St Louis Metro Area Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - Showing Your Homehttps://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/Copyright TheChadWilsonGroup.com2024-02-09T11:08:31-07:00tag:thechadwilsongroup.com,2012-09-20:23578 How to Sell a Home with Pets<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/How_to_Sell_a_Home_with_Pets.png" width="750" height="275" alt="How to Sell a Home with Pets" title="How to Sell a Home with Pets" />
St. Louis residents love their furry friends just as much as the rest of the country! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are around 83 million dogs and 62 million cats in the United States. Many other households in St. Louis also have a range of other pets, including hamsters, fish, birds, reptiles, and even exotic animals. However, when it comes to selling a home in St. Louis with pets, it can be a bit trickier. While you may see your pets as an integral part of your family, potential buyers may not feel the same way.
It's important to remember that buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in the space, which means any evidence that a pet lives in the home should be well hidden. Messy backyards or the scent of a dirty litter box can be enough to turn off a potential buyer during a showing. But don't worry - selling a pet-friendly home in Missouri doesn't have to be stressful. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure a successful sale. Today we will share some tips for selling your pet-friendly home in St. Louis, so let's get started!
Considerations for Home Showings
When it comes time to sell your home, you'll probably have to <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/sellers/showing-your-home/" title="Showing Your Home" target="_blank">show it to potential buyers</a>. If you have pets, it's important to think about how to manage their presence during these showings. Here are the top things to consider:
Consider Your Pets Needs
When you're getting ready to put your home on the market, it's important to consider the impact the process may have on your pets. The changes and disruptions to their routine and the presence of unfamiliar people and smells can be stressful for some animals. If your pet is prone to anxiety or stress during times of change, you may want to discuss potential coping strategies with your veterinarian. Keep in mind that every pet is unique and may react differently to selling a home, so it's important to consider your pet's needs as you prepare to list your property.
Always Remove Your Pets if Possible
While you may love your pets and consider them a valued member of the family, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks of having them present during a home showing. Even the most well-behaved pets may become agitated or aggressive when faced with unfamiliar faces and unfamiliar surroundings. If your pets are left alone during the showing, this can exacerbate the issue. Additionally, it's worth noting that some homeowners insurance policies may not provide coverage for dog bites, so it's worth taking extra precautions if you're concerned about this possibility.
If you want to make your home as appealing as possible to potential buyers, it might be a good idea to consider temporarily relocating your pets during showings. Not only could the presence of pets potentially agitate or frighten some individuals, but it's also worth considering that some potential buyers may have allergies to animals. Creating a pet-free environment during showings can help ensure that all interested parties feel welcome and comfortable as they tour your home. This, in turn, can increase the chances of a successful sale.
What If You Can't Remove the Pet?
If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to make arrangements for your pets to be elsewhere during a home showing, there are a few steps you can take to ensure the safety and well-being of both your pets and visitors.
One option is to keep your pets in a cage or kennel and leave a clear note instructing visitors not to disturb them. Alternatively, you could leave a cage or kennel with your agent, along with some treats, in case they need to temporarily contain your pets during the showing. It's important to remember that it is never a good idea to try to hide your pets, as potential buyers may want to see every part of your home, including storage and laundry areas.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Pets.png" width="750" height="200" alt="How to Sell a Home with Pets" title="How to Sell a Home with Pets" />
Recommendations for Selling a Pet-Friendly Home
In addition to preparing for showings, you can do a few other things to make your home more appealing to potential buyers when you have pets. Some tips to consider include the following:
Remove Evidence of Pets
To create the impression that your home is free of pets for potential buyers, it's important to take a thorough and comprehensive approach to staging. Simply hiding your pet's belongings in a closet or other out-of-sight location may not be enough, as buyers are likely to look everywhere during a tour. To truly create a pet-free atmosphere, it may be necessary to pack and remove all pet-related items, including:
Toys
Pet Dishes and Food
Kennels, Crates, and Pet Beds
Leashes
Cat scratching posts and houses
Photos of your pets
It may be wise to consider replacing a pet door when preparing a home for sale. While convenient for pets, a pet door may not be appealing to potential buyers who do not own pets or who have security concerns. Consider more discreet options that blend in with the home's design to maintain the aesthetic appeal and attract a wider range of buyers.
