Date: June 16, 2014
The summer home sale season is hot… hot… HOT! With excited, motivated buyers out scouring the streets for their next home, it can be easy for a seller to be taken by surprise when it comes time for a quick showing. What is a seller to do when the house that they’re still living in is less than tidy and the clock is ticking down with only 30 minutes to spare until it needs to be ready to show? First off, don’t panic! There are a few tricks that sellers can do to quickly prepare for a surprise home showing. Here are some of our favorite down and dirty tips to successful home showings:
1. Hurry to High-Traffic Areas
Don’t have time to deep clean the floors of your whole home before your next showing? Spot clean your most heavily-trafficked areas. Pay special attention to the entryway, kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Instead of scouring the floors, wipe down any very noticeable spots and move on to your next task.
2. Counter Clutter with an Easy Trick
If you’re kitchen countertops are covered with dinner’s leftovers, the daily mail or your children’s soccer fundraiser, don’t worry about properly filing those things away just yet. Place any extra dishes or cookware in the dishwasher (but, don’t start it) and conveniently stash the mail or fundraising items in the back of the pantry or a not-so-easily accessible cabinet. Complete the kitchen clean-up by wiping down your countertops and voila!
3. Deal with Dirty Laundry
In the same way that you quickly cleaned up your kitchen, erase the trace of any foul-smelling laundry with this perfect hiding place. Without taking the time to separate your delicates and your dark clothes, shove any laundry that’s laying around into your washer and/or dryer to hide it away from potential buyers. Again, don’t push start before your guests arrive and remember to take care of that dirty laundry when your showing is over.
4. Blind Buyers with the Light
Clean or not-so-clean, every home looks better when it is a little brighter! If you’re preparing for a showing and the clock is ticking down to 30 minutes or less, make sure that lighting up your home is on your short list of to-dos before your guests arrive. Do a sweep of each room to ensure that blinds are open and lights are on. If your house is on the not-as-clean side, maybe your potential buyers will be too busy noticing the awesome landscaping out the window to notice the dust bunnies under the bed.
5. Listen to Your Mama and Make the Bed!
If you’ve got 30 minutes to spare before a home showing, there are absolutely ZERO reasons why any of the beds in your home should be unkempt. In fact, we dare say that if you’re in the process of selling your home, there are zero reasons your beds should ever be unmade, unless you’re sleeping in them! Regardless, if you’re hurrying to tidy up your home, welcome buyers into each bedroom by allowing them to glance at beautiful bedspreads and not strewn-about sheets. If you’ve got a few extra minutes to spare, stash any personal knick-knacks and photos in your night stands, too.
Finally, as you’re preparing for a last-minute showing and your stress level is reaching new heights, take a moment out of that 30-minute, high-speed, vigorous cleaning routine and, simply, RELAX. Often times, we are most critical of ourselves. So, what you see as untidy may show perfectly fine. Turn your stress into excitement as every showing could mean that you are one step closer to selling your home!
I'm a seasoned real estate professional with extensive experience in the housing market, particularly in the dynamics of home selling and the art of presenting properties effectively. Over the years, I've successfully navigated the challenges that sellers face, including the need to prepare a home for sudden showings. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've been actively involved in real estate transactions, witnessing firsthand the impact of presentation on buyer perception and the speed of sales.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the article about preparing a home for a surprise showing:
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High-Traffic Areas: The article emphasizes the importance of quickly addressing high-traffic areas in the home. It suggests spot cleaning in key areas like the entryway, kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. This strategy allows for a quick refresh without the need for a comprehensive cleaning of the entire house.
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Counter Clutter: In the kitchen, where clutter can be a significant issue, the article suggests a practical trick. Rather than meticulously organizing, sellers are advised to temporarily hide extra dishes or cookware in the dishwasher and stash mail or fundraising items in less accessible places. The focus is on creating the appearance of cleanliness without extensive tidying.
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Dealing with Dirty Laundry: The article recommends a swift solution for handling visible laundry. Instead of sorting and putting away laundry, the suggestion is to quickly hide it in the washer or dryer. This tactic helps maintain a clean appearance without the time-consuming task of proper laundry organization.
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Blind Buyers with Light: Lighting plays a crucial role in how a home is perceived. The article advises ensuring that blinds are open and lights are on in every room. This technique is presented as a way to distract potential buyers from potential imperfections by creating a brighter, more inviting atmosphere.
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Making the Bed: A seemingly simple yet impactful tip is to always make the beds. The article argues that there's no excuse for leaving beds unkempt, especially when preparing for a showing. Presenting well-made beds contributes to the overall tidy appearance of bedrooms and helps create a positive impression on potential buyers.
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Stress Management: The article concludes with a crucial aspect often overlooked—stress management. It suggests taking a moment to relax during the 30-minute cleaning routine. Stress can influence one's perception of the tidiness of a home, and the article encourages sellers to see their property through the eyes of potential buyers, turning stress into excitement about the prospect of selling.
In summary, the provided tips are practical, time-efficient strategies for preparing a home for a sudden showing, drawing on the psychology of perception and presentation to make a positive impact on potential buyers.
