You’ve decided to list your home, NOW WHAT? Getting your home ready for a showing in advance can make all the difference to buyers. Below are a few suggestions to assist you in this process.

  • Remove Clutter Clear off the counters and pack unnecessary out-of-season decorative items. Don’t forget the garage also to make it look more spacious.
  • Let in the Sun Clean windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace any burnt bulbs and consider a higher wattage in low-light areas when possible. Wipe down walls or bush on a fresh coat of bright neutral paint to brighten up dull rooms. Replacing heavy curtains with sheer ones to show off your view.
  • Keep it Clean A deep clean will make upkeep easier. It never hurts to consider hiring a cleaning service to help. 

  • Maximize Comfort In the summer, close a few A/C vents on the first floor so more air will get upstairs or your hot spots. Reverse this process in the winter for the colder areas. If you don’t visit your home in the winter, please leave the heat on for showings. 
  • Smells Linger It never hurts to perform a sniff test. Clean carpets and drapes to help eliminate any pet odors. Open the windows to air out the house. Consider potpourri or a diffuser. For quick fixes in the kitchen, cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract can instantly make the fridge a nicer-smelling place. Boil lemon juice in your microwave then add it to your dishwasher to eliminate musky odors. You can also run the lemon rinds from that same lemon used in the dishwasher through the garbage disposal for a similar effect.
  • Take Care of Minor Repairs Sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they will give buyers the impression that the house is not well maintained. 
  • Tidy-up Outdoors Season dependent; cut the grass, rake the pine needles, add new mulch to beds, trim bushes, edge walkways or keep ice/snow off them and clean out the gutters. In the summer/spring add a pot of bright flowers near the entry way for added appeal.
  • Set the Scene A nice throw or new accent pillows easily jazz up a dull room. Pretty dishes or a simple centerpiece on the tables can help buyers picture themselves living there. Try staging a chess game in progress or puzzle. If you have a fireplace, lay fresh logs or a basket of flowers there.
  • Make the Bath Luxurious Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight, along with old towels and toothbrushes. Do not leave medicine laying around. Add a new shower curtain and fancy guest soaps.
  • Please Conceal your prescriptions, jewelry, guns and anything you do not want seen in public.