Repair Damage Caused by Pets
As a homeowner, it's easy to become accustomed to the small imperfections and damages caused by your pets over time. However, it's important to keep in mind that potential buyers will view your home with a critical eye and may be more likely to notice these blemishes. To ensure that your home presents itself in the best possible light, it may be a good idea to address any damages caused by your pets before listing. Some repairs to consider could include the following:
Inside Your Home
Ripped or tattered curtains
Soiled or damaged carpets
Damage from chewing or scratching on walls, window sills, doors, and baseboards
Worn or damaged furniture, including scratches, tears, or stains
Scuff marks or scratches on the flooring
Outside Your Home
Torn or damaged window screens
Accumulated pet waste, such as droppings or urine
Damage to fencing or gates
Overgrown or trampled grass or bushes
Visible signs of digging or other lawn damage
Pet-Free Marketing is a Must
Presenting your home in the best possible light when preparing for a showing or taking real estate photos is important. This means removing any evidence of pets and avoiding showcasing pet-related damages. Remember that these photos will be used in a variety of marketing materials, such as your MLS listing or on websites like Zillow, so it's essential to present your home in a clean and well-maintained state.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Pets_1.png" width="750" height="200" alt="How to Sell a Home with Pets" title="How to Sell a Home with Pets" />
Deodorize and Deep Clean Your House
When it comes to selling a pet-friendly home, it's important to go the extra mile to ensure that the property is thoroughly cleaned and deodorized. This is because, even if you love your pets and consider them a vital part of your family, potential buyers may not share your sentiment. To make a good impression and increase the appeal of your home to a wide range of buyers, consider giving the property a deep clean and deodorization.
This may involve vacuuming and washing all surfaces and floors and paying extra attention to areas where your pets spend the most time. To truly eliminate any lingering pet odors, you may also want to consider using specialized deodorizing products or hiring a professional cleaning service.
Don't Market Your Home as Pet Friendly
Avoid advertising your home as pet-friendly, except for permanent structures that cannot be removed. While certain pet-friendly features may appeal to pet owners, they may not be relevant or desirable to all buyers. Focus on the overall features and amenities of the property.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, selling a home with pets can be a bit more challenging than selling a pet-free home, but with the right approach, it is possible to successfully market your property while ensuring the safety and well-being of your furry friends. Careful preparation and planning are key to minimizing potential distractions or issues and presenting your home in the best possible light to potential buyers. By following the tips and guidance outlined in this article, you can effectively market your home while keeping your pets safe and secure and increasing the chances of a successful sale.
At the Chad Wilson Group in the Greater St. Louis Metro Area, we understand that your pets are more than just animals - they are a crucial part of your family. That's why we are committed to supporting you and your furry friends during the process of <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/sellers/" title="Resources to Sell Your Home" target="_blank">selling your home</a>. From helping you prepare your home for showings to finding temporary accommodations for your pets and answering any questions you may have about how to effectively market your pet-friendly property, our team is here to assist. We believe that by taking the extra steps to prioritize the well-being of your pets, we can help make the sale of your home a seamless and stress-free experience for you and your loved ones. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your pets navigate the process of selling your home.2023-01-08T09:26:00-07:002024-02-09T11:08:31-07:00Jennifer Smithtag:thechadwilsongroup.com,2012-09-20:8842Ten Tips for Living in Your Home While Selling it<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/How%20to%20live%20in%20your%20home%20while%20trying%20to%20sell%20it.png" width="750" height="275" alt="How to live in your home while trying to sell it" title="How to live in your home while trying to sell it" />
One of the most common conversations we have with our clients who are listing their home for sale is how to continue living in their home while it is on the market. They have already dedicated much time, energy, and money to <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/-how-to-prepare-your-home-for-sale/" title="Home Seller To-Do Checklist" target="_blank">preparing their home for sale</a>, and when <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/what-to-expect-for-home-showings/" title="What to expect when showings are scheduled" target="_blank">showings are scheduled</a>, it is time to showcase this hard work. Yet, it can feel overwhelming to think about keeping your home “show-ready” 24/7, especially if you have children and pets. As unimaginable as it may seem to be able to navigate daily life and keep a pristine home, the fact is that once you put your home on the market, you are no longer living in your home, you are now selling your home, and that is really two different situations.
