Simple Tips for Better Home Showings
1. Remove clutter and clear off counters.and Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines
stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and
remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean
out the garage, too.3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first
impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for.
2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.
Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and
refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning
service if you can afford it.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and
pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.
But, they will not replace a good cleaning!
5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and
basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, put on
fresh coat of neutral color paint.
6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens,
cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the
impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.
7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the
walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near
the entryway.
8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz
up a dull room. Buy, or bring out of storage, new accent pillows for the sofa.
10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.
11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers. Or, something
similar. Example: Set up a chess game appearing to be in progress.
12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes
throughout the house. (Include the basement, family room, children's rooms, patio area, etc.)
13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you
have one.
14. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there
if it’s not in use.
15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When
buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new
towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.
16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or
confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know
where they’ll be to eliminate surprises.
17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site
during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.
18. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for
prospective buyers to look in your closets (and they need to), and / or express their
opinions of your home with you there.
