How Not To Sell Your Home

Shove all of these papers in a drawer when a showing is expected

When your home is on the market you find yourself in the unique position of living in a showroom.  You probably did a lot of work to get your home into showing condition. Don’t blow once the house is listed.

Here’s what not to do when you’re on the market…

Leave clutter around. You de-cluttered for the photos but that was weeks ago.  It’s amazing how quickly new clutter can pile up, especially when you have kids. Hide the papers, knick knacks, fridge magnets and toys before showings.  Even if the buyer has interrupted your work at home, tidy up your desk before you leave. I’ve had sellers take their dirty laundry baskets with them when they leave for showings. Not a bad idea.

Forget to clean. Keep you house as clean as possible and when you know showings are coming make sure its extra clean. Dirt, dust, mildew, smudge prints and dog hair have no place in a show home. Stash cleaning wipes and magic erasers under sinks. Make it a habit to wipe down mirrors when toothpaste splatters. Don’t leave personal products on the vanity. Run the vacuum, especially in bathrooms and non-carpeted areas.

Don’t make repairs. You know what’s wrong with your house. As homeowners we sometimes forget or get used to living with minor disrepair. The faucet that drips…. if you give it a jiggle it will stop. Or the gas fireplace that never worked. Well it was like that when you moved in right?  Wrong. The buyers may not notice but the home inspector will and even small repairs can be blown out of proportion by nervous buyers and it can cost you the sale.

Stick around for showings. House hunting is a personal experience which is why we schedule private showings. Nobody wants to look at a house while the homeowner is hovering.  Not only is it awkward but it makes the buyers want to leave. It makes the Buyer’s Agent want to leave too. And that’s never good.

I’ve shown houses where the sellers are laying on the couch, eating and watching TV with their children—-having family time.  As lovely as it might be this makes buyers feel intrusive and uncomfortable. That’s not  the right mind-set for making a good offer.

If you have only a ten minute heads-up before the showing do yourself the favor and leave the house. If your only option is to sit in your car during the showing, by all means do it but make sure you park where the buyer can’t see you. You don’t want to look like a stalker.

Sit on the neighbor’s porch during the open house. Don’t sit on the neighbor’s porch and count the open house traffic. This will only make you crazy. You’re better off going to a relaxing and a matinee. Let your Realtor do their job. They will update you on the open house traffic later.