HomeSation Realty Group

Picture this: your home is on the market and in the first 24 hours, we have 10 showing requests for the next day -- super exciting!

So, you spend the morning cleaning and decluttering, pack up the family and the dog, and get everyone out of the house for an afternoon packed with back-to-back showings.

By 5:00 p.m., you're wondering what's going on and if your home has sold yet!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

➡️ I'll always keep you updated, even if we don't have any feedback. Because if we don't hear anything back from the agent who brought in your buyer, that *is* feedback. That means the buyer is probably going to pass -- or maybe they'll resurface in the future, but no news in this case is not necessarily good news.

➡️ If the buyers fell in love with your property and planned to make an offer, we'd hear from their agent asap. The truth is that some buyers just don't provide feedback, some agents don't provide feedback, and I won't always be able to close the loop.

➡️ Showing feedback isn't always instantaneous. Buyers usually book multiple showings in one day and it's a lot to digest. You're probably not going to get same-day feedback, unless a buyer is super interested and has a lot of questions.

If you've sold a home, did you have to wait to get feedback? Or did you hear from your buyers right away?

Real talk: real estate can be unpredictable...for agents, for home buyers, and for home sellers.

If you're selling your home, last-minute showing requests can throw your schedule into chaos if you're unprepared.

Here are my three tips to make your life easier while your home is for sale.

1) Keep your home in showing-ready shape all the time.
It's harder than it sounds! At the end of each day, do a quick sweep through your home and make sure clothes and toys are hung up or put away, the sink is free of dishes and wipe down countertops and mirrors throughout your house.

2) Use woven or decorative baskets to hide clutter.
Stash throw blankets, unfolded laundry or kids' toys in decorative baskets and place them in closets or strategically throughout the house to resemble home decor.

3) Keep all of your "staging" props in one place.
Keep a plastic bin with staging props to help us highlight your home's best features. For example: if you have a huge fireplace, set out two wine glasses and a bottle of your favorite red on a tray on the coffee table. If you have a reading nook with a gorgeous view, use throw pillows and a cozy blanket to help the buyer picture their lifestyle in your home.

Here's a bonus tip: if you have nowhere to hide your clutter, use the washer or dryer to stash that clothes pile on your floor or the toys your kids didn't put away. It's unlikely that they're going to go through your laundry!

Read this before attending your home showings! ⬇️

DO: Take off your shoes!
If the seller provides protective booties, you can wear those instead.

DO: Arrive on time.
The market is competitive right now and you are probably not the only person scheduled to view a property. Arriving on time can give you a competitive advantage.

DO: Ask questions!
A showing is your time to get to know everything you need to know about a home. Write down your questions in advance of a showing (and I'll be prepared with a list of questions about the condition of the home, too).

DON'T: Talk about the home during the showing.
These days, you should assume that the sellers have cameras everywhere and can hear what you're saying. Keep a poker face and wait to discuss thoughts until you get in your car or leave the property.

DON'T: Use the bathroom.
Unless it's a true emergency, it's best not to use the bathroom while showing a home. Some sellers may not be comfortable with this, especially if it's vacant and has already been cleaned for new buyers.

DON'T: Bring kids, pets or extended family to showings.
It's best to limit initial showings only to the primary decision-makers. While kids should certainly be involved in the house-hunting process, bringing a crowd to showings can be distracting and chaotic -- especially in today's competitive market.

Comment below: did any of these tips surprise you?