RSS

Is There a Difference Between a Showing and An Open House?

Is There a Difference Between a Showing and An Open House?

When you’re looking for the right Oakville realtor and are about to put your home on the market, you may be wondering what lies ahead. Once your home is listed, you’ll want to be ready to welcome as many potential home buyers as possible in hopes of a quick sale and a good sale price. When you work with Sue Heddle Homes, you’ll receive free home staging to ensure your home presents the best first impression, but as you start to have potential buyers step into your home, there are things you can do to ensure your home shows well.


Simply put, there are two ways potential buyers can view your home in person. They can either make an appointment with their real estate agent or attend an open house, where your home is open to anyone to come through and look.


A Showing


A showing is a professionally scheduled appointment by your local Oakville realtor that gives potential buyers the opportunity to tour your home on their own (no other buyers at the same time). Either your real estate agent or the potential buyer’s real estate agent will accompany them while they tour your home. For security reasons, you should never allow an unaccompanied buyer into your home. 


Ideally, you should not be present during showings. Buyers need to feel at ease and free to discuss their thoughts. If needed, you can put some parameters around when showings are possible, which may be required if you have young children at home, for example.


An Open House 


An open house is held to try and generate interest and to get as many buyers as possible to walk through and view your home, usually within a few hour time period on a Saturday or Sunday. Sometimes open houses can be held early on a weeknight, but weekends are most common.  Many potential buyers come without their real estate agent, and many people who come through may not even have an agent yet. Your experienced real estate agent, or someone from their team, will host the open house, sign in visitors, and answer questions.  Again, you should plan to not be present. 


How To Ace Showing Your Home


Open houses can be easier to plan for as there is an agreed date and time. Once you get into regular showings, you’ll always need to be ready so that your home shows well to prospective buyers. 


Here are some tips for making sure your home is properly prepared for a showing:

  • Turn on all the lights, including outside lights.
  • Turn off the TV and any computers.
  • Take your pets with you or drop them off at a friend or neighbour’s house.
  • Put out fresh flowers, fresh towels or a nice table cloth – something that adds to seasonal décor is ideal.
  • Don’t spray strong scents as they can be very off-putting.
  • Empty your kitchen compost and garbage, even if it is stored under the sink.
  • Make all the beds.
  • Open all draperies and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible.
  • Pick up stray items – food wrappers, toys, newspapers, empty glasses, etc.
  • Keep floors swept, mopped and vacuumed.
  • Dust daily to make last minute showings easier.

Sue Heddle Homes – The Experienced Oakville Realtor You Need 

Selling your home is a very busy and often overwhelming time. It certainly helps to have a qualified and experienced realtor on your side to guide you through the process and help limit stress and uncertainty. Sue Heddle is an award-winning realtor with more than 10 years of experience buying and selling homes in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga and surrounding areas. If you’re ready to sell your home and want it to be a positive experience, contact Sue Heddle Homes. We’d be happy to help!

Comments:

No comments

Post Your Comment:

Your email will not be published