Do you really have to do these things for home showings...168

#homeseller #realestate #realestateagent

Deerwood Realty and Friends Podcast

I often read articles that say you should remove this, or get rid of that…but I’ve been through a lot of houses at this point and I don’t always agree. Here are some things I’ve heard over the years and we’ll just go over whether or not they make sense.

Subscribe Here https://www.youtube.com/c/Deerwoodrealtystl

Thoughts/questions:

1. Cleaning Supplies?….So the idea here is that you shouldn’t have a bunch of cleaning supplies laying around your house because it makes it seem like it’s dirty.

2. Family Photos? I’m not so sure I care whether or not you have family photos up in the house.

3. Political Pictures or Photos? This one is tricky. 20 years ago, this wasn’t an issue. We didn’t virtue signal politics..at least I don’t remember being like it is now. Kinda seem hyper partisan as well now.

4. College Diploma I don’t think it matters if you have a college diploma up at your house.

5. Kids stuff I don’t agree with this one either. I know many couples who just swoon over a kids room when it has all the toys out.

6. Pets I like pets..I don’t particularly like pet smells. I also don’t want to wrangle cats…and those things are sneaky!

7. Meds Hide your meds. No question. If you are showing your house and you are still living in it, take your meds with you when you leave.

8. Stuffed animals…like deer heads So, I don’t agree that a stuffed animal is necessarily an issue.

9. Fan/space heater/dehumidifier? The thought it that if you have a fan out or a space heater out you are signaling to the buyer that the house has hot and cold spots.

10. You should keep things clean The cleaner you can keep your house…the better….pay special attention to the following
a. empty trash cans-ever go to a hotel, and the trash cans are full? You know you aren’t in a good situation. It’s the same with houses.
b. no visible dirty laundry-Yes, indeed. Put your laundry in a hamper or something…don’t leave it laying around.
c. no dirty dishes in sink-You’d think this would be obvious? It must not be because I’ve seen it.
d. pet toys in a container-I like pets…I’ve said it before in this episode…but the house looks so much better if you have all your pets toys in a container.
e. Clean litter boxes You haven’t lived until you go to an old lady’s house for a showing on a hot summer day with the air conditioner off and her 4 cats using the litter box for well past the point where smells are minimal. One of the joys of showing houses I guess.
f. beds made This is one of those things that seems rather obvious, but it’s not..I guess. Make the bed before you leave your house if you suspect you will have showings.
g. toilet seats and lids down- And, might I offer another? Please, please, flush the toilet and check before you leave the house. Yes, I’ve gotten to show houses where the owners have left us presents in the bathroom and it’s not exactly helpful in “setting the buying mood”
h. bathroom stuff put away - You may brush your teeth and that’s totally normal. If you can though, put all that kind of stuff away and off the vanity. It will make it look bigger and also cleaner.
i. vacuum carpets ¬¬¬ - Yes! When you show a house and there are all the lines still in the carpet…even though it is carpet, it’s still better than when it isn’t done.

12. Fresh flowers? – If you want extra points…if you want buyers to be impressed…fresh cut flowers in the house are a wonderful addition, I agree.

13. Packed Boxes Agents say that you shouldn’t have packed boxes out
because it gives off the impression that you are desperate to sell the property.

15. Anything that takes up space on your kitchen counters I agree with this one.
16. Religious décor or materials I don’t necessarily agree that you should pull all of your religious décor or materials.

17. Air fresheners - The over use of air fresheners should be a crime! Seriously, I know immediately when I go to a house and the sellers are trying to hide a smell.

18. Political signs Similar to political pictures or photos, the traditional thought had always been to avoid.

If you keep your house clean. If you make an effort, buyers are going to recognize this. I think most people are benefit of the doubt type people. I’ve seen many houses that have things about them that the seller could have done a better job of and it really doesn’t hurt the sale of the home.

Generally, if you can remove clutter, if you can make it so buyers can easily walk from room to room and get an idea for the spaces, you should be fine.

Sources:

Contact me at media@deerwoodrealtystl.com

Check us out at https://www.deerwoodrealtystl.com/