How To Sell Your House Privately, For Extra Profit
BE PREPARED:
You know the exact time of the appointment or open home so start early and get yourself prepared. The last thing you need is a frantic rush to cut the lawns or do the dishes etc.
You should be controlling the situation so allow enough time otherwise it can be very stressful. For a private house sale make sure all of the housework is done. Your home's presentation should already be up to scratch so it should be just a matter of tidying and cleaning etc. Do the dishes, wipe around the floor of the shower, check to see that there's no dirty washing protruding from the laundry basket etc.
Preferably organise for any children to be cared for or taken to the park etc - they can be distracting to potential buyers and they may say the wrong thing at the wrong time! Ideally dogs should also be away from the house while cats need to be outside. In winter, warm your home on cold days. Have the fire or heater to create a sense of cosiness and in the summer air your home.
A vase of freshly cut flowers always adds to the homeliness and definitely turn off the TV as this will be a distraction. Mood music in the background is okay and some people percolate coffee or have fresh baking smells. Your main aim is to create a positive environment that will make the potential buyer feel at home and at ease.
It's a good idea to remove or hide valuables and personal effects. For an effective private house sale every little detail has to be taken care of, looking confident and self assured buyers will more than likely respect you respect your opinion.
You may want to check your insurance policy to see if it covers stolen or broken goods while your home is for sale and if you are covered while you are holding open homes. If something goes missing, you might not be covered.
If possible, have two of you at the open home. Generally one person will greet the visitors while the other casually wanders around the home or helps out if it gets busy.
Lastly, if the main entrance to the home gives a great view of the laundry or toilet, make sure the door is closed.
