Dear David,
I’ve lived in my home for 35 years. I lost my husband six months ago, and have decided to move to a nice retirement community. I put my home up for sale last week and feel like the selling process is intrusive. The stager moved a lot of my furniture into the garage, which made the house feel empty. My agent has insisted I leave the house each time there is a showing, and these appointments sometimes run longer than expected. What is the best way to handle these disruptions? – BRAVING THE CHANGES
DEAR BRAVING: I’ve often said that a week on the market can feel like a month of your life, and the frustrations you describe are part of the reason why. Change can be unsettling, especially when you’re dealing with it on your own. A heart-to-heart conversation with your Realtor may uncover some ways to make the selling process more comfortable.
It’s not unusual to be somewhat taken aback by the staging process. The purpose of staging is to make your home look spacious and neutral, so buyers can imagine themselves living in it. After spending 35 years in your house, you likely have things set up the way you like them, and may have accumulated a few extra belongings. It sounds like your stager did some decluttering to open up the space, and moved a few pieces out to the garage, which is often a convenient holding area. The effect can be unsettling at first, but staging helps your home appeal to a wide array of buyers. In all likelihood, the space you open up with staging and decluttering will equate to dollars in your pocket.
Staying home during showings will be detrimental to your sale. Early in my career, I heard an agent tell a seller that buyers don’t buy homes without closets or cabinets. He was trying to explain that buyers typically don’t feel uncomfortable looking behind closed doors while a homeowner is present, since this would normally be an invasion of the seller’s privacy. By asking you to leave the house, your agent allows prospective buyers to feel comfortable exploring your home, instead of having them rush through their appointment worried they will do or say something that offends you. Buyers are trying to rule out every home they see. By keeping the temperature perfect, avoiding dramatic cooking odours and giving buyers (and their agent) the run of the house, you provide them an opportunity to fall in love with your home and the freedom to speak about it openly.
Scheduling can sometimes be an issue. When showing homes to clients, agents often book more than one appointment in a row. They may run late if they misjudge travel times, or stay a little longer in a home the buyer likes, which is actually a very good sign.
PRO TIP: It sounds like your agent is doing everything right and just needs to explain the method behind their madness. With any luck, the minor inconveniences that come with showings will get you on the road to your new home soon. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator
David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Call or text today for your free home evaluation! 519-577-1212.
