Showing Your Home

Does your home have curb appeal? Eventually, potential buyers will want to walk through your home. A buyer's first impression of your home might be their only impression. Make sure your home looks great when approached from the outside. Walk around your entire house and note all of the improvements that can be made. Simple things can make a big difference. Make sure is shows well. In a nutshell, clean-up and get rid of the clutter. Here are some ideas:

• Keep your lawn mowed
• Cleanup the landscape (front and back)
• Hide your garbage cans (or at least make sure they appear clean
• Wash windows and exterior walls and doors, including the garage door

• Turn on every light, a bright room looks bigger, cleaner, and more welcoming.
• Put a frozen roll in the oven before they come to give your home the smell of fresh baked bread.
• Dust and clean everywhere, don't forget light fixtures, blinds and sliding door tracks (clean air filters should help keep the dust down)
• Wash floors and walls
• Shampoo and vacuum carpet
• Deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms (especially mirrors, toilets and sinks)
• Touch-up paint where needed
• Remove extra furniture and clutter, such as pet food dishes, toys and counter top clutter (you may want to consider a garage sale or even renting a self storage unit)
• Clear closets and storage areas, such as the basement and garage
• Open your curtains and drapes

Show Your Home Safely

When scheduling appointments with potential buyers, remember that you probably don't know them and could become a potential target for an attack. The following are a few tips that could help keep you safe:

1. Get the buyer's name and phone number and call them before the appointment to make sure their phone number is valid. Consider asking them some of these questions to pre-qualify them as a real buyer:

• How many people will be coming with you?
• What will you be driving?
• When would you like to close?
• Do you need financing? If so, is your mortgage pre-approved?
• Do you have to sell your home first? If so, is it on the market?
• Do you have a qualified buyer?

2. To help break the ice when the buyer arrives, try commenting on something they said while on the phone with you. A comfortable relaxed feeling will go a long way.

3. Have someone else there with you and let others know when you will be showing your home so they can check on you later, and leave a back door unlocked for a quick escape.

• Turn on all the lights (inside and out), this shows your home well and makes for a safer environment.
• Put away valuables like jewelry.
• Don't go down stairs alone.

Please note that EverySingleHome does not screen anyone using the Web site and has no control over who will call.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL!