There’s a right way to show a home…and a wrong way. Many homeowners lose money, or turn-off buyers because 
they simply didn’t know how to handle a home showing. Here are 8 tips that will help you show your home for maximum profit:
1. Save those receipts. If you completed any substantial work on your home, save the receipts and ONLY take them out if someone questions the value of the work performed (in the negotiating process). Many times extra work will increase the value of your home beyond your costs. So only use the receipts if you need support to justify the work.
2. Keep records of the utility bills to back up your disclosure statements about the monthly utility costs. This helps improve credibility with the buyer and may make the difference in key questions that buyers may have. The types of utility bills to save are including but not limited to water, sewer, trash pickup, heating fuel, electric and gas or propane.
3. Leave the property during showings. The buyer cannot focus with too many people around. They have to be able to visualize them self living in the property without somebody constantly mentioning every feature and benefit about the property. A buyer will not feel comfortable thoroughly investigating the property if they feel “eyes on their back” from the seller watching them.
4. Turn on ALL lights during showings. Illumination is like a welcome sign. Even in the middle of a sunny day.
5. Open all drapery and bring in as much natural light as possible. Buyers hate dark homes. Anything you can do to brighten your home will help.
6. Turn off any radios and TV’s. Turn off the football game. Tell the kids that the loud music will need a reprieve while the home is being shown. Occasionally very soft, background music can enhance a showing. But generally no music at all is your best bet.
7. Plan a pleasant aroma. Cinnamon sticks or vanilla boiled in a pot of water on the stove emit pleasant aromas and make a home smell inviting. Apple and cherry wood smoldering an a fireplace do the same. And who can resist the smell of apple pie or fresh bread baking in the kitchen. Often, these pleasant smells can override other odors your home may have. Keep pets out of the home during showings. It’s best to keep them out of the home for an entire day before an open house. That way the “pet smell” has time to subside.
8. Last but not least, put away the many little decorative trinkets and multi-colored items that don’t match with the homes main 3 primary colors… the carpet, walls and main furniture color. Buyers will feel cluttered and not relax if they have a lot of different colors stimulating them, especially if they don’t accent or match.
~Chris
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