Here’s one of the funniest stories one of our home sellers shared about their time on the market. This home seller owned a professional home cleaning company, so she was in control when it came to keeping a squeaky clean abode. With just a few minutes notice, she could be out the door to allow a showing, and her home was always in excellent condition. She had mastered every trick and tip our team suggested.
As she did a quick sweep around the house, making sure all of the lights were turned on and window blinds were open, she picked up the items she needed to take with her and called the dogs to jump into the van so they could leave before the buyers arrived. After about an hour, she returned home to find that one of the dogs had removed underwear from the clothes hamper she had tucked into the walk-in closet, and had left it lying right in the middle of the owner’s bedroom floor. So the agent and buyers had to step around her underwear for their showing! She was mortified and asked us to apologize to the buyer. The good news...that buyer made a great offer on the home that was accepted, so all’s well that ends well!
We had a home seller who actually moved their entire family...husband, wife, multiple children and multiple pets, to an apartment BEFORE listing their home. They were going to be apartment-dwellers for months anyway while their new home was being built, and the idea of adding a month or two to that timeframe was more appealing to them than trying to maintain a clean home amidst life’s chaos.
For those who can’t vacate their for-sale home and stage it like a builder’s display, we have some great suggestions to make the process a little easier. First, we’ve compiled a quick checklist to remind you of key tasks to complete before each showing to provide the best possible first impression to the buyers.
<a href="https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:97dfac0c-9454-423f-9c3e-f139eacfdd62" title="Download Checklist for Day of Showing" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Checklist_for_Day_of_Showing-graphic.png" width="444" height="118" alt="Download Checklist for Day of Showing" title="Download Checklist for Day of Showing" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>
Next, we’ve organized the following 10 tips to help you balance living in the home while being ready for showing your home. Some of this advice came from our own clients who have recently been down this road themselves.<a href="https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:97dfac0c-9454-423f-9c3e-f139eacfdd62" title="Download Checklist for Day of Showing" target="_blank"></a>
1. Less is More
Sorting through all of your possessions and donating, pitching, or storing as much as possible is extremely helpful. The less you have in your home, the easier it is to keep it tidy. Try to keep only the items you will need to live for the two or three months until you move and pack the rest.
If you are listing in May, pack up the fall and winter clothes, shoes, coats, sleds, holiday decorations etc. You won’t need them, so put them in storage. Help your kids pack up most of their toys and books and keep only a few things to tide them over until after the move. When they unpack in their new home, the toys and books will feel brand new and exciting again!
The same goes for your kitchen. Downsize your pantry and kitchen cabinet items to just the essentials. You probably won’t cook as much while your home is on the market so that it is easier to keep it clean, and you will wash your dishes more often to keep the kitchen tidy, so packing up non-essential glasses, dishes, utensils, pots, and pans will leave buyers with the impression that storage is plentiful in your home. It also makes moving much easier on you, since you will have so much of the packing already done. Stay away from bulk shopping at Sam’s Club or Costco for now.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Storage%20Boxes.png" width="252" height="145" alt="Storage Boxes" title="Declutter Your Home for Sale" style="float: right;" />
Dawna Currigan, one of our former home sellers, admitted, “Prior to listing, I packed up and cleared out as much stuff as I could. We stored the stuff in a barn on our new property, and I haven’t touched it again in 4 years!” Dawna said when she does start going through those boxes, she plans to sell or donate most of what she stored, as she realized if she hasn’t needed it in 4 years, it probably wasn’t very important in the first place. Good for you, Dawna!
2. Deep Clean
While it might not be the most enjoyable part of selling your home, deep cleaning can be the most cost effective way to increase your profit. After you have decluttered and minimized your home, you can more easily access all of the nooks and crannies so that your house sparkles! If cleaning isn’t your strength, hire a professional cleaning company to do a thorough job, including windows, baseboards, light switches, and air vents. Our team can recommend house cleaners to help.
If you have carpet and it isn’t new, have it professionally cleaned to remove dirt and odors. Consider having someone professionally clean your grout on tile floors.
After everything is fresh and clean and clutter is minimized, maintaining it on a daily basis is so much easier! For the days and weeks it is on the market, you can just spot clean where needed.
A tip from Lisa Suemnicht, one of our recent Wentzville home sellers, “Have a delegated schedule for cleaning tasks every morning and each person has designated tasks they are responsible for.”
