How To Get Ready Your Home to Show to Buyers!

How to get your home ready to show!

By Joe Cooke, RISMedia Columnist

RISMEDIA, February 18, 2010—When it comes to preparing your home to be seen by buyers, Stephanie Edwards-Musa, a Realtor from Woodlands, Texas says, “Appearance is the most important- if the home is not clean, the buyer’s impression may be that the home is not well-maintained.” That may not sound fair, but it’s true. Once your home is cleaned and staged, you have to keep it that way as long as it is on the market.

While you will typically get a few hours advance warning before prospective buyers come see your home, there may be times when your agent will get a last-minute call from a buyer. If you have the lead time you need, make sure you give your home a quick once-over before every showing.

Here is a pre-showing checklist that you can post to your refrigerator so that it is handy when you get that call from your agent:

Check Exterior Appearance

-Make sure the lawn is tidy, freshly mowed if possible

-Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed

-Weed and edge gardens and flowerbeds

-Sweep walkways, shovel snow and remove ice, if necessary

The Front Door

-Clean porch and foyer

-Sweep or shake-out welcome mats and entry rugs

-Place umbrella stand and boot tray near the entry

Cleaning and Organizing

-Clean and freshen bathrooms, put toilet seat lids down

-Clear off kitchen counters, make sure there are no dishes in the sink

-Pick up toys and clean floors as needed

-Empty all garbage containers

-Make beds neatly

-Shut all closet doors and cabinets

Safety

-Lock jewelry and valuables in a safe or remove from the property

-Place larger valuable property, such as objects of art, vases and figurines out of reach

-Put away cameras, credit cards, ID, medications and other small, easily pocketed items

Create a Buying Mood

-Open windows for 10 minutes to allow fresh air to circulate

-Turn on lights

-Turn on air conditioner/heater

-Open the drapes

-Light the fireplace

-Turn television sets off

-Turn on a radio with soft music at a low volume

-Put pets in a secure place or take them for a walk

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