Showing Your Home

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions.

The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior, so:

  • Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting.
  • Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn.
  • Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear.
  • Add vibrant plants and put down some fresh mulch.

Accentuate the Positive.

"How we live in a home and how we sell a home are often two different things." Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

  • Keep windows and floors clean.
  • Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall.
  • Repair worn woodwork.
  • Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color.
  • Steam clean carpeting or replace it, if necessary.
  • Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws.
  • Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.

Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

  • Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the showing.
  • Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic, basement and closets to better display spacious rooms (consider storage or a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items).
  • Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture. Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom. Use candles or air fresheners to make the room smell pleasant.

Put Your Home in the best possible light.

Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each room, so:

  • Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed out and lifeless.
  • Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger, and large rooms seem more intimate.
  • Use lighting to highlight the "living areas" of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table in a breakfast area.

Inside:

  • Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.
  • Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn't been used for three months…put it away!
  • Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps buyers mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)
  • In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes, perfumes, etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.
  • Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling, we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
  • Take down or rearrange certain pictures or object on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
  • Review the house inside room by room. Paint any room needing paint, clean carpets or drapes that need it, clean windows.
  • Leave on certain lights during the day. During "showings" turn on all lights and lamps.
  • Have stereo FM on during the day for all viewings.
  • Lockbox--#1 Importance: "If we don't have it, they won't show it."

Outside:

  • Trim landscaping to reveal architectural detail (bottom of windows, etc.). "If they can't see it, we can't sell it."
  • Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.
  • Check gutters and/or roof for dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.
  • Look at all plants…prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. "You can't sell a house if you can't see it." Plants are like children-they grow so fast!!
  • Weed and then bark all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.
  • Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys, etc. (Put them in the garage).
  • Check paint condition of the house-especially the front door and trim. "Curb appeal really works!"

In General

Try to look at your house "through the buyer's eyes" as though you've never seen it or been there before. Any time or money spent on these items will bring you back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale.

Nine Minute Showing Drill

Occasionally you will receive a call to schedule a showing to take place within the next few minutes. The following is a checklist for this type of panic:

  1. Sound: Turn off the television and tune the radio (low volume) to a soft rock, middle of the road or classic rock station.
  2. Sight: Turn on every light in the house (day or night) and open every drape and blind (day time only).
  3. Odors: Heat some frozen pastry slowly in the oven or heat a pan on the stove and then drop in a few drops of vanilla.
  4. Kitchen: Wipe kitchen counters, place dirty dishes in dishwasher.
  5. Bathrooms: Wipe counters, flush and close toilets.
  6. Living/Family Rooms: Hide magazines, newspapers, and games; remove clutter.
  7. Bedrooms: Straighten beds. Hide clutter under bed (not in closet).
  8. Exterior: Put away toys and clutter. Keep walk clear.
  9. Children & Pets: They are a distraction, so send them outside.
  10. Goodbye: Sorry, but this is the single most important thing you can do in a showing to help sell your home! Even if the showing agent insists that it is okay to stay, you must leave. Buyers must get emotionally committed to your home to buy it and they cannot become emotional about "their new home" if you, the current owners, are "hanging around." Please, at the very least, go into the backyard. Even better, go to the store.
Client Testimonial
"After looking back at the deal, the negotiations, home inspections, repair request list, helping communicate to lenders, getting us to closing on my dream home, I realized I could not have done this alone.My Realtor, MARCO MELLO became my best friend as he guided me every step of the way. He made sure as we moved forward that I was well informed and that I was in agreement with everything taking place. He truly was my best teammate and a great negotiator. He knew what was around the corner before we approached, anticipating every move and ready to counter professionally"
Yara Monteiro (5-Star Zillow Review)
"All I can say is WOW! We worked with Marco Mello and team to sell our house in Cresthaven, Pompano Beach FL. We chose Marco based on his expertise of our neighborhood and the type of house that is common there, as well as how well-prepared he was for our first meeting, where we came up with a plan together that not only included sale strategy, but how we would communicate throughout. From start to house sold (with money in the bank), took only about six weeks. Communication was excellent during the whole process which was great, especially as we had already moved away. I felt we were always up-to-date, and provided great guidance. We knew exactly what we had to do when and what to expect. Shout out to the title company as well, and accommodations everyone made for us to complete the process remotely. :) "
Penny Parks (5-Star Zillow Review)
"Marco was great, very easy to work with and to the point. He will guide you during the entire process. Very knowledgeable with the market and areas. Excellent customer service. Thank you so much!"
Nader Aouli (5-Star Zillow Review)
"We have worked with Marco twice now, as both buyer and seller. I would never work with another agent EVER. Marco is knowledgeable about the market and a very skilled negotiator. He is also extremely helpful in analyzing the assets and shortcomings of properties and helping his clients arrive at the decision that best suits their goals and needs. If you need a Real Estate agent you will be well served to use Marco."
Eric Bloom (5-Star Google Review)
"We would choose Marco again!! He was very efficient and knowledgeable. He went over and beyond for us. He went out of his way to make everything run smoothly".
Melisa Bloom (5-Star Zillow Review)
After looking back at the deal, the negotiations, home inspections, repair request list, helping communicate to lenders, getting us to closing on my dream home, I realized I could not have done this alone. My Realtor, MARCO MELLO became my best friend he guided me every step of the way. He made sure as we moved forward that I was well informed and that I was in agreement with everything taking place. He truly was my best teammate and a great negotiator. He knew what was around the corner before we approached anticipating every move and ready to counter professionally.
Yara Monteiro (5-Star Google Review)
"Marco listed and sold my house in Ft Lauderdale during my divorce and thru it all, he was neutral and never took sides. He was also very supportive, attentive and a good friend to us both, which was both appreciated and unexpected from a Realtor. He never pushed us and was incredibly patient and when we went under contract he skillfully guided us to closing, while avoiding a lot of “landmines” with everything that was happening with our divorce".
Larry Wolk (5-Star Zillow Review)
"Marco took me through all the steps in buying a home in the USA, Miami. As I am out of the country everything was new and he and his team were able to inform me and advise me of what possibilities I had. Being from out of the country, he assisted me with the entire process of purchasing my home and even after the purchase he helped me with the complete set up from buying furniture to setting the utilities and even little details without myself present. I found him extremely helpfull , honest, polite and responsible. I would strongly recomend him for all buyers and especially overseas buyers who will truly be satisfied and secure with his help."
Marina Odo (5-Star Zillow Review)
I have said it before and I will say it again, Marco is the most excellent realtor I have ever had the pleasure to work with. First of all he puts his clients interests above anything else. If you are selling or buying a property you will not find a more knowledgeable agent. He has sold two properties for us and both times he brokered a deal in the least possible time. He has helped us purchase a property and make sure we where not buying the wrong property nor paying too much for it. If you are either selling or buying a property and if you have Marco as your agent then rest assured you've got the best agent there is.
Darius Shafie (5-Star Zillow Review)
Marco was an excellent professional , I felt secure and confident with him which was fundamental in making my purchase ! As we were out of the country, We looked at various apartment on the Internet and he went and filmed the building and apartment which we thought were interesting !!! This helped a lot ! I recommend him , as well as the people he works with.

