What do you do when preparing for showings? Buyers are looking for a house that could easily be their home. And there are lots of simple ways that you can help them envision loving the idea of your house being “the one.” Beyond updates that you can do to improve the value of your home, here are some not-your-average tips when preparing for showings.
Tip 1 – Cleaning is different when you’re selling.
Try to look at your house as a blank canvas. You want the buyer to be able to paint their lifestyle and family in each room. When you’re preparing for showings, try removing family pictures, more personal touches, or more statement decorations. Simplify your style, so they don’t see it as your house that they’re entering – and instead see a space they’d love to live in.
Tip 2 – Smell it out.
We get immune to smells we’ve been around for a long time – but it’s important to be aware of them. So when you have a showing coming, being aware of things like cooking smells, pet smells, etc. Avoid things like sautéing garlic, and make it a point to keep Fido’s dog bed in the garage. Light some candles for a while before you leave, but stick to light and fresh scents, not musky or overly sweet ones. Overall, you don’t want there to be any strong smells that could change the way a buyer feels about your home.
Tip 3 – Lighting is key.
When you’re preparing for showings, you don’t have to remodel the whole house to make it impressive. Sometimes it’s as simple as adding a little more light, whether it’s switching out dark curtains for something lighter, or buying some more fixtures. The right amount of light gives the appearance that the space is larger, more airy, and clean. Avoid energy efficient bulbs that take a while to light up. Think about adding some external lights to show off your well-tended yard. They’re small changes, but they make a huge impression.
Tip 4 – This is your best motivator to declutter.
One of the biggest turn-offs for buyers is clutter, in whatever form it comes. Buy covered trash cans and laundry baskets so they look neat. Make sure your normal “drop spot” is cleaned up, and no papers, purses, or random information is lying on your dresser.
Preparing for showings doesn’t have to be crazy. Hopefully this helps you think like a buyer and makes prep easy! And if you’re looking for a faith-based and family-oriented lender, give us a call. We’d love to help.
Much love,
Audrey
The Christian Mortgage Mom
