| There is a reality of the real estate market that | | | | condition as show condition and living condition are |
| is often overlooked. When selling a home, it is | | | | usually two different things. Daily living does tend |
| basically on show or on stage 24 hours a day 7 | | | | to create a bit of a mess, especially if children and |
| days a week. Sellers need to remember this fact | | | | pets are part of the equation. It does not take a |
| as even though it may be 11 pm, prospective | | | | huge effort to make sure that things stay in |
| buyers may still drive past the home and even at | | | | pristine condition on a daily basis. You may have |
| that point what they see should be impressive. | | | | to learn to live without a few things as if the |
| You may not be wanting to show your home late | | | | home is professionally staged, usually there will be |
| at night but your home is "on stage" no matter | | | | some things that get stowed away as they are |
| what time it is. What this means for any seller is | | | | unnecessary to the showing of the home. Ideally |
| that their home must be in show condition no | | | | home shows will be scheduled and you will have |
| matter what time of day or night it is. The last | | | | the appropriate time to prepare for them but as I |
| thing any seller wants to do is to have to clean | | | | stated before, those last minute, no-notice shows |
| like a maniac at the last minute to accommodate | | | | can happen. If they do happen then you need to |
| a quick show. Unfortunately one thing that | | | | be ready for them. If someone absolutely has to |
| happens a lot with a home sale is the "drive by | | | | see your home at the last minute without notice |
| show." This is a completely unplanned show that | | | | it could mean that they are desperate to buy. It |
| occurs when buyers and their realtors are having | | | | could be that they have to transfer to the area |
| a quick drive around the available homes in the | | | | and get settled quickly or any number of other |
| area and they see something they like and don't | | | | reasons. No matter what they are, if a buyer is |
| want to wait to see what lies inside. Most realtors | | | | needing to buy, you must be ready to show |
| will bristle at doing shows on the fly like this but | | | | them your home. This will be much easier if you |
| ask yourself if you can really afford to lose a | | | | don't have to tell them to wait for 20 minutes |
| prospective sale? | | | | while you clean up the dinner mess or something |
| It can be a chore keeping the home in show | | | | of the like. |