IT was in the early days of our real estate career, and we had arrived at one of our listings for an open home showing.
The owners had moved interstate, so the house was empty.
Our plan was to open the windows and blinds, turn on lights where needed, put out property brochures etc in readiness for prospective buyer viewings.
Suddenly, a whopping big dog comes running into the house and is running all over the open area.
Brian and I start running behind it, trying to shoo it out of the place.
And then I realise that the dog is bleeding and leaving big red bloody pawprints all over the nice tile floors.
Brian tries to catch the dog to help it, but it runs out of the house and shoots through down the road.
So now we’re left to clean up all this blood before people arrive, and we realise that all we have with us is one tiny purse pack of tissues.
Brian checks the car – nothing.
So, two grown-up agents were busy on the floor with the tiny tissues cleaning up the floor.
We learnt a lot that day.
Like keeping an “agent go bag” in the boot of the car with rags and other bits and pieces for such days.
Conducting open homes for our clients is one of our tools of trade.
They say that presentation is everything, and it is.
So, we encourage our clients to clear as many surfaces as possible, pack up any additional stuff hanging around, mow the lawns and give the place a clean before we arrive.
When a place is empty, we quite often recommend staging it to give prospective buyers a feel for how spaces can be used – if we feel it will maximise the dollar return for the property.
And that is the crux of it.
The market is wobbling now, so showing your property at its best will ensure the best sales return.
Some people do not have the physical or financial wherewithal to clean up their act.
There are companies that can finance this and others that can provide physical services and be paid once your property settles.
We have sold all manner of houses, from beautiful pristine homes to bedraggled homes that have seen better days.
If you’d like some advice on how to present your property and what assistance is out there, give us a call or pop in and see us.
Lorraine and Brian Martin at ONE AGENCY The Martins Real Estate Bayside – Capalaba Park Shopping Centre.