3. Managing Pets<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/cat-dog-together-isolated-white-background.png" width="321" height="214" alt="Managing Pets During a Home Sale" title="Managing Pets During a Home Sale" style="float: right;" />
Whenever possible, taking pets with you during showings is the best plan. That includes their beds, food, water bowls, toys, litter boxes, and anything else they might use. While the majority of buyers are animal lovers, especially today’s millennial and Gen X buyers, some buyers are turned off by the idea of pets living in the home.
Consider keeping a big laundry basket or plastic box in the garage to store all of the pet supplies. When you are ready to leave for a showing, add whatever is loose in the house and put it all in the trunk of your car until you return.
<a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/agents/jennifersmith/" title="Meet Jen Smith" target="_blank">Jen Smith</a>, our team's Director of Operations, who also sold a home with The Chad Wilson Group a few years ago, recommended finding a good friend or relative to love on your pets while your home is in this showing period. “It will keep the house cleaner, create less stress for the pet, and minimize the struggle of taking them with you for every showing, which could be for a whole day, if you have one showing after another on a busy weekend.”
Don’t forget to keep the yard clean as well. Buyers and agents will be walking all over your property for a showing, and it makes a bad impression when they step on landmines left by your dog.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Home%20Seller%20Tip%201.png" width="750" height="200" alt="Home Seller Tip 1" title="Home Seller Tip 1" />
4. Don’t Keep All the Fun to Yourself
Everyone in the household should participate in the home sale process. It gives everyone a sense of ownership and responsibility for the outcome. When you are writing up the morning task list, assign each person their own tasks to complete before heading out for the day.
Children can learn to make their own beds each morning and pick up toys or personal items each night before going to sleep. Make it a game. Maybe print off the photo of their room that the professional photographer took and challenge them to make their room exactly match that photo every day.
One of our past home sellers had her children “camp out” in their rooms during the showing period of their sale. They were allowed to sleep in sleeping bags on the floor for a few days so they wouldn’t have to make their beds in the morning. They just rolled up the sleeping bags and stuck them under the beds each morning for a super quick clean.
Children can also help put away breakfast items and wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters.
Give everyone a tote bag or box to keep their “to go” items in and keep it by the garage door. When you are preparing to leave for a showing, they can make sure they have everything they need to keep themselves busy, hydrated and fed while away from home.
5. Cut Yourself Some Slack in the Kitchen
If you have ever wanted an excuse not to cook, having your home on the market is the perfect one! It’s ok to treat yourself to eating out more often at this time to keep messes to a minimum.
Buyers are not only attracted or detracted to your home by what they see, but also what they smell. After all of the decluttering and cleaning you have done, your home should have a very neutral, clean smell. Maintain that by avoiding cooking anything with a lingering smell, like fish, spicy foods, onions, broccoli, etc.
When you do eat at home, consider using paper plates and disposable utensils to ease the dishwashing burden. And remember to take out all the trash in the house before every showing.
6. Sanitized for your Protection
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Home%20Seller%20Tip%20Bathroom.png" width="750" height="310" alt="Home Seller Tip Bathroom" title="Home Seller Tip Bathroom" />
The ideal bathroom looks like it has never been used. To show off the freshly cleaned grout, tile, and fixtures, all personal items should be removed from the bathroom for showings. The easiest way to manage that is to buy everyone a shower caddy or small plastic box to keep their personal items in. That caddy can be brought in before showering and then get tucked away in a closet or cabinet right after, keeping the bathroom clutter free.
Purchase “staging towels”, preferably fluffy, white ones. Since these towels are just for show, everyone else should use their own towel for bathing and then put it in the washing machine.
<a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/agents/heatherweber/" title="Meet Heather Weber" target="_blank">Heather Weber</a>, Listing Manager for The Chad Wilson Group, offered advice she picked up from one of her clients. “Put a roll of paper towels in each bathroom to be used, not only for wiping down the vanity and mirror, but also for drying hands after washing them. Then you don’t need to worry about keeping usable towels in the bathroom.”
7. Protect your Privacy
It is a smart idea to pack up all prescription medications and take them with you when you leave. Think about any other small valuables you have in your home that could be easily stolen. Do you own any gold or other valuable jewelry? How about any credit cards that you leave in a drawer? Do you or your kids have money in a piggy bank or drawer? Blank check books? Guns? Pack those up as well and either put them in safe keeping until after you move or take them with you when you are away from home.
