PREPARING YOUR HOME
FOR SHOWING

First impressions are important to buyers. A small investment in time and money can give your home an advantage over competing homes in your neighborhood. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home for showing:

Well Maintained:
Repair leaky taps and toilets;
Clean furnace and humidifier;
Tighten door knobs and cupboard latches;
Repair cracked plaster;
Touch up chipped paint;
Clean and repair windows;
Repair seals around tub and basin;
Replace burned out light bulbs;
Oil squeaking doors;
Cleanliness:
Clean and freshen bathrooms;
Clean refrigerator and stove;
Clean furnace exterior;
Clean washer, dryer, and laundry tubs;
Clean carpets.
When the Door Opens:
Clean and tidy porch and foyer;
Does the door bell ring?
Is the door hardware in good shape?
Is the air fresh?
Curb Appeal:
Cut lawns;
Trim hedges and shrubs;
Weed and edge gardens;
Pick up litter;
Clear drive and walkway of snow and leaves;
Repair soffits and eavestroughs;
Clean out garage;
Touch up paint;
Create a Buying Mood:
Arrange to be absent during the showing;
Turn on all lights;
Turn on air conditioning;
Light fireplace;
Open drapes in the daytime;
Play quiet background music;
Lots of Space:
Clear halls and stairs of clutter;
Store surplus furniture;
Clear kitchen counters and stove;
Make closets neat and tidy;
Valuables:
Take jewelry and valuables with you during the open house or lock them safely away.
Take precautions to ensure property (such as objects of art, vases, figurines, mementos) is safely situated or out of reach or packed away.
Pets:
Consider best arrangements for pets during showings. Remove all pet odor if possible.
Lock box:
Makes showing your home much easier for agents pressed for time.