Showing Tips for Sellers
Denver real estate agent Krystal Craft wrote an excellent post directed to homeowners about making it easy to show your home. You’d think the points she makes are no-brainers, but every single one of them has been a problem for me as well. Some excerpts,
- Ask to review the MLS Listing sheet as soon as it is available. Check your agent’s work. That means don’t just look for mistakes but look for what is missing. We love to know lot sizes and whether or not you have a basement, fireplace or other desirable goodies. Your agent most likely will appreciate your added suggestions, I know my buyers will also.
- Brochures in the box are very helpful, particularly when we find a neighborhood we love and we want to know if we can afford your home. Yes, I can call or use my iPhone to access MetroList, but jumping out of the car is not only quicker it gives us some exercise!
I’ve heard many agents argue about those brochure boxes only feeding the hunger of nosey neighbors wanting to snoop. However, I find them to be extremely helpful in situations like Krystal describes. If I’m driving in a neighborhood showing property and we happen to see one that for some reason was missed on the MLS search, then I want more information about it! Krystal says “yes we can call the agent” but the problem I’ve found is that a good 80 percent of the time, the agent won’t answer. I hear voice mail promising a return call - a call that never materializes. And, of course, the person answering the phone won’t give simple information like the price because they are usually receptionists not licensed by the state to sell real estate. If they answer, it could be trouble for them and for their office. *take a breath* So agents and sellers, please DO put out brochure boxes.
Another obvious but often forgotten tip is to CLEAN YOUR HOUSE. I can understand a cobweb in a corner and never point them out to a buyer, but they bother me. It’s the houses that are really filthy that are the worst though. I don’t like stepping over piles of dirty clothes or seeing dishes in the sink with bugs scurrying away. I don’t want to walk in your yard if the grass is ankle (or knee) high. I definitely don’t want to see a dead kitten in the neglected pool (yes, another true story from another agent).
Pay attention, sellers. You absolutely can not afford to let any detail no matter how small slip. Be on your toes to catch the little things you missed in your daily cleaning routine. (Yes I said DAILY!). Get busy.
