Seller's Guide

SELLER’S GUIDE Tips and tricks to help sellers prepare and show their home.

Preparing Your Home The first impression is often the lasting impression.

A buyer will form an opinion before walking in the front door.

EXTERIOR 

Plant colorful flowers, mow/edge the lawn regularly, fertilize for deep green color.

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Shrubs should be neatly trimmed and at least 6 inches away from siding/foundation.

Especially focus on shrubbery that blocks light in windows.

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Sidewalks & driveways should have any large cracks repaired and be swept clean. In the winter, be sure they are clear of snow and ice.

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Paint color and condition can make or break a first impression. Neutral colors in good condition are appealing. Repaint if necessary. This can do more for sales appeal than any other factor. At a minimum, touch up the front door as well as door and window frames.

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Inspect roof and gutters. Replace missing shingles and treat any moss with Moss Out. Repair rust or holes in gutters and down spouts.

INTERIOR Kitchen 

This is where people spend a good portion of their time. Make it bright and open.

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Clear counters of any appliances such as coffee makers and toaster ovens. This makes counters appear larger. Minimize any canisters and/or tools as well.

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If kitchen floor is badly worn or outdated, install new flooring. Replace broken or loose tiles.

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If your refrigerator door has become a bulletin board, clear immediately. Remove excess magnets, photos, and documents.

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Clean the ventilation hood above stove, as well as scrub down your sink & stove.

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Wipe down your cabinets and touch up with paint or wood repair ink as necessary.

BATHROOMS 

Repair dripping faucets and constantly running toilets.

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Clean stains from toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and showers.

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Any slow draining sinks or tubs should be unclogged.

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Personal toiletries/items should be stored in cabinets out of sight. Counters should be free of clutter.

Your house may seem “sparse” and “unlived in” after you’re done, but it makes it much easier for prospective buyers to imagine their furniture in your home. Your home will seem larger and roomier.

LIVING AREAS 

Drywall should be in excellent condition. Spackle and paint any cracks, nail pops, or visible seams in drywall. Walk from room to room touching up paint where necessary.

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While you have the paintbrush out, be sure to touch up door frames and baseboards.

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Check ceiling for leak stains. Fix the cause of damage, repair ceiling, & paint. While you’re looking up, remove any spider webs!

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If repainting entirely, stick to conventional white or easy-to-work-with neutrals. Avoid wild colors.

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Clean fireplaces. You could insert a log or some candles to make it look inviting.

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Windows: Wash inside and out. Replace any broken windows and have broken seals repaired. Inspect and replace torn screens. Be sure they are all operable.

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Dust blinds and window sills.

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Lights: Replace burnt out bulbs, use brighter bulbs in dark rooms, and make sure all switches work.

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Carpets: A professional cleaning is strongly recommended. At the minimum, treat problem areas and vacuum thoroughly.

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Vinyl, Tile, & Hardwood floors: Scrub clean, shine, and polish! Nail down any creaks if possible.

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Closets: Organize and try to eliminate 50% of your belongings. The less you have in there, the bigger your closets will appear. Many buyers evaluate storage space carefully.

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Maximize space by minimizing clutter! Pack up collectibles, trinkets, personal pictures etc.

Shelves should display only 1-3 items. Walls appear larger and cleaner with minimal items.

BASEMENT, ATTIC, GARAGE

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Clean out attic, basement, and garage and donate or dispose of everything you are not going to move. Package everything you won’t need until you’ve settled in your new home.

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Make sure there is plenty of light on stairs in dark basements. Consider painting basement walls and ceiling a light color if it is extremely dark.

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Repair any cracks in exposed foundation or basement floors.

Home Showing Q&A Q. What can we do to make our home show well?

A. Turn on all the lights, make sure the heat is turned up, and play soft music. Turn off the television.

Open window coverings and interior doors. If there are hard to find light switches, make sure they are on. Especially in the evening, front and rear porch lights should be on. Ideally, your home should be so clean that it looks like no one lives there.

Q. Our home recently went on the market. How long does it typically take before our home is shown?

A. It could be shown on the first day or it could take a couple of weeks. It varies depending on the season and the number of homes on the market.

Q. How much warning, if any, will we get before our home is shown?

A. Realtors will call you as early as 72 hours in advance if they are planning a tour for an out- oftown client. If a Realtor is in your neighborhood with a client who wants to see your home unexpectedly, you may get a call from your driveway with a request for an immediate showing.

Show your home at every opportunity. If the buyers are making a request from your driveway, they already like the outside of your home and the neighborhood. It is better to show your home in a less than perfect state than to miss an opportunity. The buyer could fall in love with the next house never having seen yours.

Q. Should we leave the house during a showing?

A. Yes, if at all possible. If you have young children, you can answer the door and excuse yourself and go for a walk or a car ride. Sitting in one room or waiting in the yard is not effective because you are still present and may inhibit the buyer.

Q. How long do showings typically last?

A. A first time showing generally lasts from 5-15 minutes. If a buyer comes back for a second showing or third look, it could take 40 minutes or more. You should definitely make arrangements to be out of the house on a second showing.

Q. What about our pets?

A. Take your dogs for a walk during the showing if possible. If they are not the barking type, crate them when you’re not around. Aggressive or exuberant pets do not present that “Welcome to Our Home” feeling. Even gentle pets can be distracting. The Realtor needs to concentrate on showing the features of the home, not worrying about whether the pet will escape.

Also, be aware that buyers are more sensitive to pet and tobacco odors more than any other single item. Unpleasant smells are the most cited reason for rejection of a home at the front door.

Cat litter boxes and rodent cages should be cleaned on a VERY regular basis.

Q. Will the Realtor call us to let us know it is safe to return?

A. Most often, the Realtor will be busy with the buyer either trying to sell your home or showing the next home, so they will be moving on quickly without a call to you. However, it’s usually safe to come home about 30 minutes after the showing began. If you do come back and see a car in the driveway or street, make another short trip. (This could mean the client is very interested in your home.)

Q. If we can’t leave for some reason, what is the protocol for contact between buyers and sellers?

A. Be cordial, but do not engage the buyer or the Realtor in conversation. Stay in one area of the house or yard. If you are asked questions, give specific answers but do not linger in conversation.

The potential purchaser may use something you’ve said to negotiate in the offer later. You could be set up to say something that could damage your negotiating position. Refer all questions to your Realtor.

Q. Is it wise to put strict limits on when the Realtor can show our home, for example, not at dinner or after the children’s bedtime?

A. It is wise to be as flexible as possible. If a Realtor calls to schedule a showing, ask for a specific range of time when they will arrive. He/she should be able to tell you within a range of 40 minutes.

If the Realtor does not arrive with in the time frame, go on with your life. It is sometimes difficult to predict traffic and a buyer’s speed of shopping.

Q. What if the buyer can only come during my child’s naptime?

A. Let the Realtor show the rest of the house while the child is sleeping. If they like the house, they can see the child’s room during a second showing. You can take a picture of the room ahead of time if you think it will be a frequent occurrence.

Looking for recommendations for landscapers, house cleaners, or stagers?

Call us, we only refer companies who provide the same level of service as we do.

CONTACT INFORMATION For Your Next Real Estate Team

The Tierney Real Estate Network Office: 360-816-6734 www.TheTierneyNetwork.com info@TheTierneyNetwork.com Keller Williams Premier Partners 2211 E Mill Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA 98661 1231 NW Hoyt St Ste 303 Portland, OR 97209