When you show your home, you want to engage the buyer emotionally because the decision to buy is based more on emotions – and less on logic. Give the buyer permission to say, “Yes, I want to buy this home” by accentuating your home’s positive attributes, and do not draw any attention to the negative aspects.
1) The Welcome
Although the buyer is a guest in your home, you want the buyer to imagine owning the home. You don’t want to make the buyer feel like an intruder.
Don’t expect the buyer to remove her shoes, unless you are selling to a buyer for whom religious or cultural reasons mandate it. Otherwise, the presumption is insulting.
Leave the house. The buyer won’t talk about the house in front of you or open doors with you standing there.
Leave a bowl of wrapped candy or other treats near the front door with a small note thanking the buyer for coming to see your home.
2) Check the Temperature
Now is not the time to worry about your utility bill. If it’s cold enough to wear a sweater to stay warm, turn on the heat.
If it’s warm outside, turn on the air conditioning. It’s better to heat or cool the house a degree or two warmer/colder than usual and then set the temperature at normal. This prevents the heat or A/C from kicking on when the buyer is present because some HVAC systems are loud.
You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on hot or cold days.
3) Create a Mood
Light a candle or fire in the fireplace.
Make it romantic by placing two champagne glasses on a nearby table.
Turn on soft music. I used to play Enya until one day I heard it piped in at a mortuary.
If you have water fountains, turn them on. They are especially useful for drowning out traffic noise.
4) Play Down the Scent
Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers, so don’t spray the air or plug-in air fresheners.
Don’t burn candles or spray perfume in the bedroom for the same reason.
If weather permits, open the windows. If there is too much noise outside, close them.
If you’re going to bake cookies or simmer spices such as cinnamon in water on the stove, put out munchies so buyers aren’t disappointed. More than one buyer has said, “Oh, darn, I thought there were cookies in here.”
5) Play Up the Visual
If you have seasonal photographs showcasing flower gardens, leaves bursting in color or a snow-covered lawn twinkling from street lights, then display them in a prominent position.
Open all the window coverings to let in light.
Keep blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.
6) Light up the House
Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights.
Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spot lights on the floor behind furniture.
Turn off TV.
7) Encourage Touching & Staging
Drape sensuous fabrics such as velvet or silk throws over chair arms.
Leave doors slightly ajar.
If you have carpeting, vacuum in one direction.
De-clutter and place personal items in storage.
8) Provide Thoughtful Cards
Attach printed cards to items and in rooms that provide further information the buyer might miss or might not know. You have so little time to make an impression.
If you have an antique chandelier in your dining room, put a card on it that discloses its age and other important details.
9) Top It Off With Snacks
The best way to entice buyers to linger and notice even more details about your home is to offer them food. You don’t need to cater a lunch, but finger sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, water and desserts all are welcome.
Set out serving utensils, if needed.
Provide plates, cups and napkins. They can be paper products.
In plain sight, provide a waste receptacle.
10) List Your Home with Crystal Medina, On The Market Properties at Keller Williams at (361)774-6788.
