What Home Sellers Should Know
What Home Sellers Should Know
What Home Sellers Should Know: One of the biggest obstacles to selling a home – is the behavior of the home seller. Here are some etiquette rules for sellers of homes presented by the National Association of Realtors, Lets start with the two most important etiquette rules home sellers should know:
Leave
Sure, you’re dying to know if prospective buyers will love what you’ve done with the kitchen, but Realtors® agree sellers should not be there lurking in the shadows during an open house or showing.
“Buyers don’t feel as comfortable when the owner is at the home watching their every move,” explains Nicholas Kensington of Scottsdale Real Estate. “Get out of their way so that they can start to picture themselves living there instead of being spied on.” So take a powder. Or at least hide.
Take your pets with you
You think Humbert is the cutest labradoodle ever, but not everyone is bound to share that opinion. In addition to having allergies, some home shoppers may not be in the market for a run-in with an animal they don’t know.
“Imagine, as a buyer, having the background music set to ‘barking dog’ while you are trying to take in the home’s nuances that you, as the seller, have worked so hard to hone,” says Brenda Hayward, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “To say nothing of the stress it puts on your beloved pet. Take your mutt for a car ride, to the dog park, or for a long walk. It will do you both good.”
Get the hint! Sellers need to be long gone when buyers roll up to the front door. As a seller you will say something you shouldn’t. And more importantly – buyers need some space to properly consider your home. And your pets – you love them – but they do not make buyers feel welcome. Take them with you when you leave.
Move your car
“Make it easy for visitors to park and view the home,” Kensington notes. “No one likes parking issues. Having them is a sure way to get a viewing off to a bad start.” In fact, if potential buyers have to park a block away and walk, they may just skip taking the tour of your home. Or if they’re willing to make the hike, they may be in a lousy mood by the time they enter your home. Why risk it?
Lay out important documents
If questions arise while buyers are on the premises, it may help them decide to put in an offer that much faster if they can find answers quickly and in writing.
“Leaving necessary documents in an easy-to-find spot isn’t just good for selling, it’s also good selling etiquette,” says Kensington. “Put out the home inspection report, appraisal, home warranty, monthly bill information—gas, electric—and proof of any major repairs are all good things to let people look through when they are considering buying your home.”
Offer some refreshments
House hunters can get parched and peckish. You can help! “Putting out a few small bottled waters in a small bowl of ice is always appreciated, along with some light, easy grab-and-go sort of refreshments like mints or cookies,”
Get your cars out of the way. Make room for the buyers car AND the real estate agents car. Most Atlanta buyers are not riding around in the car with their real estate agents
Be patient waiting for feedback
Of course, you’re dying to know what buyers thought of your home, but that information may not flow back to you instantaneously. Buyers often want to process what they’ve seen and think it over before making an offer. If one comes through, don’t worry, you’ll hear about it! “It is reasonable FOR YOUR REALTOR to ask for feedback from agents who show your home, but understand it may take a day or two for the buyer’s agent to respond,”
Don’t be greedy
Who doesn’t want top dollar for their home? But an unwillingness to negotiate can kill a possible deal and keep your home on the market long after you were hoping to be unpacking at your new place.
“Focusing on your bottom line is always important, but greed can lead to disaster. Remember a little of something is better than a lot of nothing. Generosity will lead you to your promise land,” says Josh Myler, a Realtor with The Agency.
Listen to the professionals
“Don’t shoot the messenger,” says Caroline Gosselin, a Realtor with Sotheby’s Prominent Properties. “Keep emotions out and listen to what a licensed, trained, professional has to say about the house, be it a Realtor or an inspector. It’s immature and unmannerly not to be able to take criticism and be able to move on.”
Want to read the whole article? Go here: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2016/01/26/proper-home-seller-etiquette
Call or text Sally English 404-229-2995 to sell your Atlanta, Georgia home. Free market analysis of your home is available. We can help you with what home sellers should know.
