Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Tips For The Best Home Showings

Tips For The Best Home Showings

Home routines tend to come to a standstill while your home is on the market. The need to keep the house clean  - and not scare potential home buyers away - means that kids can't throw their school books on the dining room table, Dad has to pick up his stinky socks, and even the pets need to toe the line.
Keeping the house clean is a good first step toward presenting the home in the best light. But it isn't the only step.

1. Odors

Have you ever walked into a home and been immediately assaulted by nasty odors? Cigarettes, grease, cooking odors, diapers and pets all leave their mark on the way a home smells. While it's almost impossible to rid the home of cigarette smoke without painting, there are ways to get rid of other odors.
Have the carpets professionally cleaned and deodorized.
Launder or dry-clean all curtains and drapes.
Consider having your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned.
Clean the grease from the range hood.
Keep the dog bathed and groomed to keep doggy smells at bay.
Place dishes of potpourri or scented candles in random areas throughout the home.

2. Sights

Light and bright are the operative words when considering the ideal way to present your home to buyers.
Change light bulbs in the home to higher wattage bulbs. Leave the lights on for showings, including closet lights.
Paint the walls. If you can't paint, clean the walls.
Remove heavy drapes and replace them with lightweight fabric that allows natural light into the home.
Don't neglect the outside of the house. Before a showing, make sure that the planting beds look clean and attractive and that the lawn is mowed.

3. Set the Scene

If you've ever toured model homes, you are familiar with the concept of staging – the art of carefully crafting interiors that appeal to home buyers. If you're on a tight budget and can't afford a professional designer, make some simple changes that appeal to buyers.
Set the dining room table with attractive dinnerware or create a cozy nook in the bedroom with a small table and chairs. Group items in threes, use different heights, and keep it simple.
Fresh flowers add so much to a home, from masking odors to adding pops of color and texture. Add a gorgeous bouquet on the dining room table. Night stands are ideal places to set small vases of flowers.
Bathrooms are important, so pay close attention to how you stage yours. Get rid of the counter top clutter and add fluffy towels and a new shower curtain.

4. Security

Since sellers should make themselves scarce when the home is being shown, it's important to take security measures. Lock up or remove valuables, prescription drugs and money.
Don't leave personal items - especially paperwork with your financial information - lying around in plain sight.

Whatever you can do to make your home appear move-in ready will appeal to buyers. Tour some new home communities for more ideas and inspiration so that your home shows like a model.

Visit our web site www.thyssengroup.com for more insight into understanding buyers and what attracts.

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Office 519-438-8000
Cell  519-495-1541
email rthyssen@rogers.com
www.thyssengroup.com

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