Showing Tips - Best Practices for Showing Your Home While it is For Sale

Showing The Home:

Whenever possible leave your home during showings, if not, follow the tips below.

1. Three's a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
2. Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the your agent and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
3. Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way--preferably out of the house.
4. Silence is golden. Be courteous but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house--not to pay a social call.
5. Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained agent answer any objections. This is his/her job.
6. Remain in the background. The agent knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed. Allow the buyers to take "psychological possession."
7. Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before he has purchased the house often loses a sale.
8. A word to the wise. Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer. They are eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.