Simple Tips for
Better Home Showings
1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw
out stacks of newspapers and magazines and 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.
2. Wash your windows and screens. This will
help get more light into the interior of the
home.
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. 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.
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, brush on a 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 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.
12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy
dishes and candles, and create other vignettes
throughout the home to help buyers picture living
there. For example, in the basement you might
display a chess game in progress.
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 express their opinions of your home with
you there.
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