Once sellers have placed their home on the market and have made the necessary preparations, what can they expect from their first show day? Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says that are several things that sellers can expect when they open their home to the public.
Don’t be home
According to Goslett, the first thing that sellers should expect is to make arrangements to be out of the home during show days. “Potential buyers will feel far more comfortable to explore the home if the current owner of the home is not present. It is best to leave the showing of the house to the agent, so that buyers can envision themselves living in the home,” says Goslett.
Expect neighbours to drop in
Among the potential buyers there are likely to be a number of curious neighbours that drop by to see the home. This is partly because they would like to compare the property to theirs and see the potential price they could sell their home for and partly just to snoop. The upside is that they will be able to talk to potential buyers about the area.
Remain contactable
Goslett says that while homeowners should not be home during show days, they should be available via phone at all times in case the agent or a potential buyer has a question.
Find an alternative place to park your vehicle
Ensure that there is as much free parking space available for buyers as possible. If the homeowners only has one car then this isn’t a problem as they won’t be there during the show days, however all other vehicles should be parked at a friend’s or neighbour’s home to make space for potential buyers and the real estate agent.
Feedback from the agent
Goslett says that the real estate agent will solicit comments from the potential buyers who view the home and will be able to provide feedback to the seller. This information will be helpful to gauge the interest in the property and make adjustments regarding the asking price or home updates that need to be done.
Be patient
While the shortages of property available to buyers has pushed the market in seller’s favour, some homes may still take some time to sell. “An agent’s objective is to sell a home for the best possible price in the shortest period of time, but this may not be overnight. It could take one or two days before the show day foot traffic translates into calls from buyers who are serious about purchasing the home,” says Goslett.
He concludes by saying that if the seller has chosen to work with a reputable, experienced real estate professional, show days can be a highly effective marketing tool.
