The holidays are the perfect time to expect the unexpected visitors.
> Your aunt happens to be in the area and wants to drop off some presents for your kids.
> Your in-laws have a plumbing problem and want to switch dinner from their house to your house.
> Your husband invites everyone from the office Christmas party back to your house.
It is not that different than accommodating a last minute showing request. So the strategy we offer sellers would be the same to use if you are suddenly unexpectedly expecting company.
We know how hard it is to keep your home in showing condition (a.k.a. visitor ready) at all times especially when you have kids and pets and homes are taking longer to sell and there can be a few weeks between showings.
If you get a last minute (say an hour or less) showing request, don't panic. STAY CALM! You can pull it off; here is what we suggest you do when you clearly don't have time to fully clean and straighten your house. They say the kitchen and the bathrooms are what sell a house.
So start in the kitchen. Just remember:
>>>If you kitchen looks clean, your house looks clean
Empty out the kitchen sink - put everything in the dishwasher (hopefully it is not already full with clean dishes - if so, move even quicker).
Clear off the counters. Dump everything in a junk drawer.
Run a swifter over the floor to pick up any pet hair or miscellaneous dirt.
>>>Take out the trash
Take the kitchen trash out. It will help eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Take a trash bag and empty all the waste baskets throughout the house (including bedrooms and bathrooms).*
>>>Brighten up the place
Turn the lights on and open the shades while you journey through the home picking up.
>>>Make the beds*
They don't have to be perfect, but straighten out the sheets and comforters, fluff the pillows.
>>>Pick up and put things in their place
Pick up dirty clothes and stuff in a laundry basket. Don't have an empty laundry basket? Dump the clothes in the washing machine. Pick up toys and stuff in a toy bin.
Shove any clutter under the beds (buyers rarely look there).
Anything that won't fit in closets, junk drawers, or under the beds, consider putting in the trunk of the car until after the showing.
>>>Get out before the potential buyer arrives
With a little strategic cleaning, your house can look pretty good in a short order. But once, it is time for them to arrive, STOP picking up and catch your breath. Don’t let anyone catch you cleaning; it makes everyone uncomfortable.
For showings, we always advise leaving prior to their arrival. But for the guests, obviously you need to stick around, no matter how much you might want to take off.
*Company usually doesn’t go into the bedrooms, so you can skip these steps and simply close the bedroom doors in the event of company.
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County of Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
Is Your Home Showing Ready? - Copyright © 2011, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213