8. Just in Case
No matter how well you plan and prepare, unwelcome surprises are going to pop up while your home is on the market. Keep some spare emergency supplies, just in case.
For every showing, you will want to turn on all of the lights in the house...every lamp, appliance light, exterior light...all of them. Bulbs will burn out, so keep some extras on hand for easy replacement.
The same goes for batteries. More times than you would imagine, smoke detectors start chirping from low batteries while a home is on the market. That noise is really annoying and leads the buyer to wonder what other maintenance tasks have been ignored in the home. If you haven’t replaced all of those batteries in the last year, keep extra batteries on hand, just in case.
A common hiccup sellers encounter is an unexpected locked door at the garage entry to the house. Out of habit, an agent or buyer will lock that door after a showing. The seller returns home to find they are locked out.
Keep a key to that door, and also the front door, with you or hidden in the garage at all times to prevent issues.
9. Keeping Everyone Healthy
Leave a bottle of hand sanitizer at your front door for buyers and agents to use upon entering. The Chad Wilson Group provides shoe covers for all of our listings to minimize dirt coming into your home. Use disinfecting wipes after showings to wipe down high touch areas, like door knobs and cabinet pulls.
10. Find a Place to Hang Out
For some showings, you will only need to be away from home for an hour or two. Find a great place for everyone to enjoy, whether that’s relaxing at a coffee shop, the nearest public library, or in the parking lot with free wifi while reading or working, or playing at the park so restless legs can run off some steam.
Take the kids and pets for a nature walk. Our region is fortunate to have excellent parks with natural and paved trails to enjoy. If you are close to St. Charles County, you can find some of our favorite parks in the area <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/8-western-st-charles-county-parks-that-your-teens-will-love-to-explore/" title="Best Parks in St. Charles County" target="_blank">here.</a>
The first weekend on the market is typically the busiest, and some of our happiest sellers take a trip that weekend to get away from the busyness. Let our team handle things while your family takes a much needed break with out-of-town family or at a hotel. While you are away, the house stays show-ready at all times!
As Chad Wilson has said, “Our job is to sell your home before you begin to hate us”. Living in your home while it is on the market isn’t easy, so our team will use all our <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/sellers/" title="Sell With The Chad Wilson Group" target="_blank">skills and strategies</a> to sell it quickly and minimize the discomfort.
What's the craziest thing you did when you were selling your home while it was on the market? What tips might you have for overcoming the challenges of living in the home, keeping it clean, and navigating showings? We would love to hear from you all. Comment below with the tips and tricks that worked for you!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/We%20want%20to%20hear%20from%20you.png" width="2250" height="400" alt="We want to hear from you" title="We want to hear from you" />2021-02-02T10:24:00-07:002023-04-27T12:29:07-07:00Beth Carrtag:thechadwilsongroup.com,2012-09-20:8819What to Expect: A Home Seller’s Guide to Showings<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/What%20to%20expect%20during%20home%20showings.png" width="750" height="275" alt="What to expect during home showings" title="What to expect during home showings" />
Now that all of the hard work of <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/-how-to-prepare-your-home-for-sale/" title="Prepare Home For Sale Checklist" target="_blank">preparing your home for sale</a> is done, <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/why-stage-your-home/" title="Why staging and photography are so important" target="_blank">staging</a> and <a href="https://www.thechadwilsongroup.com/blog/10-ways-to-make-your-listing-photos-stand-out/" title="How to make your listing photos stand out" target="_blank">photography</a> is complete, and your listing is live, it is time to start showing your home to potential buyers. As a seller, you may have many questions about how showings work, especially if you have never sold a home, or haven’t done so in the last few years, as technology constantly changes the process. Let’s take a look at some of the common questions we get to help you understand what the showing process looks like with our team.
How are showings scheduled?
The Chad Wilson Group is proud to offer our clients <a href="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/static.showingtime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sellers-Guide-to-ShowingTime.pdf" title="Seller's Guide to ShowingTime" target="_blank">ShowingTime</a>, a showing management and feedback service provider available all day, everyday, to make the process of agents scheduling showings and our sellers approving showing appointments simple and efficient. An agent with an interested buyer will submit a showing request through Showingtime specifying the date and time window convenient for their buyers.
