Here are some tips for maintaining that tricky balance between the perfect show house and one you actually live in.
Keep the house ready at all times.
Well, try to.
In reality, you’re probably not going to be able to keep your house showroom-worthy for weeks or months at a time. The key, though, is to be constantly making the attempt. That way, when the call comes and you need to get ready for a showing, you can whip the place into shape quickly.
This is a perfect situation to take a page out of the home staging manual. Box up your family pictures and personal collections in anticipation of your move, and clear all your flat surfaces and as much as your storage space as you can spare. If you need to rent a storage unit in the meantime, then go for it. The less clutter you have in your house, the better it will look to buyers and the easier it will be for you to keep neat.
Ask for as much notice as possible
No realtor will try to show your house without first calling you, but when they call is what you should worry about. Realtors’ practices vary, and you may end up with ten hours’ notice or ten minutes’.
The solution? Ask for notice at least a few hours in advance.
If that’s not enough control for you, you can also turn away showings when your house isn’t ready, or limit showings to certain parts of the day. Keep in mind, though, that “limit” is the operative word here. The harder it is for potential buyers to see your house, the fewer opportunities you’ll have for for a serious offer.
Always leave during a showing if you can—and have a plan
Generally speaking, it’s best to leave the house when you have a showing. No potential buyer wants to be reminded that the house belongs to a stranger, or feel watched as they make their decisions. Plus, you probably don’t need to see someone judging your backsplash.
The actual leaving can be a hassle, though, especially if you work at home or have an already-tight schedule to juggle. The trick is to find a quiet place where you can get work done, like a library or coffee shop, or put off doing your errands until a showing forces you out. That way, showings can still be productive.
Be smart about your privacy
You may be used to leaving personal documents and valuables scattered around your house (no judgment), but that’s probably not smart if you’re welcoming strangers into you house with only an equally strange realtor for a chaperon.
If you’ve done a good job staging your house, you may find that potential buyers feel comfortable enough to poke through your closets and cabinets. Even if you haven’t, some people are just nosey. A good rule of thumb? If you don’t want it seen or potentially taken, best to tuck it away somewhere safe.
source: totalmortgage.com
