| One of the most daunting tasks any "for sale by | | | | day and in 15 to 20 minute intervals. One potential |
| owner" home seller is faced with is the showings. | | | | buyer will be walking in the door just as another is |
| When you don't have a realtor to insulate you (the | | | | leaving. This will create a feeling of urgency in your |
| seller) from the potential buyer, things can get a bit | | | | prospects. They won't want to loose the home to the |
| sticky. | | | | nice couple that came out ahead of them or those |
| Of course, before any of that comes about, you must | | | | that came in after them. Remember, you have to |
| do your research and price your home appropriately | | | | work the angles if you want to compete with the |
| as well as advertise it in the right places to attract | | | | realtor selling down the street. |
| potential buyers. One thing you must do is come up | | | | Also, it's not in your best interest to waste time |
| with a data sheet of sorts on the house, one that lists | | | | showing the house to people whose needs it really |
| the particulars such as number of bedrooms, type of | | | | doesn't serve. Try to get as much information from |
| house etc.. You should also make sure you list any | | | | the caller as possible and try not to be too put off by |
| flaws or problems that you are required by law to | | | | the caller's phone manner, they may be nervous or |
| reveal. | | | | hate talking on the phone. Ask them what exactly they |
| Once that is all done you are ready to show that | | | | are looking for and the price range. If you know they |
| house, or are you? | | | | wouldn't be interested or can't afford it (perhaps they |
| The first part to showing the house, of course is | | | | are downsizing and you're selling a three bedroom |
| getting a call from a prospective buyer. If you only | | | | home) you shouldn't bother booking an appointment. |
| have one line then sign up for the call waiting feature | | | | Find out if they are currently selling a home or renting. |
| from your telephone company. Instruct everyone in the | | | | When do they need to move in and have they already |
| household to take calls that come through and pass on | | | | been approved for a mortgage? If they haven't been |
| to you any calls for inquiries on the house. | | | | pre-qualified you might ask questions about where |
| Once you get a call, try to take it in a quiet area of the | | | | they work, how long they've been looking for a place, |
| home an have all your information in front of you. Have | | | | etc. Be very tactful and conversational. You don't want |
| your feature list handy to answer any of their | | | | to interrogate them, but you don't want to waste your |
| questions and have a list of your own. Make sure you | | | | time if they have no way to afford buying the home. |
| put a calendar in a handy spot to book appointments. If | | | | In some cases you will find that these few comments |
| you do make an appointment for a showing, be sure | | | | may weed out some who are not reasonably able to |
| to get their name and number in case something | | | | work with you. This will avoid the exasperation and |
| comes up and you have to cancel. | | | | disappointment of showing your home too many times |
| If your home has been viewed before, you might want | | | | to unlikely buyers. However, in most cases you will |
| to let them know there are other parties interested to | | | | want to encourage a viewing so keep their answers |
| create a sense of urgency. Also mention if you are | | | | for referral later. |
| having an open house since the added traffic will | | | | Remember, the appearance of your home will leave a |
| make your home more desirable. | | | | lasting impression on potential buyers so it is vital to |
| Before each showing, you will have to get your house | | | | have it in pristine condition when they arrive. It doesn't |
| into tip top shape. That means it should be spotlessly | | | | hurt to have a nice batch of cookies baking or some |
| clean and all clutter put away. No kids toys in the yard | | | | aromatic coffee brewing. Turn on some ambient |
| and the kids and pets should be sent somewhere else | | | | lighting, light the fireplace and make sure the house |
| for the duration of the showing. For this reason, it is | | | | looks it's best for a sure sale! |
| most convenient to book appointments on the same | | | | |