CEO's Message July 2017

As your Tyson Properties agent will tell you, preparing well for a show house is all important if you’re serious about selling your home.

The idea is to make sure that any photographs that have been used to market your property are as close to what potential buyers will find during a visit as possible – or, better still, that your home is even better than they expect. 

In an ideal world, the best way of doing this would be to bring in a professional home stager or interior decorator. However, we know that few people can afford this. What you can do, though, is to support your agent by doing a few of the basics. 

Make sure that all is clean and neat. It might seem hard to believe but, throughout the world, estate agents have had to contend with unmade beds, sinks full of dirty dishes, living rooms strewn with children’s discarded toys, chaotic home offices and even worse. 

It shouldn’t take too long to do a quick whip around. Make sure that carpets are vacuumed, floors have been swept and curtains and blinds are not just clean but neatly drawn. Remember that layers of dust are a number one home sale buster as are dirty rings around baths or sticky rings from cups left on tables the night before. 

It’s a good idea to go through your house room by room. Fluff up pillows and make sure that couch cushions are neatly in place, towels are folded or neatly hung up and that there are no bread crumbs on kitchen counter tops. Straighten pictures, make sure that cupboard doors and drawers are closed and that laundry is not left on the line. 

When you are cutting the clutter, please remember that out of sight is not necessarily out of mind. You cannot simply push items into already untidy cupboards – you’d be surprised how many visitors may open cupboards to get a better idea of storage space!

Also remember that bad odours are a big turn off. The obvious remedies are to repair faulty toilets, empty dustbins and remove smelly shoes. 

Pets can also be the source of bad smells so make sure that any carpets where your dogs have slept are cleaned, that lawns are clean, kitty litter trays are removed and that hamster cages are either clean or removed altogether. Remember that not everyone loves dog beds in the house, so remove them and put them in the garage. 

There’s nothing worse than a musty smell, so open windows and thoroughly air your house prior to a show day.  You could even use air neutralisers or burn some scented oils for an hour before show day – but beware of incense or strong artificial air fresheners.  

Keep the garden neat and tidy – mow lawns, weed flowerbeds, trim edges, cut back shrubs and clip hedges. On show day, rake up leaves, sweep drive ways and pathways, clean and pack away the braai, roll up hosepipes and make sure the pool is sparkling. Also, don’t forget to fill in any holes made by canine gardeners and remove bones and doggy toys. 

On the subject of pets, it’s always a good idea to try to confine boisterous dogs to a fenced off section or to have a friend or relative doggy sit for the day. Alternatively, take them with on a family outing.  

Preparing for a show day also goes beyond simply ensuring that all is spick and span. Our agents often praise those who go that extra mile putting fresh flowers in some of the rooms or colourful fruit in a bowl on the kitchen table.  Some home owners put beautiful books on the coffee table or place fresh towels, pretty soaps or plants in the bathrooms.  

Most importantly, once all the preparation is complete, don’t hang around. Treat yourself and your family to an afternoon out. That way, you won’t get in the way or try to ‘help’ your agents to do their jobs – and potential buyers can have the space to relax and explore what just may be their dream home!