How will I be notified when a showing is requested?
When a buyer's agent requests a showing, it is then pushed out to the sellers through text, email, app push notification and/or telephone call (your choice as to which communication method is best for you!), for the seller to approve the showing or perhaps suggest an alternative time. Our sellers love the convenience of the Showingtime app, “<a href="http://marketing.showingtime.com/files/training/general/guide_to_my_home.pdf" title="ShowingTime MyHome App" target="_blank">MyHome</a>”, which sends push notifications of showing requests and feedback received, and also provides an activity report of upcoming and past showings to help our sellers stay organized.
If you prefer not to download the app, then you may choose to receive a phone call, email, or text message as the initial contact when a showing is requested. If you choose to sign up for Text2Approve, ShowingTime will send a text message to you about upcoming requests for showings. You simply reply back “Y” to confirm the showing. You can add up to three phone numbers in the order they should be contacted if you have multiple people managing the showings for your home. If you choose Text2Approve, ShowingTime will follow up with a phone call after a designated period of time if no response is received. It is that simple!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Text_2_approve.jpg" width="162" height="398" alt="ShowingTime Text2Approve" title="ShowingTime Text2Approve" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
We encourage our sellers to approve all showings. A missed showing is a missed opportunity, so while it may seem inconvenient, it is to your benefit to try to be as flexible as possible.
When are people able to see my home?
Ideally, sellers would make their home as readily available to buyers as possible. As a seller, you want every ready, willing, and able buyer to be able to see your home so you can secure the best offer for it. Before a listing goes live, our team will ask the sellers how much lead time they want before a showing occurs. Most of our sellers choose one- or two-hour advanced notice, so they have some time to make sure the house is ready for a showing (you should always keep your home as “show ready” as possible). There are circumstances where more lead time is required for a seller, and our team will work to accommodate that need. We encourage our sellers to make showing their home as easy as possible, so all interested buyers can find a time that works for them to view the home.
Can I block out certain times that buyers cannot see the home?
We are often asked about blocking time from showings. More people are working from home now, so it can be a challenge to maintain your work integrity and still allow buyers to see your home. Some families homeschool their children, so maintaining a quiet space without interruption is important during the school day, and some families have small children who need a consistent afternoon nap time and bedtime. How do you continue to manage your life and sell your home?
Our listing team will strategize with you to find a schedule that will work for everyone. Times can be blocked on individual days. Showings could potentially happen from 8AM to 9PM, 7 days a week, but if a family wants to stop showings at 7PM so bath time and bedtime routines can be followed, we will make that happen. Most buyers schedule time to see a home on the weekends or after work on weekdays, so blocking some time during the work day is acceptable.
Should I be home during showings?
We do ask that sellers not be home during showings. You want buyers to be able to see themselves and their families living in your home, and having you present, even if keeping to yourself, will make that difficult. You want buyers to feel comfortable walking around the home without added pressure from the owner being around.
Should I leave my pets home during showings?
As first impressions are so important, we whole-heartedly recommend that you minimize the evidence that a pet lives in the home. We know you love your pets, but having one around when buyers walk through the home can kill a potential sale. Even a dog kenneled in the garage or laundry room can make potential buyers uncomfortable as they walk through your home. Ideally, you should plan to bring your pets with you when you leave for a showing, or arrange for them to stay with a friend or family member while your home is on the market.
Who will be showing my home?
Buyers visiting your home will be accompanied by their real estate agent. Agents request showings through ShowingTime for your approval. If a buyer would like to see your home and they do not have an agent, they can contact our team, and we will send one of our own Buyer Specialists out with them to the showing. We can assure you, no buyers will be able to walk through your home unaccompanied, except for the open house, which is a different situation.
How is my home’s key secured?
In the greater St. Louis area, we are proud to offer SUPRA lockboxes to secure our seller’s home key while the home is listed for sale. A SUPRA electronic key box gives our sellers peace of mind knowing that the electronic box can only be opened by authorized eKEY holders during restricted showing hours. Also, each time the box is opened, our team is provided details as to who opened the box and at what time. It is impossible to open our SUPRA boxes before 7:00 AM and after 11:00 PM, giving sellers peace of mind for their privacy and security while they sleep.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Helpful_Hint_Keep_A_Key_on_Hand.png" width="750" height="200" alt="Helpful Hint" title="Helpful Hint" />
How long do showings last?
