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© Vicki Lloyd 2001-2

Showing your home to agents and their buyers is what will actually sell it.  The best way to get the home sold fast is to keep it ready to show on a moment’s notice.  While most agents will try to give you a reasonable notice prior to showing, sometimes they just can’t. It’s best to keep the house picked up, with beds made, dishes done, and drapes open.  If an agent calls to make arrangements to either preview or bring their clients by, just say “ok” rather than grilling them about what time they will arrive.  Many times, they will have several other properties to show and at the time they call you, have not decided yet on the exact order that they will go in. Sometimes clients are late, and other times they can be early. It’s best to be as flexible as possible.

Sometimes agents will ask to show your home, but then fail to show up. There are many possible reasons that this happens, so don’t feel rejected. Sometimes they just run out of time, other times the client will notice a feature at a different home that they realize that they either must have (and yours doesn’t) or refuse to consider (and yours has it), and when the agent learns of that, he or she might eliminate your home from the list of showings.

Using a lockbox is the most convenient way for agents to have access to your home when you are not there to let them in. Also, it is a good idea to change your answering machine message to something like, “We aren’t available right now, but if you are a real estate agent, please leave your name and number, and you are welcome to use the lockbox and show the house.” Today’s electronic lockboxes offer some security by keeping  track of the agents who have used it, and also may be programmed to allow showing only during certain hours, such as 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. The lockbox may be attached to your home by locking it to the front door, water pipe or gas meter.  For people who are home a lot during the normal showing hours, you may wish to keep the lockbox in your house, and only set it out when you will be gone.  (This will keep you from being surprised by agents and buyers if you take a shower or a nap in the middle of the day!)

If you have pets, it is best to have them restricted to certain areas of the house, and to post a notice on the front door and any doors leading to the area where the pet is, warning agents that the cat may try to escape, or the dog is in the garage or yard.  (Even if your dog is a sweet little puppy, some buyers are afraid and won’t look at a house if there is a dog running loose.)

A final word of advice is to let the agents do their jobs by showing the house.  You should avoid talking to agents or their buyers other than to say “Hello, please take your time to look, and if you have any questions, my agent will help you.”  Then excuse yourself and take the dog for a walk or just take a walk.  (See article)