In 1993, when I started in real estate, I was working as a traditional real estate agent and had appointments to go public. As I was driving into the property, I began scanning the exterior for curb appeal and overall appearance of what needed to be corrected prior to marketing the property.
The yard was cluttered with children’s toys, garden hose, and old tires from a car that appeared to be in the driveway and could no longer be driven.
Upon entering the property I was hit by a strong smell of kitty litter that practically knocked me down. Do not misunderstand. I love the animals. I have 2 dogs and a cat, but my house is not for sale.
The smell was unbearable. After seeing a preview of the house, I sat down at the kitchen table with the owners to review where we could list the property for sale and go over what needed to be done. previous to the property listing. I didn’t get very far before my eyes started itching, burning and watering, my nose started to get wet and I started sneezing uncontrollably. So much so that I had to leave the property. Needless to say, I did not accept the list because the owners thought my allergies were unique to me.
When marketing your property for sale, it is important to realize that your home is no longer yours. The way you live in a home when it is not on the market is not the same as when you live in your home when it is on the market.
Animals and children must be made invisible to potential buyers during the commercialization stage. The house must be cleaned from top to bottom, inside and out. All odors removed.
If you have a cat litter box indoors, clean it frequently or, better yet, take the box and the animals to the garage. Dogs must be removed from the property or in a cage during the show.
If you are a cigarette smoker, smoke outside. Many people cannot tolerate the smell of cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. You are losing buyers. If you think that a non-smoker cannot smell tobacco odors, you are wrong. I can often smell whether or not the owner is a smoker from the driveway even before entering the property.
Garden hoses must be stored carefully. Old cars and tires must be removed from the property. Children’s toys should be collected and put away so buyers have a chance to “buy” their home without fear of tripping over toys and clutter. Use a storage container in the garage to neatly store toys, bikes, balls, and skates.
Making simple changes to the way you live in a property when your home is not on the market versus living in a home when it is on the market is the difference in whether or not the home will sell.
When marketing your home, remember that not all buyers like your kitten or dog, not even your children.