Top 8 Home Showing Faux Pas

Studies show home buyers can make a decision about your home in about 30 seconds.  The 30 second first impression is enough to send buyers running, or keep them chomping at the bit to see what’s around each and every corner. So what makes the difference between the two? What can you do to avoid being put in a buyers “Not Interested” pile?

These 8 Faux Pas are a list of No-Nos that make every Realtor cringe when showing clients homes.  Avoid them, and get your showings off to a good start.

8) Distracting/Bad Photos

While technically, this isn’t during a showing, bad or misleading pictures can set you up for failure when buyers do come to view the home.  Good pictures are an important piece to any marketing campaign to sell your property. Today’s home buyer starts their shopping online. It doesn’t take a professional photographer to be able to decipher between these two photos.  Given the same house, the home with professional photos will bring more buyers through the door every time.

7) Darkness

It’s not often you hear someone say “I just love this dark and dingy room!” Humans (well, most of us) like brightness. When a home buyer walks into a home they are immediately in tune with their major senses: sight, sound, touch and smell. Home buyers want a space that makes them feel happy (It’s not a secret the bright lights/sunlight make us humans happy).  The sight of open windows, with natural light coming in can be tranquil and soothing, not to mention make the space appear larger.  Before any showings, turn on all the lights and open up the blinds. (Well…unless there is a dumpster out your window, then keep it closed)

6) Leaving out personal information

I’ve seen it many times before and I know I’ll see it again, homeowners leaving out passports, bank statements, mortgage payoff amounts.  While it may be inappropriate to look at it, buyers are NOSY! Don’t leave them anything that could provide them with personal information, or even worse, give them leverage of inside information. Put away all your personal items before showings!

5) Dirt/clean

Seem pretty obvious?  It’s not.  As we live in our homes, sometimes we just “go blind” to certain things.  Of course you never stared up at your air vent while you were living there, but the buyers can be quick to find a fault such as this.  A good solid cleaning from house to bottom is a minimum requirement if you ask me.  But it doesn’t stop at just dirt. Put away Laundry, put away the dishes, throw away full trash cans, and pick the towels off the floor.  While it’s certainly not always easy keeping a home in tip top shape, it’s worth it for the expedited sale. Buyers want clean, clean clean!

4) DIY Projects gone bad

The best thing about being a homeowner is you can do whatever upgrades and changes you’d like to your property. Unfortunately many homeowners think they have what it takes to tackle a project, and it just doesn’t come out as planned.  Depending on the price range of the home, careless DIY projects won’t be tolerated by many buyers.  After all, who want’s lousy craftsmanship in their home? It’s best to have certain DIY projects finished up by a professional who can make sure the project is safe, functioning, and most of all turn an “issue” into a “bonus”.

3) Loose and Unruly Pets

I love pets, and most people do.  But when a buyer comes in to your home, and the dog is constantly barking, or god forbid being aggressive (yes, I have taken a bite to the foot once when showing!) it is VERY distracting.  The heightening tension and noise makes a buyer feel less comfortable.  When a buyer feels uncomfortable they are that much less likely to buy. When possible, remove pets before showings to maximize the comfort level of your buyers.

2) Smells

It’s the biggest turn off that you can’t see.  While the visual experience of walking into a home is surely the largest factor, a bad odor or “funky” smells can make a buyer walk in and turn right back around.  The most difficult part of this is many people just don’t realize their house has an odor.  It doesn’t have to be a completely foul smelling odor, or an odor that bothers you.  I have seen buyers who were offended by the smell of curry cooking in the house.  Be sensitive to what smells might be in your house.  It’s worth asking a friend or family member who doesn’t live in the house to give you their honest opinion, as your nose can go blind to what it breathes in every day.

1) Home Owners hanging around during showings

This is number 1 for a reason.  More than any other faux pas on the list, hanging around during showings is a big no-no to be avoided at all cost.  It just might cost you the sale of your home!  When a buyer walks into a home, they try to envision themselves living in the home.  Can they picture themselves living here, sleeping in the bedroom, cooking in the kitchen, does it make them happy?  When a homeowner is hovering while a potential buyer is walking through I can tell you first hand, showings last about half as long as other showings.  Buyers feel rushed, they feel as they are being intrusive, and therefore never are able to relax and have that “ah yes, I like this” moment that they are looking for.  You may be tempted to want to tell the homeowners about all the things you’ve done, or the memories you had, but in reality this is rarely a good idea.