Making Sure Your Home is Ready to Show

By
November 05, 2024

5 essential tips to make sure your home is show-ready.

How to Make Your Home Show-Ready

Getting your home ready for showings can make a big difference in how quickly it sells and how much you get for it. A well-prepared home creates a great first impression and lets buyers imagine themselves living there. Here are five essential tips to make sure your home is show-ready:

1. Declutter and Depersonalize: The goal of showing your home is to help buyers envision it as their own. Remove personal items like family photos, keepsakes, and any excess decor that might distract from the home’s natural features. Keep shelves, countertops, and other surfaces clear to create a more open, spacious feeling. This also means cleaning out closets, cabinets, and storage spaces; potential buyers will likely take a peek, and a tidy, organized space gives a great impression.

2. Deep Clean Every Surface: A clean home signals to buyers that it’s been well-cared for. Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, where dirt and grime can be the most noticeable. Wipe down surfaces, dust fans and light fixtures, clean windows inside and out, and don’t forget less obvious spots like baseboards and grout lines. A sparkling home feels fresher and more inviting, so consider hiring professional cleaners if you want to go the extra mile.

3. Maximize Natural Light: Bright, well-lit spaces feel more welcoming and can make rooms appear larger. Before a showing, open all blinds, drapes, or curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Clean your windows to ensure there’s nothing blocking that beautiful light from coming in. If you’re showing the home at night, ensure all light fixtures have working bulbs and consider adding additional lighting to any dim corners.

4. Stage Key Areas for Appeal: You don’t need a full overhaul, but a bit of strategic staging can make rooms look more functional and inviting. Arrange furniture to create flow and highlight each room’s purpose. Add small touches like fresh flowers in the kitchen, soft towels in the bathroom, or cozy blankets in the living room. These little details make the home feel more inviting and help buyers see how the space can work for them.

5. Check for Odors and Freshen Up: Smells can make or break a showing, so take time to air out your home and tackle any lingering odors from pets, cooking, or smoke. Open windows or use a natural deodorizer like baking soda to absorb unwanted smells. You might add a subtle, fresh scent like lavender or citrus to create a pleasant atmosphere, but avoid anything too strong as some buyers may have sensitivities.

Keeping your home show-ready doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on these key areas—cleaning, decluttering, staging, lighting, and odors—you’ll create a welcoming space that allows buyers to see your home’s full potential.

For more information, contact Bold North Realty & Auctions at (218) 766-9607.