Selling a home in South Lake Tahoe can feel annoying at times. First, there is the prep work to get it in “showing condition”, and then you have to keep it clean and get out of your houses last second for showings. All while trying to live your daily life. Even if you are incredibly laid back, you may feel like losing your cool at least a couple times throughout the process. So after all the legwork to get the home ready, can’t you just put your feet up and wait for it to sell? Not always. Read on for some potential missteps when selling your South Lake Tahoe real estate!
Showing No Shows
Yes. This happens. Thankfully, not often. However, if it is a snowy Saturday and you woke up early to get the home spic and span for a showing only to have them not show up? Well that could make anyone a little cranky. While sharing your true feelings will do more harm than good, your South Lake Tahoe realtor can ask the potential buyers agent why they didn’t show up and if they will be coming through. They can also share that you won’t be stood up twice. After all, if the buyers love the home they likely will want to make a good impression. Also, keep in mind, there could be a good explanation for why they didn’t show up.
Last-minute showings
Speaking of showings, there is always a last minute one. Even if the instructions ask for a certain amount of notice, there is always that one buyer who wants to see your house last second. With South Lake Tahoe real estate being a second resort market, we get a lot of people who come up last minute or see your house driving through the neighborhood and want to tour before heading back to the Bay area. If you want your South Lake Tahoe real estate sold, it is best to stay flexible. Your home for sale in Lake Tahoe may be in complete disarray for whatever reason so tidy up as quickly as you can and just let the South Lake Tahoe realtor know that because it was last second you didn’t get as much time to prep. In most scenarios, people will understand. I always recommend that people de-clutter, donate and start packing before they list so that when these situations arise, you are a little more prepared. Also designate a couple large storage bins with lids for a “catch all”. People will open the closets, but they won’t open up your personal property…….usually.
Getting your pets out of the home
It is hard enough getting you and your loved ones out the door, but what about your furry family members? You really shouldn’t leave these ones lounging around the house for multiple reasons. The buyers could accidentally let them out. They could be allergic or scared so they either don’t see the house or they rush through and can’t soak up all that your home has to offer. Your dog may be the sweetest animal ever, but if you aren’t home and strangers come through, they could feel protective and go on the defense. Your pet means you are liable. Luckily, there are a few ways you can handle this. You can take them with you. You can coordinate temporary pet care via a local animal sitting service. You can put them in a crate or kennel out back or in the garage and specify that in the marketing remarks. Regardless, be sure to ask your realtor what the best protocol is for handling your pets while selling.
Leaving your home clean and coming home to a mess
Occasionally people will come through in large groups or let their children run amuck in your South Lake Tahoe real estate. Most of the time your home is how you left it. Other times you can clearly tell that some younger children were having fun with the blinds. If nothing else, their agent should (key word here) restore the home how they found it. However, if you REALLY need your home to stay in pristine condition, your South Lake Tahoe realtor can specify your requests in the agent only remarks on the listing agreement. You can specify no large groups, no pets that aren’t service animals or children under a certain age. Just proceed with caution before you make potential buyers feel like they are being singled out.
Coming home to property damage
This one is VERY rare! But it can happen. This could be anything: something working before you left to all of a sudden being out of commission once you get home, damage from crawling through the attic or a family heirloom broken due to accident. Whatever it is, it is well within your rights to ask what happened. Thankfully home owner’s insurance can come to the rescue for most situations. For the irreplaceable valuables, I always recommend folks put those items away before listing. After all, you will be having strangers tour your home so you really never can be too safe.
Coming home to your door unlocked with all the lights on
There is nothing worse than coming home to finding your house has not only been left unsecured and the lights have been left on all day long. Once again, your South Lake Tahoe realtor can specify instructions in the listing agreement but you can leave a sign by the front door as a friendly reminder.
For more information on what to expect when you are listing, give me a call and let’s talk about the listing process.
