Showing a House (agents, Realtor, kitchen, sell)

[DMBFan]

We are about to put our house on the market, and were curious about one thing. We both work all day and leave around 7 am (live about 30 minutes from work). We are leaving our house available to show all day. Do we need to turn on all lights in all parts of the house every morning and leave them on all day....should we have ceiling fans turned on?

I know it sounds like a silly question, and it probably won't be too costly electricity-wise, but we were just wondering how this works. It won't make much sense to come home from work, every time there is a showing to turn on all lights/fans.

[Stu Barnes]

Originally Posted by DMBFan

We are about to put our house on the market, and were curious about one thing. We both work all day and leave around 7 am (live about 30 minutes from work). We are leaving our house available to show all day. Do we need to turn on all lights in all parts of the house every morning and leave them on all day....should we have ceiling fans turned on?

I know it sounds like a silly question, and it probably won't be too costly electricity-wise, but we were just wondering how this works. It won't make much sense to come home from work, every time there is a showing to turn on all lights/fans.

Leave them off if you want. Some people leave soft music on and the gas logs lit, etc, it's a nice touch, but mainly that is people that are home most of the day and come back directly after the showing. If you are gone all day you can leave them off. Generally people understand how hard it is the sell and keep your house looking right....may get other opinions, but I think you are fine to leave it be. BUT keep your house clean and clutter free.

[CrissCT]

Whenever we were looking at houses, I know our realtor would turn on the lights and then make sure everything was turned off again before we left the house. I would leave everything off. Open up the curtains and blinds though - natural sunlight always makes a house look a little better.

[agreatlife]

When we sold our home, we left all the lights on and music playing, but the extra cost of the light bulbs wasn't as important to us as having the house look as spiffy as possible. If the $ is a concern to you, since in most areas it is taking longer to sell now, I wouldn't worry about it, as most agents will run around and turn lights on for their customers, then turn them off when they leave. See what your Realtor has to say.

[CouponJack]

Keep the lights turned on. The extra incadescent bulbs and electricity costs will be somewhat minor.

If you are worried about the extra costs, then you should really unplug tv's or other appliances at night before you goto bed.

This will in most cases wash the extra cost of keeping the lights on during the day.

I understand its an extra step, however it will balance out the costs.

[twinmma]

I too would leave them on. Everything looks better in the light. I don't think you have to leave ALL on...just the main area. For example, I would leave the Master Bed and Bath on, the Kitchen, and the Family room. They can turn on the rest. Highlight the best features of your home with the lights-so if you have a great wetbar in the rec room, then turn them on there too.
oh, and I never got the music playing thing...when we visited homes that had it on it was distracting and honestly, it didn't give me a nice cozy feeling or anything...the one thing that DID give me that feeling was a well lit home and one that was CLEAN

[DMBFan]

Thanks for all the comments!!! I'll talk to my realtor and see what he has to say...we'll probably leave them on!

[surfingatwork]

If you're using a realtor than my suggestion would be to ask your realtor to go over to your home prior to the showing and turn the lights on for you.

[shellytc]

I would leave on the lights where it is dark and the main areas. DO open blinds and curtains in EVERY room, every single day. It takes time in the morning, but it is so much better to walk into a house that feels open!!

So, have the foyer and hall light on. Make sure the bathroom lights are on if it is dark in there. You may not want a harsh overhead light on in the living room, but a few of the table lamps with the blinds open. You need to "stage" it in the morning and you will see what looks best.

Good luck!!

shelly

[lorriem]

Originally Posted by CrissCT

Whenever we were looking at houses, I know our realtor would turn on the lights and then make sure everything was turned off again before we left the house. I would leave everything off. Open up the curtains and blinds though - natural sunlight always makes a house look a little better.

We were out of town for a week and had our lamps on timers. We did keep the front blinds up. Our realtor showed the house the monday we were away and she was the only one to show it that week. When we got home at 10 pm Fri night every light was on and the shades were up in the front as we left them. We were furious anyone driving by a few nights in a row could see that the house was empty. So please make it clear to your realtor to turn off the lights when she leaves.