I recently talked with you about staging your house when you have decided to sell it. This is perfect when you are initially prepping your house for the market, and wonderful for the photos you will present for buyers and websites. Now I want to talk a little more in-depth about how you should get your house ready for a home showing or open house. You will also need to get ready for home showings from buyers coming through by appointment.
Here is a checklist of 7 items to review when you set up for the open house or when you get the call that someone wants to pop in and see your beautiful house for sale. Print it out and keep on hand so you remember to check each area off!
How to Get Ready for a House Showing
1. Declutter. This is at the top of the list for a reason. Go around and tidy up! If you wonder… “Should I just leave that out on the counter or put it away?”, definitely move it and put it away. It’s better to have less, than to have clutter. Tidying up might be something you put on your list before bedtime, too. This will help you stay on top of it daily without putting too much thought into it during a busy morning.
2. Schedule a Cleaning. Whether you are doing the cleaning or hiring a professional, keep this on your schedule to have done on a regular basis. And, that probably means cleaning more often than if you weren’t moving. Consider once a week to keep your house looking great! Remember, this isn’t forever. It’s just until you sell your home, and a nice clean home can sell quicker.
3. Maintenance. Stay on top of regular maintenance and repairs. When these projects start to build up, you get overwhelmed with everything else that’s going on. Consider taking care of repairs yourself as they pop up or hiring someone as frequently as needed until you are happily under contract.
4. Outdoor Landscaping. You want your yard and curb appeal to look amazing. This can be worked into your schedule every couple of days or again, consider hiring some help to keep your yard looking clean and trimmed up. Consider planting some colorful flowers in the yard, if the time of the year is appropriate, to make your home look inviting.
5. Last-Minute Staging. When I say last-minute staging, I mean bringing back the living spaces to the way they were when it was first staged. Did you buy special towels just to use just for showings? How about specific pillows or bed coverings? Maybe you even put away certain items and brought out other display pieces you picked out just for walkthroughs and open houses.
6. Vacuum and Floors. While you are staying on top of your house cleaning, vacuuming should probably be done right before a showing. It can be a little tough to always know if someone wants to come through while you’re at work during the day, but do your best to go over the carpets and touch up hard floor surfaces before you head out in the morning. There is nothing like clean floors to show off a home!
7. Open Blinds/Turn On Lights. A bright well lit home will sell faster. Remember to take care of these 2 items before your showing so everyone can enjoy and view your house without effort.
Choosing a Real Estate Agent
When you are ready to sell your current home or buy a new one, look to a top-rated and experienced real estate agent. An agent that is familiar with the locations and types of properties you love in the Memphis area. Whether it’s residential, commercial, or open land you’re looking for, work with a real estate professional that you can trust.
Click here to learn more about me and how I can help you with your home purchase, buying parcels of land, or looking to move to a new home. My skills and education are focused on what you need for a great Real Estate experience. I would love to chat with you and answer any questions you might have. I can also put you in touch with a great home stager, handyman and cleaning crew to make your home look its best. Contact me at (901) 828-8919 or drop me a quick note angie@angiekelley.com. Look forward to speaking with you today!
Angie Kelley, Crye-Leike Realtors
(901) 828-8919 or (901) 840-1181
