Hello World! Welcome Friends! As the real estate agent, you often have to juggle a lot of responsibilities. This includes dealing with both the sellers and buyers of a property. Both parties want certain outcomes and have specific needs, and it’s part of your job to ensure that both the seller and the buyer are kept updated with how things are going. However, there is still a chance that things can go awry and you might face delays or lose out on the deal because one of these parties acts out of line.
That being said, you normally have to deal with this when you’re showing a home to a potential buyer. While you will likely be on your best behavior, the seller might not or miss something that might leave a bad impression on potential buyers. As the real estate agent, it is your job to fully discuss this with the seller that there are things that they should be keeping in mind during the open house. Here are some important things you need to highlight and emphasize to them:
1. Remind Them to Maintain Home Security
For many sellers, they can be so focused on other aspects of selling their homes that security becomes less of a concern. This is especially true when their property is already empty of their furniture and belongings. They might have disabled the home security system and have removed other security measures. Make it clear to them that it is still important to keep their property secure, even if it’s just for you and potential buyers.
It is still possible for people to break into their house to steal any fixtures that they find valuable. Worse, a homeless person (or a group of them) can easily enter the house and squat there due to the lack of home security. Aside from keeping a home security system in place, you can convince and reassure everyone that an advanced lockbox is also another good security option.
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Not only is it a great security option, but a lockbox will also provide a safe and convenient way for you to access the property even when the owner isn’t around. You can simply enter the code, make sure that the lockbox is synced to your phone, and the lockbox opens to give you the keys to the house. Offer more cautious or doubtful sellers options for lockboxes with security features that they can program and customize as they want and make sure they share these details with you. A lockbox will keep any property safe and eliminates the need for the seller to be there on open houses for security reasons.
Security is not as big an issue in Kensington compared to other cities. This added layer of security is particularly reassuring for those looking at homes for sale in Kensington, where the market is competitive and properties are highly sought after. It provides peace of mind not only to the sellers but also to the potential buyers who are considering making Kensington their home.
2. Emphasize that Giving the Buyers Space is Important
Sometimes, the seller would want to be present during the open house because they feel that they can help you sell their property better. Since they are usually the owners or caretakers of the property, they are most familiar with it and can provide more insight to potential buyers. However, as the listing agent, this is really more of your responsibility, and you need to make that clear to the seller.
You need to clearly explain to the seller that the buyer’s needs and expectations are just as important as theirs. The buyers deserve as much transparency and privacy as the sellers do during the open house. This means making sure that the buyers get to see the property and are shown around by someone who is unbiased (this is you). It will also allow them to form their own opinions and be frank with their words. The potential buyers should be able to voice out their opinions and clarify certain things with you, without feeling uncomfortable or being forced to be polite.
This is what you need to communicate the most to the seller. It’s simply in everyone’s best interests that they are not present during the open house. While the seller might have good intentions, the potential buyers may lose interest in the property because of their presence. Some sellers may take an instant dislike to certain buyers too (and vice versa), and you could end up losing the deal. You can help convince the seller by advising them to schedule long appointments and activities at the same time as the open house to keep them busy and away from the property.
3. Ask Them to Clean and Declutter
As open houses are all about making a good first impression, make sure that the seller has done some spring cleaning to make the home ready for presentation when the open house begins. You can also help the seller in staging their homes so you can give them advice since you know what potential buyers expect and what they are looking for.
If the seller has already moved to a new place, make sure that the house is free of all their belongings and is thoroughly cleaned in time for the open house. Everything should be at the seller’s new place or safely kept in storage. However, if the seller has yet to move out, you should still make sure that their home looks neat, tidy, and presentable. Some buyers may even appreciate a more “lived in” look during open houses. It lets them visualize what living in the house might look and feel like. All the same, make sure everything is spick-and-span during the open house.
4. Have a Plan for the Pets
Aside from the seller and their family, you both also need to make sure their pets are away from the home while you’re showing the buyers around. It might not be enough to keep them locked in a room or in their cages as they might get excitable and destructive during the open house. Buyers might be turned off by noisy and hostile pets, who might see them as intruders.
Make sure to discuss this with the seller to ensure that their pets are accounted for. If their new place isn’t quite ready for the pets to move in yet, have them arrange for the pet to stay with a loved one or in a pet hotel for the time being. If it’s a bit easier to coordinate your schedule with the seller, you can ask them to take their pets for a walk or a drive for the duration of the open house.
5. Remind Them to Prepare Snacks and Refreshments
While this won’t necessarily convince any buyers into agreeing to purchase the house, there is no harm in providing guests with something to eat or drink during the open house. It’s simply common courtesy and a hospitable thing to do for people coming into one’s home, regardless if the owner is there or not. Additionally, it’s part of making a good first impression too.
If the buyers prefer to sit down to help themselves to the food and drinks available, you can also use it as a way to talk about the neighborhood or the history of the property. Make sure to get this information from the seller and to ask for any documents or brochures that they can have the buyers take home. Many potential buyers will appreciate having something physical that they can reference after the open house.
When it comes to real estate transactions, it’s more than just maintaining good relationships with all parties involved. It’s also about managing expectations and making sure you leave a lasting impression on buyers. By sharing these tips with the seller, you can make sure that both the seller and the property are at their best during the open house.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
The Changing Seasons: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Year Ahead
How to Show off Your Style in Your New Home
Looking into Gutter Repairs in Gateshead
Aeration Solutions to Rejuvenate Your Golf Course Pond
Big Home Renovations that Add Value to Your Property
Outdoor Additions You Can Make to Your Home This Summer
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Toodles,
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