How to Show a House
You've decided to sell your house yourself. Now you have to do all the work that a real estate agent would normally do, including showing the home to prospective buyers. If you want to garner interest, learn the right way to show your residence.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Allow the prospective buyer to take all the time he wants. Don't pressure him to hurry through the house. Many people like to take their time and visualize themselves in the house. Give him all the time he needs.
-
2
Keep the interior temperature of the house comfortable. If it's hot out, put on an air conditioner; if it's cold, turn up the heat. Make it comfortable enough so prospective buyers want to stay and look over the house as long as they wish.
-
-
3
Use certain props to create a mood. Light your fireplace, put on soft music, light scented candles or turn on accent lamps or recessed lighting. Many studies show that use of scents and creating ambiance yields positive results when showing a house. Baking cookies while showing a house is a great way to create a mood and a scent that people find appealing.
-
4
Show the house in the right light. Strategically placing lights in certain rooms can help show those rooms better. For instance, lighting one wall of a small room can make it appear larger. Keep the TV off when showing a house. The TV can distract prospective buyers.
-
5
Remove family photos and personal items wherever possible. Prospective buyers can more easily visualize their own belongings in the house.
-
6
Leave the house, if possible, while prospective buyers look through it. People don't like to talk too much when the homeowner is lingering nearby. Wait outside or in another part of the house while the buyers look through the rooms. Let them know where you are in case they have questions.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep a tape measure handy in case your prospects want to measure rooms or portions of the house.
Don't spray deodorizers or air purifiers, as some people may be allergic to these items.
Don't play music too loudly.
