It’s exciting for many sellers when their first showing requests come in. Depending on the price range of your home, the showing requests might begin the same day the home lists or after about 24 hours.
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When will showings start?
Before you list, we will discuss how many showings we expect. If you are in a high demand price range (currently under $400,000), then it might be a good idea to leave the home for the entire day. Consider staying with friends for the weekend, if possible. Expect showings to reduce after the initial 7-10 days on the market. Always let us know when you go out of town so we can switch showings to an immediate availability in order to get as many potential buyers to see the home.
Related Reading: Steps to Sell a House
How long does a showing last?
At our initial listing meeting, you already let us know what your showing requirements are, how much notice you’ll need, and how our automated showing service works.
Showings typically last anywhere from just a few minutes to 45 minutes or more. It can be a great sign when a showing lasts longer because we are hoping that the buyer is already trying to imagine themselves in the home. We restrict showings to a 60 minute showing window.
Related Reading: Home Seller Checklist
Direct Calls from For Sale Signs
Most showings are scheduled through our showing service, but we might get a direct call off of our For Sale sign. We will call you directly with a showing request when this happens.
Note: We are based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. If you are planning to sell your house in a different area, we can match you with an excellent local agent. Give us a call (719-321-0800) or email us (susanna@co-regroup.com) for a referral.
Why do we have to leave our home we are selling?
We request that you give the buyer space by leaving your home during the showing window. A buyer’s agent will always be with their clients. Only licensed agents have access to the lock box installed at your home.
Leaving your home for showings might be inconvenient, but it is crucial to give the buyer as much space as possible to discuss the home with their agent. Furthermore, if the seller remains in the home it could give the buyer a negative impression, or make the buyer feel so uncomfortable that he or she will want to leave quickly. Remember, we want the buyer to stay in your home long enough to start picturing themselves living there.
Surveillance Cameras
If you have surveillance cameras in the home and are actively monitoring them (besides a doorbell camera), please let us know ahead of time so we can announce such activity. In Colorado: if you are not a party to the conversation, you cannot record it without someone’s consent. This would be eavesdropping.
How do I prepare my home for a showing?
You already de-cluttered, deep cleaned and removed all valuables, medicine, and weapons before the home was listed. We recommend taking care of the items on the following checklist before every showing to maximize the appeal of your home to buyers:
- Open all blinds and curtains to let light into the home.
- Make your best effort to have your home look just like it did for the photos (all clutter, dishes, etc. put away).
- Open the windows for a few minutes to let fresh air in and potentially remove cooking odors.
- Make sure all your beds are made and fluffed.
- Open all bathroom shower curtains.
- Close all toilet lids.
- Remove all toiletries from showers and vanities, if possible.
- Do a quick vacuum touch up.
- Squeegee shower glass.
- Turn on all lights.
- Remove all personal documents (passports, bills, letters) to protect your identity.
- Leave 10 minutes prior to your approved showing window.
- Take all pets with you when you leave the house. If that’s not an option, place them in an area of the home (garage or basement) where they can stay until the showings are over. It’s ideal to have them kenneled and caged to protect all parties. Cats may stay in the home, but keep in mind that kitty litter boxes will have to be diligently cleaned in order to avoid even the most sensitive of buyers detecting odor.
After the showing
Sometimes you might get a notification that the showing of your home has ended and you may return. If not, it is best to stay out of the house until the showing window has closed.
Agents should leave their business card, turn off all the lights and lock up the home. This might not always be the case. We recommend that you check that all windows and exterior doors are locked. It can be annoying for some sellers when agents forget to turn off the lights, but keep in mind that we want the agents focused on selling your house to their buyers.
All agents receive 3 automated feedback request emails. Only about 30% of agents will fill it out. We call to try to get verbal feedback, but it is not always possible to reach the buyer agents. Any feedback we receive will be released to you unedited and immediately.
Questions? Email susanna@co-regroup.com or call 719-321-0800. Ready to sell? Click here to fill out a Seller Profile.
