Keep your Toilet Seats Down- Home Presentation Musts
We’ve all seen homes, whether in photos or in person, and thought, what is going on!?
Nothing screams I want this house like the creepy old dolls sitting in rocking chairs seemingly staring at you wherever you lurk or Aunt Ellen in the basement with her dog and her dog’s pee stains waiting for you at your private showing (both are real stories). With the past craze in the market, sellers have gotten lazy. Things that shouldn’t fly have been lately and it’s time to reverse that trend.
Kristen (broker at Village) always preaches keeping toilet seats down in photos and during showings. This is just one of many things that should be done when you’re looking to cash out of one of your largest assets. What’s the first thing you see when evaluating a property? This isn’t your grandparent’s day and age; media is everything. Media including photos, videos, drone imagery, and property layouts such as matter port drawings are the first things buyers are exposed to when looking at a property. Nothing frustrates me more than a discount broker that tries to take photos themselves using a polaroid camera from the 5th grade. Now photo quality matters, but at the same time the quality of the setting matters as well. Well-lit, clean, and open imagery is the best way to market a property. No one wants to see the house that looks like it was a scene from a hoarding show. Messy homes, make the house look older, smaller, and less valuable. Drone imagery is also a great way to get buyers’ attention especially when the drone imagery shows the properties’ relation to landmarks. I have had several listings in the suburbs where I used drone photos to show proximity to schools. So prospective buyers have seen your photos they’re on their way, first phase complete.
Curb appeal, no one wants the worst-looking home in the neighborhood, and they certainly don’t want a home that’s overgrown with landscaping and dead grass (seasonal) that resembles the Addams family home. When buyers are looking at properties to occupy, they’re looking for an emotional feeling that they belong there. When getting ready to list your house always look at your landscaping, just like the inside cleanliness and tidiness matter. A power wash goes a long way on your patio and your home. Also, remember peeling paint is a disqualifier for FHA mortgages (the most popular first-time homebuyer loan). I recently showed a home where the sellers had dogs. I love my pups as much as the next person but seeing holes in the backyard and poop everywhere was a huge turn-off. A clean exterior and interior that looks inviting will get buyers to take the next step, which is to walk in. I’ve had plenty of buyers drive up to a house just to say let’s move on.
Walking into a home must be inviting. All lights must be on! This is mandatory; agents absolutely need to do this. The brighter the home, the more open and clean it looks. Next, I love candles and scents in homes. Nothing is more inviting than walking into a home and getting wrapped in a comforting aroma. The longer buyers hang around your home the more likely they are to put in an offer. Don’t rush your agents on showings, let them do their job. To keep prospective buyers around I bring out snacks, all kind of beverages, and anything I can do to preoccupy kids and make people feel comfortable. When it comes to comfort, remove any clutter, and put away laundry, toys, and toiletries. Let’s be honest, no one wants to see your nose hair trimmer! Clean your windows, closets, and showers because people will look everywhere!
Now it’s time for your agent to seal the deal! Your landscaping looks immaculate and your home is clean and inviting. Your agent sets up the best media person they know, and all phases have led to your property going under agreement. But wait, you’re not entirely done yet! Your home isn’t closed until the property goes on record; remember the buyers will come back whether it’s for a home inspection or a walk-through, so it’s important to be prepared for when they do!
We have a more detailed seller’s checklist. We will also have several meetings with you prior to listing your home to go over all the little details and of course all the big ones!