Your house should always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a very convenient place to make it easy for other agents to show your home to home buyers. Otherwise, agents must schedule appointments, which is an inconvenience. Most can just skip your home to show the house of somebody else who is more cooperative. Most agents will call and give you at least a number of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to allow them to show it at that time, they will simply skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your home.

Try Not to be Home

Home buyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they may not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit the local coffee house, yogurt shop, or take the kids to the local park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of the way area of the house and do not move from room to room. Don’t volunteer any information, but answer any queries the agent might ask.

Lighting

When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights - even during the day. At night, a lit house offers a “homey” impression when viewed from the street. During daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house appears more homey and cheerful with the lights on.

Pet Control

If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your listing in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it’d be best to try to take the pets with you while the home buyers tour your home. If you can not do this, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect guests, and place a sign on the door. More often than not, an indoor cat will hide when buyers come to view your property, but they may panic and try to escape.

The Kitchen Trash

Especially if your kitchen trash can does not have a lid, make sure you empty it each time someone comes to look at your home - even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Keep in mind that you wish to send a positive image about each aspect of your home. Kitchen trash does not send a positive message. You may use up more plastic bags than usual, however it will be worth it.

Keep the House Tidy

Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, however when selling a home it’s suggested that you just develop the habit. Pick up papers, don’t leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home - a home with furniture but no one really lives there.

Another great article by Garrison Green Calgary This article, How To Prepare Your House For Sale is available for free reprint.

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