selling your home. Or contact me now to start the home selling process. Same day appointments are available on a case by case basis.
Your Alexandria, VA Realtor, Abraham Walker, helps people sell and buy real estate in the following Northern Virginia area cities & neighborhoods: Kingstowne, Island Creek, Cameron Station, Overlook, Alexandria, Old Town, Belle Haven, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, Springfield, West Springfield, Burke, Lorton, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Manassas, Annandale, Fairfax, Arlington, McLean, Reston, Herndon and of course Vienna.
