Etiquette Tips for Selling Your House

Selling your home is undeniably stressful, and rude behavior makes the process even more aggravating and potentially less profitable. An impolite seller might agitate their agent and make them less likely to work as hard for the best sale, and rudeness can also put off potential buyers, however unintentionally.

Proper Etiquette for Selling Your Home

Following proper etiquette through all the stages of selling your home can help make the process less stressful and easier for everyone involved.

Listing Your Home for Sale

When you first agree to list your home for sale, whether you are selling it yourself or working with a seller's agent, being polite gets you off on the right foot for a profitable, easy sale.

• Choose a realistically optimistic sales price. Every seller wants to make a good deal, but an improbably high price disrespects the agent's expertise and recommendations and reduces the chances of a good sale.
• Fully disclose any issues with the house or neighborhood. Every seller needs to complete a list of seller disclosures about the condition of the property, including known issues and recent repairs. Be as thorough as possible to avoid problems and headaches later. Similarly, disclose any necessary information about the neighborhood, such as busy streets, school zones, or home owners' associations. Failing to disclose this information might jeopardize a sale later on.
• Be ready to have the house photographed and shown immediately. The first few days after a home is listed for sale are often the most active for showings, and it is polite to be ready for that activity right away. If your home is already staged when you fill out listing paperwork, it will also be easier for the agent to take photographs to accompany listings or brochures.

When Your Home is On the Market

By following proper etiquette during the days, weeks, and months that your home is on the market, you make it easier for the home to be attractively shown and to keep it attracting prospective buyers.

• Keep lawn care done more effectively than you might normally to increase the home's curb appeal and catch the eyes of possible buyers.
• Inform your agent immediately if your information box is low on flyers so the supply can be replenished before it is empty.
• Let your agent know about any community issues that may impact showings or exposure, such as road closures, festivals, parades, or parking.

During Showings

It can be inconvenient for home sellers to have many showings, but each one brings a different potential buyer into your house and gives them their first impression of what may become their new home. Following proper etiquette gives buyers the best possible view so they will consider your house seriously.

• If possible, be absent during showings so the buyer does not feel intimidated or uncomfortable. Ideally, leave before the showing is scheduled to begin, and do not return until you are positive the buyers have left.
• If you have pets, have them safely contained out of the buyer's way and leave a prominent note explaining where the pets are, such as asking that the back door not be opened because of a dog.
• Be as flexible as possible for scheduled showings. They may be early in the morning or late in the evening, or you may have multiple showings in a single day, but treat each one as a new opportunity to showcase your home at its finest. Refusing a showing may mean refusing a sale, as buyers may not return for a rescheduled opportunity.
• Inform your agent right away if there are times or dates where you will be unable or unwilling to allow showings, such as for illness, special events, or other extenuating circumstances.

Open Houses

If your agent will hold an open house, it is essential to follow proper home seller etiquette so the event is as well attended and attractive as possible.

• Be absent during the open house, preferably leaving well before it is scheduled to start and not returning for at least half an hour after it ends to allow latecomers plenty of time to view the home.
• If possible, remove pets from the property entirely during open house events. If necessary, consider day boarding at kennels, or ask a neighbor or friend to house the pet temporarily so it will not disturb the visitors.
• Post signs in the neighborhood at critical intersections to guide prospective buyers to the open house. Many people will stop by open houses they didn't know where scheduled if they happen to see one under way, and even that inadvertent visit may lead to a sale.
• Inform your neighbors of the time and date of the open house a few days in advance so they will be aware of the incoming crowd. They may also be able to spread the word to their friends and family members about the open house, drawing even more visitors.
• Remove all your vehicles from the property if possible to make the garage and driveway empty for viewing and parking. While open house visitors will not park in the garage, street and driveway spaces will be at a premium during a busy open house, and the more parking you have available the more potential buyers can see the home.

Under Contract

When you have accepted an offer and your house is now under contract to be sold, the time for proper home seller etiquette has not ended. Sales can fall apart for many reasons, and rude behavior might convince a timid buyer to seek a deal on a different house instead.

• Respect your seller's agent and make no attempt to cut them out of the deal if you are approached directly by a buyer's agent. In many states, doing this would be illegal and could invalidate your sale, and it is impolite to ignore the hard work your agent has done to sell your home.
• Be flexible with the time for the buyer's inspection and make it as easy as possible for the inspector to do a thorough job inspecting the house. This allows the buyer to feel more comfortable with their purchase, making a collapse of the deal less likely.
• Meet all your paperwork deadlines well within their time limits. This eases pressure on the agent and allows the sale to progress without delays or tight schedules. While there may be some flexibility with the schedule, lengthy delays can be costly and may even result in legal charges against an impolite seller.

When Your Home is Sold

When it is time for you to move out and hand over the keys to the house's new owner, there both polite and impolite ways to leave. Etiquette-savvy sellers will smooth the transition by following the proper polite guidelines.

• Leave the home "broom clean" and ready for the buyer to move in. By definition, the home should be in the condition it was maintained for regular showings, with no surprise stains or new damage. Take pains to leave the home clean and make it welcoming for the new owners, and you'll feel better about leaving.
• Leave all appliance instruction books for the buyer if the appliances are staying with the home, including instructions for sprinkler systems, garage door openers, fireplaces, and other equipment. Placing these books on a counter or in another highly visible area will help the new owners learn to use all the features of their home more quickly.
• Write a brief note to the new owners with any vital information such as trash day, lock keypad numbers, or other necessities they will need to know. This can be as simple as a quick sticky note left on the refrigerator, but it is a polite way to help new owners adjust to the home and neighborhood.
• Cancel any home-related services such as an alarm system, lawn care, or newspaper delivery. This will prevent you from paying for services you are no longer using and eliminates confusion if the buyers wish to implement their own services. You can leave a business card for the relevant companies on a counter if you wish, in case the new owner wishes to resume services under their name.
• Make sure the lawn is mowed a day or two before you move out so the home looks its best when it welcomes a new owner.
• Remove all trash from the property and empty the trash can if possible. It may be necessary to leave some trash behind in the can if your trash day has passed, but be sure to leave plenty of room for the trash the new owners will have as they unpack.
• Set up a mail forwarding address a day or two before you move to ensure that no extra mail is improperly delivered. The new owner is under no obligation to forward mail to you, and taking this step keeps their mailbox uncluttered and ensures you don't miss any important mailings.
• Write a thank you note to your agent to acknowledge the effort they put in to helping you sell your home. Without their expertise, you may not have gotten as good a deal or sold your home as quickly, and saying thank you is the least you can do. If you are very happy with their work, ask for several business cards so you can pass them out to family members and friends who may also need an agent.

From first listing your home for sale to the day you move out, following proper etiquette is essential. Being polite will help you make it through this stressful transition more easily and more profitably, and you will be able to move to your new home feeling happier and more satisfied with your decision.