Listing appointments are more than just about the paperwork, market data and pricing. I tour the home with a buyer’s eyes pointing out things along the way that have often been there for so long the owner doesn’t even see them anymore.My suggestions start from the street, not inside the house. I tell sellers all of the time that I want the house to look ‘light, bright and happy.’ I want buyers to feel good when they visit one of my listings from the moment they pull up to the house.
Here are some tips to get your home show ready or maybe just a little happier:
Creating Curb Appeal
•Replace dead plants with flowers
•Place garbage bins and recycling containers on the side of the house or in the garage. Doing so increases curb appeal and aids in parking in front of the house.
•Put the garden hose away when not in use. Buyers don’t want to be walking over it to get to the front door.
•Paint your mail box and door knocker (if rusting) with some metallic paint.
•Replace the door mat.
•Hose off the front of the house, if needed (you can power wash but just be prepared to paint)
•Clean the gutters
•Rake and sweep dead leaves
Buyers are guests too. Make the house clean enough for company.
♦The #1 thing I want owners to do when I list a house is clean. When buyers see a 1970’s kitchen that is spotless, they comment on how clean it is. It’s a blank canvas that can be updated someday and is considered usable the way it is. When the same Buyers see a modern kitchen, that is dirty, it is a turn off. It’s funny how the brain works, it doesn’t say “I can clean this”, like you would think; instead it says “I could never cook in here”. If you don’t like to clean, hire someone – it is money well spent.
♦De-clutter kitchen counter tops by moving vitamins, medicine, knives and every appliance that is not essential into a cabinet or storage bin. The more you remove from the counter — the bigger and cleaner it will look. In the bathroom, find a new home for the toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush and makeup. Clutter becomes visual noise for buyers.
♦Organize kitchen drawers, pantries, shelves and closets. Buyers will be looking in them.
Pride of Ownership
How a seller presents a home to a buyer says a lot about how they have taken care of it. A clean, organized home shows pride of ownership which gives the buyer a bit of confidence in terms of its overall condition.
As we ring in 2015, many buyers have a new house on their list of New Year’s wishes. Historically the day after Christmas is the busiest day of the year to look of a house online. I alone, have shown 4 properties since Christmas, so buyers are out there. One of the benefits of looking this time of year is that school is still out of session in 
Buyers come back for a second showing when they really like a house. If buyers don’t like a house the first time, they don’t come back. It’s important, for a seller, to make every showing count and not to let anyone in until they are 100% ready. It is often about the little things that make a good first impression. Replacing burnt light bulbs, lampshades, throw rugs, sweeping the walkway and cleaning the windows can give a house a mini face lift and really show pride of ownership. One of the benefits of selling a home this time of year is that many of those things happen anyway.
Moving to Austin? I have selected randam subdivisions in the greater Austin area and listed some current real estate market data. Average Days on Market below 3 months are considered Seller’s markets, because homes are moving quickly. Neighborhoods with homes on the market between 3 and 6 months are considered neutral. As you can see, the 
‘Tis the season for shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning and maybe a little pepper spray in your eye. With all of the added things to find time for during the holidays, selling a home can seem an additional job we may not have time for. There are benefits though to selling during the holiday season and certainly things to be mindful of.