Although time will vary, you can expect an interested buyer to spend around 30 minutes to 1 hour in an average-sized home (2500 sq ft or less). You should plan on being away for at least this amount of time.
It is important to note that you will not be notified when an agent and their buyer have left your home. Some people ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for their home to let them know when everyone has left and it is safe to return.
Besides cleaning, is there anything else I should do to prepare for showings?
It is important that during the entire time that your home is listed, you secure your valuables, guns, and prescription drugs. You also want to try to make each room in your home look as much like the professional photos we took of that room as possible. Use those photos as your guide.
In addition, pay close attention to the smell of your home, in general. The best home smell is a neutral one. Our listing team can tell you if your home has a smell that needs to be addressed. If you choose to use something to add a scent to your home, keep it light, fresh, and very subtle. Some buyers can have a reaction to strong perfumes or odors, and you don’t want to turn someone off by having their allergies triggered when viewing your home. A vanilla scent is usually a safe choice. Avoid cooking anything with a strong odor while your home is being shown. Run bathroom fans while bathing and showering to keep humidity levels down. Consider opening windows when the temperatures allow to infuse fresh air into your home, and keep ceiling fans running on low for showings to keep air from getting stale.
What happens after each showing?
Showingtime helps us gather feedback about your showing. As soon as the showing ends, Showingtime automatically sends a request for feedback to the buyer agent. As soon as they provide the feedback, it is automatically forwarded to you and our listing department through email. This feedback can be helpful in directing future showings or address any changes that might make your home more likely to sell.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Our team has worked with hundreds of sellers and have compiled some tips and tricks that we find helpful for sellers to know when it comes to showing their home for sale.
Consider writing a letter to your buyers that they can read while viewing your home. Our listing team can provide you with some samples written by our past clients to help you get started. Our team will be writing about the wonderful features of your home, but since we have never lived in your home, we don’t know what it has been like for your family to live there. What do you love about your neighborhood? What are your favorite nearby local spots? What do you love about the schools? What are some of your favorite memories from living in your home? Write from your emotions and it will touch the emotions of your buyer. You want them to be able to visualize what their life might be living there as well.
Include your neighbors in your home sale. Your neighbors want you to get the best possible price for your home, as that reflects positively on their property as well. Besides the fact that they might know someone who might be interested in buying it, your neighbors should be aware when showings start and when open houses are scheduled so they can consider avoiding mowing the lawn, hosting a big party, or anything else that might detract from a buyer’s experience. They might also be motivated to make sure the exterior of their home is in great condition. If you are uncomfortable approaching your neighbors, our listing team is glad to do that for you.
Besides turning on all of the lights and opening blinds, playing some soft music makes for a warm and inviting entry for a buyer. Easy listening, soft jazz, or adult contemporary music is universally appealing.
If you have cats, make sure to keep litter boxes out of sight and impeccably clean. Nothing turns off buyers faster than opening the door to the laundry room and being greeted by a stinky cat box. You should also clean up any doggy evidence in the backyard. Before you list your home, hire professionals to remove the carpet and floor pet stains and stay on top of any new ones that arise. Buyers will spot them and form unfavorable opinions about the rest of the house. For pet odors and smells, try enzyme cleaners such as Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle. Before every showing, put away food and water bowls and pick up all pet toys and cages. You should vacuum, sweep, and mop every single day to reduce pet hair and odors as well.
Using the checklist below can be a very helpful way to prepare for every showing. Going through and completing each of the items will help you make the best impression you can on buyers who come through.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1688/image/Blog/Home_Selling_Series/Checklist_for_Day_of_Showing.png" width="1545" height="2000" alt="Day of Showing Checklist" title="Day of Showing Checklist" />
Trying to navigate the stress of preparing and showing a home for sale can be difficult. Our team of experienced real estate professionals has worked with hundreds of sellers throughout the years. We have refined the showing process and constantly look for the best ways to make good impressions. The Chad Wilson Group is here to help guide you through the process of selling your home so you can rest assured knowing that you are doing everything you can to get the most of your home sale. If you are thinking about selling your home, we would love to talk to you about how we can help. Feel free to fill out the information below and a member of our team will reach out to you to answer any questions you may have.2021-01-29T09:43:00-07:002021-05-11T14:12:53-07:00Beth Carr