Walking the home of your dreams for the first time or searching through e-listings is an exciting rite of passage when on the hunt for real estate but as the seller, that means preparing for photoshoots and repeated last-minute tours. Over the years, the average home buyer pays an in-person or e-visit to multiple homes before making a formal offer. That number has changed in light of the pandemic — properties stayed on the market for an average of only 17 days in May, according to the National Association of Realtors.
While open houses and private tours may not sound that bad, they can actually be incredibly inconvenient, not to mention time-consuming. Those who go the traditional route should brace for a bumpy ride.
Preparing your space takes work
Before a tour, it’s usually expected that you will clean your home and make it presentable. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, this requires much more work than your average tidying effort. Things need to be immaculate. To properly set up your home so it’s truly open house or tour worthy, you should:
● Clean all surfaces, paying special attention to countertops, appliances, windows, and floors
● Declutter. Remove all tchotchkes, children’s toys, and personal items to give the space a minimalist feel
● Take away extra furniture and only leave the essentials, such as a sofa, bed, and dining room table
● Let in natural light and turn on overhead lights
● Create a clear walking path throughout the home; you don’t want it to feel cramped
That’s just the beginning. If you want to go above and beyond these preparations, The Balance recommends:
● Removing vehicles from your driveway to make space for buyers
● Serving refreshments and snacks
● Playing soft music to create ambiance
● Displaying photos of your home in different seasons
No one has the time or patience to do this when each tour is scheduled. Between work, taking care of the kids, and running after pets, it’s just not feasible. While it’s possible to hire companies to help, this added expense may not fit into your budget.
Disruptions are a common occurrence
On the topic of your routine, there’s nothing routine about open houses and tours, particularly when it comes to when they’re scheduled. Those birthday decorations you spent so much time putting up may need to be tucked away for an open house the next day.
With your home on the market, you may be surprised by how many tours are scheduled over the weekend. While this may be convenient for the buyer who has the day off, it means you need to pack up your family for the day and leave your home spotless for the visitors … often for hours at a time. This may be fun for a few weekends, but the novelty factor wears out quickly.
Having strangers in your home isn’t ideal
Finally, we can’t end this list without mentioning the fact that during tours and open houses, you’re welcoming strangers into your space. On tours, potential buyers are usually accompanied by their agents. While you may never meet with them directly, it can leave you feeling uneasy knowing people you don’t know have walked through your space.
On the other hand, during an open house, you may be involved in the selling process. As you stand by ready to answer any questions and market your space, it can be equally uncomfortable to come face to face with people you don’t know, especially during these times.
Imagine having the peace of mind that your home could be sold without all of this trouble. Or make it a reality by going through Bungalo.
Choose Bungalo
Are you ready to sell your home fast without inconvenient home tours? You can trust Bungalo to buy your home for cash within two weeks — quicker than what it takes just to get your property prepared for an open house.
We understand that life is full of surprises, many of them unpleasant; that’s why we make it easy to sell your home quickly so the only surprises you get from us are the ones that put a smile on your face. In a couple of weeks, you can have the cash in hand for whatever you need without the hassle of making your home pristine for potential buyers. Close the door on open houses by going through Bungalo.
Contact us today to learn more.
This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, real estate, insurance, or investment advice. Bungalo always encourages you to reach out to an advisor regarding your own situation.
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