By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
At REALTOR® Magazine online this month, you’ll find a list of the top 10 worst showing offenses your home sellers can make. The list was culled from the most common responses of more than 50 buyer agents who shared what they’ve witnessed in touring homes with their clients.
But kitty litter boxes and dirty dishes in the sink aside, some buyer agents say they’ve seen much worse when touring homes with their clients. Here are some of the “Hall of Fame” of worst showing offenses. Be sure to chime in below with the worst offenses you’ve witnessed too!
Hide the ‘Body Bag’ Before the Showing
“The worst thing I ever witnessed during a showing was seeing a full body bag on the floor of the master bedroom closet. I was showing a home to a couple and their 10-year-old daughter. The wife opened the master bedroom closet and screamed when she saw a full body bag. Upon further inspection by myself and the husband, we discovered the body bag was packed with clothing for storage purposes. Still, it was extremely creepy. Needless to say, they did not purchase that home. Now I jokingly warn all my sellers to put away the body bags before the house goes on the market.”
–Shannon Register, broker-owner of Register Real Estate Advisors, Spring, Texas
By G. M. Filisko, contributing writer, HouseLogic
Showings typically take place during the day, but you can help sellers make their home stand out by suggesting exterior lighting that will not only improve security but also highlight the elegance of their home and its landscaping in the twilight.
For tips on boosting outdoor lighting for safety and curb appeal, head to the REALTOR® Content Resource, the new tool powered by HouseLogic, where your NAR membership entitles you to download free homeownership content for your consumer Web site, blog, or e-newsletter. Here are just a few of the tips available now:
Strive for a “moonlight effect.” This naturalistic look features light no more intense than that of a full moon, but strong enough to make beautiful shadows and intense highlights.
Highlight trees. Whether illumined from below or given presence by a light mounted in the tree itself, trees make stunning features. Continue reading »
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