Showing Your Property
It's the realtor's job to sell your home, not yours. To improve the chances of your home selling quickly, you must make it available, as well as presentable. Some homeowners make the mistake of making their property available for preview "by appointment only." This is a bad idea because many realtors simply skip those homes and proceed to homes of more cooperative sellers. Buyers may call their realtors on the spur of the moment hoping to preview homes; if you're isn't available, they might skip it, and you've just lost an opportunity to sell it.

When the realtor lists your home, she will place a lockbox somewhere on your property to make it easy for other realtors to visit. Only realtors are able to access the lockbox. It is illegal for a realtor to give your key to a prospective buyer.

Most realtors will call and provide advance notice when they are bringing a buyer by. However, sometimes it's only a few minutes' notice. Most realtors leave a card on a prominent countertop so you know someone's been in the home.

Try not to be home when a realtor comes by. The buyer will feel like an intruder, and if you're there, he might not stay as long. The longer the buyer is in your home, the more likely he is to notice the things he likes about it. When you know someone is on the way over, leave. Go out for coffee or take a walk in the park. Run an errand. If you have to be there, try not to interfere. The realtor knows best what his buyer is looking for; any information you offer will probably be irrelevant. It might also make the buyer feel uncomfortable to have you following him around the house. However, be available for questions should they have any.

Try to eliminate or minimize any bad odors, such as smoke or pet odors. Do not use scented sprays-they are too strong. If you'd like to create a pleasant odor, put a drop of vanilla on a burner for a few seconds. This will make the house smell of cooking, which is a welcoming scent. Take out the garbage daily and if you have pets, try to keep them outside as much as possible. Vacuum often and use baking soda on the carpets.

Straighten up as much as possible. Make sure beds are made and clutter is out of sight. Run a duster around the house if you have time before the realtor comes by.

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