Seattle Real Estate News

1. Please open curtains and turn all lights prior to showing.
2. Please hide all prescription drugs, valuables and firearms.
3. Ventilate if you must but the house must be odor free.
4. The first offering is usually the best since they are motivated. Negotiate if you dislike it but do not turn it down.
5. Accept all requests for showing.
6. Always consult with your real estate broker for all showings.
7. Please maintain your house in showroom conditions at all times.
8. You shall not have any contact with prospective buyers or their realtor.
9. You must not be present for showings.
10. Removed pets for showings. 

Here are seven things that might offend buyers and result in fewer offers (no matter how hot the market is):

1. Please keep any live animals potentially dangerous animals with you and away from home during open houses (along with food bowls, litter boxes, play toys and the like).
2. Animal-head trophies. Dead animals can be problematic because it offends too many people.
3. Flags. Avoid controversial Nazi, flag, white supremacist flag or even Confederate flag.
4. Sports memorabilia. Having your house decked out in your team might not offent buyers but will color the way they think about that house. Buyers do not want to walk into a house that's berating their team.
5. Nudity. Whether it's baby pictures, artwork or pornography makes some buyers uncomfortable.
6. Mystery rooms. Buyers want to see the whole house in its entirety that makes a locked room a big turnoff.
7. Drugs. Even though marijuana is legal in some states, presence or evidence of use including odors in a home can deter buyers.