How to Have Home Showings that Sell

Deciding to sell your home can feel like a monumental undertaking for some sellers. There can be a lot that goes into the process both physically and emotionally. One of the pieces that can create some stress for owners is the idea of home showings. But with a few tips and tricks, you will be ready to show your house with confidence.

If you’re prepping to sell your home in the Portland, OR area, we’d love to be of service. At Julia Monaghan Real Estate, we represent our clients with integrity and advocacy. Let’s connect and talk about how we can support you.

Real Estate Showings in a Nutshell

Showing a home is an unavoidable part of being a seller. And although they are not always convenient, they can be painless with a little planning and flexibility. Your real estate agent will guide you in how to clean and declutter as you prepare for tours and house viewings.

Generally speaking, you can expect the following protocols when it’s time for your showings:

• Potential buyers will always have an agent with them for a home tour. You will not have unattended people wandering around your house.
• You don’t need to be there for a showing. In fact, a seller shouldn’t be on-site for house showings because their presence can turn off a prospective buyer quickly.
• Real estate agents try very hard to give you a few hours’ warning before bringing buyers into your home. This arrangement isn’t always possible, but we try. Be sure to talk with your seller’s agent about any times that the home will be off-limits for showings.
• Agents typically plan showings within a thirty-minute window, but it may go a bit outside of that timeframe. 

How Do You Have Home Showings that Sell?

Of course, the sole purpose of showing a house is to sell it quickly. And the faster your home sells, the fewer showings you need to have. Having prospective buyers feel as if they could live in the house is crucial. 

With that in mind, here are the top tips for the best home showing possible. You might be surprised by some of these tricks that can help your home sell quickly.

Check the Temperature

From the moment potential buyers walk in the door of your house, you want them to feel comfortable. If you’re selling during the winter, visitors will expect to step in and feel warm. If the house feels chilly, they may wonder if the furnace is working, and that is not the impression you want to give.

If it is a hot summer day, then be sure the air conditioning is running to keep the house cool. And if you don’t have AC, as is the case in many Portland homes, ask your agent to schedule early showings whenever possible. If your home gets a gentle breeze, consider opening the windows during the showing. 

Do a Sniff Test

After the ambient temperature in the home, the next crucial component to consider is the smell of your house. If strong odors hit a visitor’s nose when they come inside, selling the house will be difficult. Remember, you are trying to make sure prospective buyers will want to live there.

Before your home showings, it is critical that you address underlying smells in the house. Any lingering pet or other unpleasant odors are likely to be an immediate turnoff. Be sure to keep all pet beds, litter boxes, or other paraphernalia out of the house while showings are underway.

And don’t rely on your nose. It is common for people to become “nose blind” to the smells in their houses. What is unnoticeable to you may be off-putting to other people. Your agent will be able to tell you if there are any strong odors to take care of before your showings begin.

Once you take care of unpleasant smells, think about some lovely aromas you can add to your showings. Again, you want the house to appeal to buyers and make them imagine living there contentedly. Fresh-baked cookies or a pot of coffee can add a perfect touch of hominess when showing a house.

Avoid strong smells like candles or sprays or plug-in air fresheners. Many people are sensitive to scents and will turn right around and walk out of the house. 

Set the Mood

For the most part, you don’t want a lot of distractions for buyers during a showing. But a pleasant television screensaver or a soft playlist running in the background can make your house feel welcoming. 

If you have a fountain in your yard or a small one on an office desk, turn it on. It offers a calming white-noise effect that creates a peaceful mood for visitors.

Do you have a gas fireplace in your home? Consider lighting it to provide a warm welcome to potential buyers during colder months.

Light It Up

Buyers don’t want to wander through a dark home. They want a bright, cheerful space that lets them see your house clearly as they look around during the showing. Open the curtains and blinds and make sure all your lights are working. 

Bribe With Treats

Ok, we don’t actually believe that you need to bribe buyers. When you have an excellent agent on your side, you don’t need to resort to bribery. But having some light refreshments available for visitors can help entice them to linger a little longer. And if they have children with them, snacks can keep the kiddos happy long enough for their parents to fully explore the home.

Trust Your Agent

Your home means a lot to you. And it should! But because of your personal attachment, it may be difficult for you to prepare adequately for showings or an open house. If this is the first time you are selling a home, it can be even more challenging. Your seller’s agent, however, can work objectively to get you a buyer as quickly as possible and at top dollar.  

Listen to any advice your realtor gives you for home showings. Trust that they know what they are doing and have your best interest at heart. They are on your team.

Ready to Roll!

Selling a home can feel overwhelming, even under the best circumstances. So it’s essential to have an experienced, calm, patient agent to walk with you during this process. 

It’s an honor to serve my neighbors in West Linn, Lake Oswego, and SW Portland, OR. Give us a call as soon as you’re ready to buy or sell. We can’t wait to meet you and help you achieve your real estate dreams.