When showing a house, sellers typically highlight the positives of a home and try to allow buyers the opportunity to imagine themselves in the property. For buyers, buying a home can be a big emotional decision rather than a logical decision -- or a mix of the two. Therefore, it is crucial to know the best practices for showing houses. Worry no more! Because listed below are the things sellers and agents need to know to continue improving their best practices of personal home tours:
Begin with the basics:
#1: Prepare all the paperwork needed for showing houses
It’s essential foe agents to look and act smart during the touring of homes. Having all of the necessary paperwork in order to answer any questions that may arise is key. Here is some information to gather for a personal house tour:
- Property address
- Total square footage
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Outdoor spaces
- House’s special features
- Neighborhood amenities
- Nearby school information
- Brief description of the property
#2: Prep the house!
Pay attention to small and big details. Before showing a home, the house must be cleaned and prepared for the potential buyers. Start with these simple reminders:
- Check the ceilings for cobwebs
- Inspect the floor for possible stains
- Check the walls for specks of dirt and handprints
- Deodorize and neutralize the smell of the house
Best Practices for Showing Houses: Be Reminded That Small Things Matter Most, Learn The Basics!
During personal house tours, consider clients as friends:
#3: Welcome buyers with warm greetings.
Who does not want to be graciously welcomed, right? Warmly converse with clients; therefore, they won’t feel any pressure to buy the house immediately. Furthermore, when sellers are courteous with buyers, the house itself has a warm ambiance.
#4: Be patient and make a personal connection.
During a personal house tour, it’s crucial to establish a personal connection with the buyer. For example, when buyers curiously ask questions, be patient in answering them and make it casual and conversational as possible!
#5: Allow buyers to look around themselves.
Personal house tours can and should be flexible! Buyers tend to check rooms, sometimes multiple times. Allow buyers the space to let the house speak for itself. Given more space, buyers may be able to more appropriately visualize themselves in the home without feeling rushed or "sold". Therefore, don’t restrict them and just let them visit all the areas in the house. This way, they can make personal engagement with the home.
#6: Set a nice tone with snacks, refreshments, and music.
Providing snacks and refreshments will immediately provide a positive feeling to the potential buyers. Music and a delicious snack or bottle of water help buyers feel more comfortable while looking at the home which can translate to them making a connection with that property! Choose music that is universally enjoyed and calming -- but not elevator music!
#7: Turn on all the features!
Accentuate the house by turning on the features inside it! If showing houses or holding an open house in the winter - turn on that fire place! Similarly, when it’s summer, turn on the water features like the fountain in the garden or further accentuate a pool if possible. The same goes for any special lighting the property may have,
Best Practices for Showing Houses: Let The House Speak For Its Beauty, Worth, and Story!
To sum up, all of these boil down to the goal of highlighting what’s best and remarkable about a house. Remember that it’s more than appealing to buyers’ purchase decisions -- it's appealing to the human element of homeownership. Above all, two things: make the home inviting and make the tour worthy of their time!
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