How to Prep Your Home for Showings

You only get one chance to make a first impression – and that’s especially true when your home hits the market. If you’re thinking about listing your property, here are a few tips to ensure it’s in optimal showing condition.

Tidy Up

This goes without saying… make the beds, clear the countertops, sweep/vacuum the floors, dust the furniture, remove any clutter and take out the trash. Go through your home room by room and make sure areas like closets and bookshelves are neatly organized.

If you have pets, eliminate odors and conceal things like toys, bowls, leashes and litter boxes. Speaking of pets, it’s best to keep them out of the house during the showing so buyers will have their full attention on your home and not your four-legged friend.

Accentuate

Showcase your home’s stand-out features, whether that means pulling back the drapes to show off your view or using interesting accessories to draw the eye to built-in shelves.

With fall approaching, you’ll also want to be sure your home is staged or decorated accordingly. From playing up the fireplace to adding throw pillows and blankets to the furniture, there are several quick and easy ways to make your home look cozy and inviting (check out these tips for selling your home in the fall).

Brighten Up

Light gives the impression of space, so it’s important for every room in your home to have ample light at all times. Prior to showings, raise blinds and turn on lights. You also might want to add floor and table lamps to brighten dark rooms or corners.

Keep it Comfortable

You want your home to feel welcoming to buyers. So depending on the weather, turn on the air conditioning or heat to ensure the temperature is comfortable for showings at any time of year.

Have a Plan of Action

Get in the habit of maintaining a clean home and make a plan that could allow you to accommodate any last-minute showings.