Selling your house? The quickest and most effective way to get exposure is to put it on show, as show houses often lead to a quick sale and you’re more likely to get a market-related price for your property.
A show day exposes your property to a large audience, which can make an effective comparison with other similarly priced properties.
Houses that are not put on show take longer to sell and can become over-exposed. This means that the seller will often have to drop the price to get a sale.
Why are show houses so effective?
“The wise buyer wants to open cupboard doors, turn on taps and inspect aspects of a house close up,” says Jason Rohde, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty South Africa.
“A show day allows potential buyers to wonder through your home at their own pace and under no obligation. It also offers them an opportunity to compare a home with other show houses in the vicinity while their experiences are still fresh in their minds.”
Rohde says that while private viewings also provide potential buyers with an opportunity to see and experience a home, they are limited by a number of factors.
“Usually there’s a lot more admin, liaison and legwork involved in taking potential buyers through a home on an individual basis. This can delay the selling process. For a start, there’s the juggling of schedules between the agent, the buyer and the seller, and often, private viewings have to be done after hours, which can be an intrusion for the seller. Of course, there are also advantages to seeing a home in the day, with natural light.
“Sometimes it is impossible for everyone on the ‘buying team’ to be available at the same time, which means that individual visits by a wife and then a husband for instance have to be planned. With a show house on a Sunday, you are more likely to get them there together.
“Getting a home ready for inspection also requires some preparation and sellers are not always in a position, or have the time, to prepare for ad hoc visits as they arise.
“People also feel less restrained to inspect a home closely without the seller on the property or the agent in toe.”
There are times, though, when a show house is not effective — hosting a show day during school holidays is not a good idea, and rainy days can put a damper on turnout. When a property is in poor or unfinished condition, the seller should think of repairing and upgrading it first, before putting it on show.
Read more news, blogs, tips and Q&As in our Smart Money section. Post questions on the site for independent and researched information