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Showing Your House

You only get one chance to make a first impression

When showing your house, you only get one chance for a first impression.

When showing your house, you only get one chance for a first impression.

Once your house is on the market, prospective buyers and their agents will begin to view the property. It’s important to keep your house “show ready” at all times. You only get one chance for a first impression, so you want prospective buyers to get a warm and welcoming feeling from the moment they arrive.

If you’re no longer residing in the house, we’ll invite agents to bring prospective buyers at their convenience, and I will secure a “lockbox” somewhere on your property that contains a key. Only licensed agents will be able to gain access and show your house to their clients.

Like they say in the Boy Scouts, “Be Prepared”

If you’re still residing in the house, it’s best to be as flexible as possible and ready to accommodate buyers, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Most agents will call and give at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will likely just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it might be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your house.

Before each showing:

  • Open shades and window coverings to let light in; this also makes rooms feel larger;
  • Turn on lights;
  • Remove all clutter from kitchen and bathroom counters, especially personal care items;
  • If you have kids, keep any toys confined to the children’s rooms, preferably placed on shelves, in toy chests or in closets;
  • If you have pets, store away toys, hide pet beds, and spray freshener before leaving or use “plug-ins”.

Also, chilled bottled water (in the refrigerator if the house is vacant, or left on the counter just before you exit) with a “help yourself” note is a nice touch and will leave buyers with a positive impression.

If the house is vacant, be sure to keep the air conditioning set at a comfortable temperature. A cool home is a respite from the Arizona heat and will encourage prospective buyers to linger and fully appreciate its features.

Make yourself scarce!

When you do have a scheduled showing, try not to be home. Buyers will feel like intruders if you’re home when they visit, and your presence will distract them from taking the time necessary to fully appreciate the home’s best features. If you absolutely cannot leave, I recommend sitting out on the patio while buyers are inside, and then retreating out-of-the way area of the house while the buyers are viewing the exterior. Do not volunteer any information about your home, but do answer any questions the buyer’s agent might ask.

Don’t leave pets behind

If you have pets, it’s best to take them with you, or put them in a kennel, while buyers are touring your house. No matter how friendly your pets might be, you’ll want to keep them safe and secure.

You’re likely to see most activity in the first few weeks you’re on the market, and that’s because buyers and agents who are currently looking for homes in the area are intrigued each time a new house is listed, especially when active buyers have not yet found that perfect new home for them. However, new buyers enter the market every day, so no matter how much time has passed, it’s important to keep your house tidy and “show ready.”

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Client

TESTIMONIALS

"Russ Fortuno is a 5-Star professional who I highly recommend without reservation. He is knowledgeable, experienced, prompt, efficient, polite, fair, honest, and very personable. We interviewed four real estate agents and he was far and above the most experienced, proficient, and knowledgeable. He gave us excellent advice on how to prepare the house for the market, and directed us on having an estate sale. He sold our house in Green Valley, AZ before it even went on the market, and did an excellent job negotiating a fair price. Our entire family was thrilled with the service he provided to us. You cannot go wrong with Russ Fortuno."
- N. T., Highland Park, IL
"Russ has done excellent work for us. I have purchased several homes over the years and he is the best I have worked with. We chose Russ on a recommendation from a family member. He didn’t try to sell us on him or his firm. No “fluff talk”, pestering, unnecessary calls, emails or text. Instead, he showed us properties we were interested in and some that we were not aware of. Never felt the least bit of pressure. He was very patient, pleasant and responsive. He has a very relaxed yet professional style. He explained everything in a manner that was easy to understand and we felt very secure throughout the process. He is the best ever. In our mind he is the gold standard of what a Realtor should be."
- N.L., Green Valley AZ
"Anytime, anywhere, he was there, always going the extra mile. He even came to the house and watered trees so they would not die — more then once. He’s what you call real professional, a 10.5 on a 10 scale. I was out of town when the house was listed so he went to the house and did a video. I didn’t see a dishwasher, he said “yes it was there.” That was good enough for me, but he went to house and took picture to show me. He kept me informed every step of the process, and followed-up to ask if I had any questions."
- G.M., Sandpoint ID
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Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and year-round Green Valley resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in the Green Valley or Sahuarita area, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
Contact Russ

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