As a real estate agent, you will show a lot of homes to get them sold and closed. If you are new to real estate after getting your real estate license, you may have heard of some of the ideas for open houses and showings listed below. However, these ideas can backfire and are home buyer turnoffs, so it’s best to avoid them if you want your showings to go off without a hitch.
Baking Cookies and Other Treats
Almost everyone likes cookies, cakes, and other sweet treats. You may have heard that you can make a home feel more welcoming and cozy by baking cookies before a showing.
It is a nice idea, but it can get to the point where every real estate agent does it and the sales ploy becomes too obvious and a home buyer turnoff.
However, after you close a sale, it’s always a smart idea to hold a housewarming party. Then you can bake to your heart’s content. Cookies, breads, cakes – whatever you like!
A housewarming party also is a great place to get more leads for future clients.
Don’t Use Scented Candles
It’s a smart move to get the home smelling clean and fresh before possible buyers see it. But when you are thinking about adding scents, use caution. What one person considers a wonderful fragrance another can find repulsive.
Have you ever heard the story about cilantro? Some people think the herb is wonderful to add to salads and grilled vegetables. However, others claim that it tastes like soap to them. Science shows that differences in brain structure can make cilantro taste wonderful to one person and awful to another.
Keep that in mind when you’re about to break out the vanilla-scented candles for your next showing!
Not Dealing with the Pets
Many homeowners have dogs and cats and you will need to figure out how to deal with them when showing the home. Pets can make the home smell, so you may need to coordinate with the homeowner to get the pets out of the home for at least a few hours before the showing.
You also should talk to the homeowners about leaving the pets loose when potential buyers come. Even if your dog is ‘always friendly,’ you never know when he or she won’t be.
Homeowners in the Home
Ok, it’s still their home, but it’s awkward to have the homeowner in the residence during a showing. If at all possible, the owner and children should be out of the home during every showing.
Some sellers complain that agents don’t give them enough notice when showing the home. So give your seller at least a few hours to clear out before your showing.
Leaving Clutter
A cluttered home never shows well and there is less chance that it will be purchased. Before you show the house, talk to the homeowners about getting the home decluttered and staged for buyers.
There should not be any dirty laundry lying around and no dishes should be on the counters or sink. Get rid of as much unnecessary stuff as possible so it’s not a home buyer turnoff.
Too Many Personal Items
Your seller should use care not to leave too many personal items in the home. While having family photos displayed might seem innocuous, seeing too many personal items in the home can make it harder for a buyer to picture the home as their own.
Go through the home with the seller before showings and have them remove family photos and other personal items.
If you never make these mistakes as a new agent, you will be well on your way to great real estate success!
