After two years of major renovations, my husband and I put our house on the market late last week. We have our first showing today so I’ve been researching some quick tips for getting ready for real estate showings. Don’t have much time to prep for a visit from a potential buyer? Here are some quick ways to make your home show-ready.
1. Make your bed! This should only take you a couple of minutes and it will go a long way towards making your bedroom look welcoming.
2. Vacuum rugs quickly. Pick up any pet hair or crumbs on the carpet.
3. Bake break-and-bake cookies. Set them out with a note telling visitors to help themselves.
4. Wipe out sinks and polish mirrors. Potential buyers will be able to envision themselves using this clean space as opposed to a dirty one.
5. Open blinds and curtains to let in light. Natural light is important to most buyers.
6. Clean off kitchen countertops. Hide or throw away any clutter and wipe them down with cleaner. They’ll have a better chance at seeing the selling features.
7. Spray couches and chairs with a fabric refresher to give them a clean scent. This will ensure that potential buyers aren’t distracted by any bad smells.
8. Buy some fresh flowers from the grocery store. Fill some small vases and display them around the house.
9. Turn on lights so your potential buyers aren’t fumbling for light switches.
10. Remove pets from the premises. You want the potential buyers to feel comfortable to stay as long as they want to.