Sheryl Attewell (5-Star Zillow Review)
"Efficient , knowledgeable and trustworthy. Marco Mello carefully listened to what we wanted and with his extensive market knowledge, pointed us directly to our best options according to our goals and desires. It only took us one month to choose our best option, sign a purchase contract and close on our home. Marco was referred to us by a very trusted friend of ours who also purchased a property from him with similar results. Marco also introduced us to fantastic attorneys and accountants to properly guide us as foreign investors. Every day that goes by, we realize how fortunate we were with our choice of homes and Realtor! Knowing the right professionals with the proper market and procedure knowledge is the first step in making a great investment and Marco was that and more for us!"
Luciana Barros (5-Star Zillow Review)
"Marco goes above and beyond to help his clients. He does so much more than sell you a house that he becomes a friend you can count on years later whenever you have any needs. Extremely professional and detail-oriented". 
Monica Senhorini (5-Star Zillow Review)
"We live in Ct and were considering purchasing a vacation home in the Pompano beach area. Fortunately for us we met Marco Mello. From day one Marco was so kind and helpful. He consistently communicated with us and kept us up to date with the current listings. Marco was very honest and transparent with us from day 1. After 2 trips down to Pompano he contacted me on the 4th of July about a condo in the exact area that we interested in, Because of Marcos deligence we were able to put an offer on the condo soon after it was listed. Marco was with us every step of the way when we came back down to view the property.He was very thorough and also showed us several other similar properties in the area so we could be assured that we were making the right decision. We never felt pressured one time and his professionalism always shined through. Because of Marco we were able to purchase our waterfront dream. He’s not only a great agent but a very sincere person! Thanks Marco!!"
Scott Skidmore (5-Star Zillow Review)
Marco goes above and beyond to help his clients. He does so much more than sell you a house that he becomes a friend you can count on years later whenever you have any needs. Extremely professional and detail-oriented.
Monica Seixas (5-Star Google Review)

I must say if there were more than 5 stars, these guys earned it. Thank you very very much for your time, effort, generosity, kindness, patience, empathy my husband and I want you to know we really appreciate you guys. Anyone out there looking to purchase, please trust me on this, these guys are the right person for the job, we are now homeowners in Margate Florida Thanks to them.
Nadra Sinclair (5-Star Google Review)
"Marco performed an excellent job, since the beginning helping to find the adequate house for my purpose, providing banking , attorney recommendations till the closing. I do recommend his and his team assistance".
Fabio Moraes (5-Star Zillow Review)

He was awesome! Went over and above what others had done! Explained everything. Highly recommend Marco Mello 10+++++++Verified by RateMyAgent
Kathy Duquette