Making the decision to sell your house is a big deal, but with the average home staying on the market for just 56 days, finding a qualified buyer is easier than you might think. That said, you still need to get your home ready for showings and open houses if you want to sell your house as fast as possible.
So, where do you start with the staging process and just how hard is it to get your home ready for showings?
Luckily, it’s easier than you might think. Here are a few key tips for showing your home that you can use whether you have showings scheduled or are just now thinking of putting your house on the market.
Table of Contents
1. Give Your Home a Thorough Cleaning
When prospective buyers tour your house, you want to make sure the space is as inviting as possible. The best way to do that is to make sure your home is as clean as it can be before each showing.
As soon as you get notice of an upcoming showing, go through each room of your house and clean it completely. Wipe down every surface, wash the windows, vacuum the carpets, and mop the hard floors as needed.
If you have clutter on tabletops or surfaces, clear it off as best as you can. It’s okay to stick that clutter in a junk drawer if you’re in a hurry. Just remember that you’ll need to deal with the clutter when you move.
2. Make Sure the Space Is Well Lit
Believe it or not, lighting can make a huge difference in the way buyers view your space. One of the best tips for showing your home to potential buyers is to maximize the amount of light your home gets.
During daytime showings, make sure the curtains and blinds are open. Wash the inside and outside of the windows to maximize natural light and clean any exterior window screens to keep the light bright.
If you have nighttime showings scheduled, turn on all overhead and track lights in each room. This will make your house feel brighter and more welcoming to any prospective buyers.
It’s also a good idea to make sure the bulbs in each light fixture are working properly before your showing. If you notice any flickering or see any bulbs that need replacing, replace them before the showing. This way, your home will also look better maintained.
3. Air Out the House
Every home has its own distinct smell. It’s a combination of the cleaners you use, the food you cook, and the activities that go on inside the house. And just because you can’t smell it anymore doesn’t mean prospective buyers won’t notice it.
Get in the habit of airing out the house before each showing.
Open the windows and let the breeze do the tough work for you rather than relying on artificial air fresheners and sprays. All it takes is an hour or two and your home will smell fresh.
If you choose to use air fresheners or deodorizers, make sure they’re unscented or very lightly scented. Remember, some buyers may be allergic to certain scents and, if the air fresheners are too strong, it may leave buyers feeling like you’re hiding something.
This is especially important if you’re selling a home as is. You still want to make your home look as beautiful and well-maintained as possible.
4. Get Rid of Distracting Décor and Decorations
The most important thing you need to remember when looking through your house showing checklist is to make sure the house is impersonal. Remember, buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home easily.
If you have unique decorations, tons of family pictures, or loud colors in your décor, it can distract prospective buyers. This makes it hard for them to picture their furniture, artwork, and belongings in the house.
Before your first showing, put those personal touches away. You can box them up and wait to pull them back out until you’re in your new house or you can tuck them away and bring them back out after the showing. It’s up to you.
5. Lock up Personal Items
When buyers tour homes, they often open every drawer, cabinet, closet, and cupboard to get an idea of the type of storage your home has. Though most of those buyers are responsible and respectful, you’ll still want to protect your personal items.
Lock up any medications, jewelry, or important mementos that you want to keep safe. If you have tons of portable electronics that would be easy to steal, lock them up, too. If you don’t have a secure place to store those items in your house, bring them with you when you leave for the showing.
It may take time, but it will ensure that your personal possessions stay safe while your house is on the market.
6. Be as Flexible as Possible
Showings can happen at any time and, sometimes, those showings won’t be convenient. If you’re trying to sell your house as quickly as possible, you need to be flexible on showing times.
Whenever you can, try to accommodate showings even if they’re at times that are less than ideal. This will show buyers that you’re serious about selling your house and creates a great first impression when they tour the property.
That’s not to say that you can’t refuse a showing. You can and should if it puts undue strain on your family’s lives.
Follow These Tips for Showing Your Home
Selling your house takes time and getting the property ready for showings can seem daunting. However, as long as you follow these tips for showing your home to potential buyers, you’ll start getting great offers faster.
Remember, the sooner you start getting your home ready for showings, the easier it will be to keep the house in great shape. If you’re planning on putting your home on the market, start staging the property ahead of time. The sooner you do, the easier it will be to manage showings when they happen.
For more helpful tips to make selling your house a breeze, check out our latest posts.