"Plans are only good intentions unless they

If you want to sell your house or condo, you need to make it as

convenient as possible for potential buyers to view. That's a

given. The market can move fast these days, and you don't want

home shoppers and their agents to move onto other interesting

opportunities just because they can't get in to see yours.

So how do you make your property available for viewing, while

minimizing the inconvenience to you and your family?

One of the most effective ways to ensure ease of access is to

put a lock box near your front door. This allows agents to show

your property as soon as they hear from interested homebuyers

- striking while the iron is hot.

Without a lock box, an appointment would have to be

scheduled. The delay could stifle buyer momentum. Worse,

many home shoppers may skip your property in favour of

others they can see right away.

Rest assured, REALTORS® are professionals and will respect

your privacy and the security of your property. Working with

your REALTOR®, you can set rules regarding when and under

what circumstances they may enter for viewing. (For example,

"Tuesdays to Thursdays, 12pm-3pm & Saturdays 10am-4pm".)

When potential buyers visit, they often feel like intruders. It's

awkward for them - and you - if you are at home. So, if

possible, take your family to the park, a movie, or a local coffee

shop during scheduled viewing times.

Another great strategy is to plan viewings around your

schedule, at times when you're out of the house anyway. If you

take your kids to soccer on Saturday afternoons, make your

property available for viewing during that same time period.

With a little planning, you can maximize the number of

viewings, with minimal inconvenience to you and your family.

This will greatly increase your chances of selling sooner, and for

the best price.

Need more tips on showing your home? Call today!

In most communities, garbage day isn't

every week. So, if you show your house on

day five or six, there's going to be some

accumulation! Here are some things you can

do before a viewing to make sure this

situation doesn't trash a potential sale.

• If possible, make sure all garbage

containers, including waste paper

baskets, are empty.

• Since compost and cat litter bags can

smell even when tied securely, put them

in a covered bin in the garage or outside

at the side of your house.

• Check around your property for

accumulated debris, such as old lumber.

If you've been planning a trip to the

dump someday, today is that day.

In addition, make sure garbage containers in

the kitchen and bathroom have new plastic

bag inserts. You may go through more than

usual, but it will be worth it.

Not intended to cause or induce the breach of, cancellation of, assignment of, or to interfere in any way with the existing agency agreement of another Realtor.