Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Calendar: Thursday, Oct. 9 Ashland land use rule review continues Council backs bump in tax to support buses Travel expert touts pot legalization From 'drug house' to spa Education Building + cooking + eating = learning Students to 'Read More For Jack Dorr' Budget committee members needed Fighting back against hackers SOU wants its students to love Ashland Environment Fires and forests evolved together, but now people are in the mix Marijuana growers are threat to salmon, biologists conclude Annual tour shows how to live green Taking action here, now on global climate change Garden serves up a feast fit for monarchs Business Ashland land use rule review continues From 'drug house' to spa Universal Rites Tattoo Greg Zyla: 1959 430 V-8 Thunderbird owner seeks information Silvio Calabi: Nissan’s Taxi of Tomorrow Politics and elections Ashland land use rule review continues Council backs bump in tax to support buses Travel expert touts pot legalization Videos of local candidate forums airing now on TV Election officials fine Richardson for late reporting of rent-free home State News Nation - World Obituaries Lester "Les" Nugent No farewells were spoken Death Notices Norman Kenneth Mainwaring Death Notices Sports Latest Stories Ashland eases past Eagle Point again, keeps streak alive Balanced Grizzlies shred Comets in MWL blowout It ain't over 'til it's over in the Pac-12 SOU volleyball team up to No. 11 SOU offense looks to catch up with defense in final home stand High school Ashland eases past Eagle Point again, keeps streak alive Balanced Grizzlies shred Comets in MWL blowout SOU volleyball team up to No. 11 Grizzlies keep rolling in MWL opener Pitcher Guthrie's donation boosts new field fund Southern Oregon University Ashland eases past Eagle Point again, keeps streak alive It ain't over 'til it's over in the Pac-12 SOU volleyball team up to No. 11 SOU offense looks to catch up with defense in final home stand No. 11 SOU heads to Klamath Falls with eyes on first place Opinion Latest Stories Our View: A delicate balance downtown Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Into the heart of darkness Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Granlund cartoon: Border signs Editorial Our View: A delicate balance downtown Our View: Great public effort makes for great public space Our View: Our View SOU control shifts downstate Our view: SOU reaches out to downtown Letters Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 6 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 3 Guest opinions Into the heart of darkness Herb Rothschild: Peace begins at the table City still ignores Plaza suggestions Us versus them Remembering a very prominent local lady Revels Latest Stories Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Works in progress (No heading) Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity 'Gone Girl' is a dark, twisting winner Theater Camelot Theatre presents 'Spotlight on Johnny Mercer' Southern Oregon hosts its Lunacy Theatre Festival Friends of Jim Giancarlo remember Ashland theater icon Music Q&A: Band du Pays Swing The Farr Side: Bennett-Gaga collaboration is a cross-generational gem Rogue Valley Symphony opens its 2014-15 season Q&A: Nacosta Muscian's career spins back through Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas 'Gone Girl' is a dark, twisting winner Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas New script for film ordinance sent back to rewrite Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Oct. 10-12) Lost in Suburbia: Scaring up a good Halloween costume How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Dave Ramsey: Should we rehab home to sell it? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW Our View: A delicate balance downtown ... Into the heart of darkness ... Calendar: Oct. 8 ... Our View: A delicate balance downtown ... Into the heart of darkness ... Calendar: Oct. 8 ... Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings By Richard Montgomery More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Oct. 8, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Oct. 8, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News Reader question: We recently put our home on the market, and our first showing is scheduled for tomorrow. We asked our agent what we should do to get ready and the response was, “Just make sure to tidy up a bit.” It seemed to us that there must be more to a showing. Is that all there is to it? Bryan and Jasmine C. Monty’s answer: Showing a home to a prospective buyer requires “tidying up,” but there is more to exhibiting your product starting when they pull up at the curb. Imagine the prospect walking into your home with a magnifying glass ready to examine every nook and cranny. Even if the magnifying glass is not physically visible, it is present with every prospective home buyer. That’s why it is smart to present your home in the most appealing way possible in order to gain that competitive edge. Look at it like this: the prospect is not there to buy your home; the prospect is there to eliminate it. They buy the home they can’t eliminate. Put on a good show As a home seller, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. You must put your best foot forward because “even the little things mean a lot.” There are steps you can take to help your home pass the prospect’s scrutiny and put on a good show. You will find the time, effort and “elbow grease” you put into each home show­ing will be well worth it. It helps portray a feeling of pride in ownership, which is one of the main features prospective buyers are seeking. Check please Always remember to take an inspection tour of your home before each showing. This easy-to-use checklist should help you get ready for an effective home showing. ___ Make sure the lawn was cut and shrubs and bushes were trimmed. ___ In cold climates, make sure snow and ice are removed. In dusty climates, sweep walks. ___ Make certain kitchens and bathrooms sparkle. ___ Remove debris laying on floors. (the less clutter, the better, and the roomier your home will look). ___ Straighten closets and cabinets, and be sure windows and other visible areas are clean. ___ Be sure the front door and foyer are clean. ___ Keep pets and children out of the way; preferably out of the house. ___ Make certain bedrooms are clean, and beds were made. ___ Do not be home. Your presence restricts the prospect in sharing their reactions with the agent. ___ Keep the home bright and cheery (drapes open by day and closed at night. All lights on daytime or nighttime.) ___ Play “easy listening” music softly. ___ Thin your furniture and accessories if necessary. ___ Remove the source of unpleasant odors and air out the house. A strategically placed unscented candle may help. By improving the appearance of your home, you improve its saleability. You will find the time and effort you invest will be well worth the energy. Additional tips VALUABLES: Cases of theft and breakage are extremely rare, but they can occur. We suggest that you not “tempt” anyone and be sure to put cash, valuables and heirlooms away either while the home is for sale or before each showing. LOCKBOX: A metal lockbox is used to keep the key to your home at your home. Locking the key on the premises cuts down on the possibility of losing your house key, and allows agents to show your home more often and conveniently. SHOWING TIMES: The agent should give you enough notice, so your home will be prepared. We recommend 24 hours. Occasionally, the agent may decide to take a calculated risk and give a potential buyer a short notice showing. The agent will give you the option of showing your home to the prospect in this fashion. INCONVENIENCE: It can be frustrating for the prospect to appear at the wrong time or not at all. Although an infrequent occurrence, there is usually a legitimate reason. Most potential buyers realize you spent time preparing and have the courtesy to adhere to the appointment time. First impressions Experience demonstrates that first impressions, whether positive or negative, are lasting. You already invested in a clean up, paint up, and fix up to position your home for sale. Now, make each first impression your home receives a positive one. A clean, comfortable home-showing can make the difference and tip the scale in your favor. Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. You can ask him questions at DearMonty.com. By Richard Montgomery More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Oct. 8, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501