Prepare Your Home to Impress

Successful home showings are an art and require meticulous attention to detail. Here's a comprehensive checklist to guide you in preparing your home to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

Interior Preparation

Turn on all lights - prior to leaving (Yes - even the closets)

1. Deep Clean: Thoroughly clean your home, from floors to ceiling fans. Pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms.

2. Declutter: Remove unnecessary items. An organized, tidy home will appear larger and more appealing.

3. Depersonalize: Store away family photos, personal collections, and religious items to allow buyers to envision the house as their own.

4. Neutral Decor: Opt for neutral colors and decorations to cater to a broad range of tastes.

5. Home Staging: Strategically place furniture and decor items to highlight the home's best features.

6. Lighting: Ensure your home is well-lit, replacing any blown-out bulbs and utilizing natural light wherever possible.  Dust around all hanging lights.

7. Temperature Control: Keep your home at a comfortable temperature. It should feel welcoming to a potential buyer.

8. Toilet Seats Down: It's a small detail, but ensure all toilet seats are down.

9. Empty Trash: Ensure all waste baskets are empty and clean to avoid unpleasant odors.

10. Hide Laundry: Keep laundry out of sight. Buyers don't need to see your dirty clothes!

11. Pet-Free Zone: If possible, arrange for pets to be away during showings. Not everyone is a pet lover.

12. Removes all clothes from inside the stove:  Yes - I had to tell a seller to do this.

Exterior Preparation

1. Lawn Maintenance: Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, and ensure your garden is weed-free.

2. Outdoor Clean-Up: Clean your exterior windows, remove cobwebs, and tidy up outdoor living areas.

3. Entrance Appeal: The front entrance sets the first impression. Make it inviting with a clean front door, fresh doormat, and potted plants.

4. Garage Cleanliness: Keep your garage clean and tidy. Buyers will want to see this space as well.

5. Pool Maintenance: If you have a pool, ensure it's clean and the surrounding area is tidy.

Final Touches

1. Fresh Flowers: A vase of fresh flowers adds a nice touch and can brighten up a room.

2. Bake Cookies: The smell of freshly baked cookies can create a warm, homely atmosphere.

3. Soft Background Music: Soft, calming music playing in the background can help set a positive mood.

4. Leave the Property: During showings, it's best to leave the property to allow the potential buyers to view it comfortably.

By adhering to this checklist, you're setting your property up for a successful showing. The goal is to make potential buyers feel at home from the moment they step through the door.