The Essential Do’s and Don’ts When Showing Your Home to Potential Buyers

After enlisting the help of an expert Edmonton REALTOR®, it’s time to get your home ready for potential buyers. Our essential home-showing list of do’s and don’ts will tell you everything you need to know.

Don’t: Put Off the Inspection 

Be sure to have an inspection before putting your home on the market. Not only will this give you the opportunity to fix any noticeable issues (i.e. damaged siding or leaky plumbing), but it will allow you to maintain (or boost) your home’s value at sale time.

Do: Sale-Friendly Renovations 

Depending on the condition of your home, a few changes can go a long way – and they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. A simple coat of paint and a few minor upgrades can make all the difference in selling your home fast and for top dollar.

*See our previous post, 6 Renovations to Make Before Selling for more information 

Don’t: Make Mistakes on MLS 

With so many homes available on Edmonton MLS, it’s essential to come up with a great listing. Non (or overly) descriptive copy, bad photos, poor word choice and spelling errors may result in your home being overlooked.

Do: Market Your Home 

Of course, listing your home is an essential step toward selling – but it shouldn’t be your only step. Online advertising, printed material, great photos and open houses are just a few of many marketing tactics you can use to make your home stand out (don’t worry, a good Edmonton REALTOR® will help you with this).

Don’t: Turn Away Viewers 

The key to selling your home quickly is to be adaptable – especially during evenings and weekends when you’re likely to have the most viewings. Be as accommodating as possible so you don’t limit your opportunity for a potential sale.

Do: Have Open Houses 

As we mentioned above, open houses are a great way to both market and increase your chance for a sale. Here again, your REALTOR® will be the ultimate resource in terms of getting the word out and drawing in buyers.

Don’t: Give Away the Farm

Oversharing during a viewing can hurt the sale of your home. Information regarding your timeline to sell, recent offers, comparable sale prices in the area and length of time on the market can encourage low-balling. For this reason, it’s best to defer buyer questions to your agent.

Do: Make a Cheat Sheet

With the help of your REALTOR®, prepare a fact sheet that buyers can peruse as they tour your home – including photos, basic features (beds, baths, square footage etc.), monthly mortgage payments and nearby amenity information. Not only will this answer many of their questions ahead of time, but it will also give them something to hold on to when they leave.

Don’t: Skip the Staging 

Staging creates a welcoming environment and ultimately improves your chances for a great sale. This doesn’t mean you need to hire an expert home stager, either (your agent will be able to help you, either way). Simple adjustments such as de-personalizing (removing personal items, family photos etc.), warm lighting and a few fresh floral arrangements can make all the difference.

See Sell Your Edmonton Home Faster with These Easy (and affordable!) Home Staging Tips

Do: Clean Before Each Showing 

Nothing turns buyers off faster than dirt and/or disorganization. In addition to regularly cleaning your home, be sure to do the following before each showing:

• Quick sweep or vacuum
• Clean sink and appliances
• Clean kitchen counters
• Empty garbages
• Ensure beds are made
• Organize the bathroom (clean the countertops, ensure towels are hung up etc.)
• Remove pets (if possible)

Are you thinking about selling your Edmonton home? Visit our Seller’s Resources page or take advantage of our Seller’s Guide for more information.

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Categorised in: Selling a Home

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group