When you’re trying to get your home sold, every showing brings a flash of excitement. You never know when it could be the one; the showing that persuades a buyer to make you a great offer.
To achieve that goal, you want to make your house as welcoming as possible. You want to be hospitable to the house hunters who enter your property… even if you’re not physically there to greet them. You want their experience to be as positive as possible.
That means making sure your house looks and smells pleasant. It also means keeping your guests safe. Indeed, accidents can happen at any time, and the last thing you want is for some kind of accident to befall your potential buyers.
The question is, what can sellers do to make their property as safe as can be? Here are a few tips.
Put Safety First at Your Next Showing
- Check the lighting. One of the most likely ways for a house hunter to get injured on your property? A simple slip and fall. These accidents tend to happen when it’s dark out; for example, during the winter season, late afternoon and early evening showings may occur in pitch black. Double check that all your outside lights are working properly, and that you have them turned on before the showing.
- Watch the walkways. It’s also possible for buyers to trip and fall on your sidewalks or walkways, especially if there is an uneven surface. If that’s the case, you may want to have some repairs made. And, during winter, it’s possible for your walkways to get slick with ice or snow. Be sure you either shovel the snow or put down some ice melt before showings.
- Inspect your steps. Stairways represent another common source of accident and injury. Do the stairs that lead to your basement have a proper handrail? Are any of the steps on your back deck loose or rickety? Inspect your steps thoroughly and make sure you don’t have any obvious safety concerns.
- Remove tripping hazards. When it comes to selling your own property, one of the most important things you can do is declutter. This is partly because it helps your home look clean and well-organized, and it maximizes the available space. But it also minimizes any tripping hazards. This is an especially big concern for sellers who have young kids or pets; either way, you’ll want to double check that there aren’t loose toys on the floor.
- Beware of dog. Speaking of pets: Do you have a dog who could become scared and potentially lash out at a house hunter? For most dogs, this isn’t really a worry, but if you know your pet has some tendencies toward aggression, you’ll want to make sure they aren’t around when you show the house.
- Safeguard your valuables. We would always recommend that cash, jewelry, and prescription drugs be placed somewhere safe, secure, and out of sight. This is largely to protect you from theft, but it may also keep your guests from feeling uncomfortable in any way.
- Put away anything dangerous. Naturally, you’ll also want to make sure any firearms, knives, or other dangerous implements are placed somewhere guests won’t see them. Along the same lines, ensure your lawn maintenance equipment and power tools are properly turned off and stored.
- Turn the lights on. We mentioned outside lighting above, but it’s also important to ensure proper illumination in the house. You don’t want to run the risk of a buyer with subpar vision falling, tripping, or bumping their head. Natural light is best, but if it’s insufficient in a particular room, make sure you have some lamps turned on.
These are just a few house selling tips for buyers looking to put safety first.
Ready for More House Selling Tips?
Safety is just one concern among many when you’re trying to get your house sold. Whether you’re selling your own property or working with an agent, we invite you to request a free seller’s report today. It’s the best way to make a fully informed decision about listing your home. Get your free report from SOLD.com at your next convenience.