How to Prepare Your Home for Showings and Open Houses

Now that your home has been prepped for photos, it’s time to get ready for showings and open houses. A well-prepared home can leave a lasting impression on potential buyers, so follow this guide to ensure your home is always show-ready!

Step 1: Scheduling Showings

We use ShowingTime to make scheduling showings easy and convenient. You’ll be notified when a showing is requested, and you can approve or decline based on your schedule. The more flexible you can be, the better chance we have of showing your home to the right buyers.

How ShowingTime Works:

• You’ll be notified when a buyer’s agent requests a showing.
• Confirm the time through the app or via email.
• You can block off times when your home is unavailable for showings, so no surprises!

Step 2: Secure Your Valuables

While issues are rare, it’s always better to be safe. Place all valuables out of sight before showings and open houses.

• Jewelry, cash, and small electronics: Store them in a safe place or take them with you.
• Guns and firearms: Ensure they are securely stored and locked away.
• Prescription medication: Keep medications out of view or locked away.
• Paperwork with personal information: Hide documents with personal or financial details.

Step 3: Declutter and Tidy Up

Your home should feel open, welcoming, and spacious. Buyers often look into cabinets, drawers, and even the refrigerator, so make sure everything is clean and organized.

• Clear off surfaces: Keep countertops, tables, and shelves free from excess items.
• Organize storage spaces: Buyers love to see closet space and storage potential, so make sure closets, cabinets, and pantries are tidy.
• Refrigerator check: Clean out any clutter or expired items in the fridge—it’s surprising how often buyers peek inside!

Step 4: Clean and Freshen Up (But Don’t Overdo It!)

A clean home sends a strong message that it’s well cared for, but too much artificial fragrance can overwhelm buyers. Stick to light, natural scents.

• Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors: Focus on high-traffic areas.
• Wipe down countertops, sinks, and appliances: Make sure everything sparkles.
• Bathrooms: Clean mirrors, sinks, and toilets, and store personal toiletries out of sight.
• Don’t overdo the air freshener: Light, neutral scents are best. Opening windows for fresh air is a great alternative.
• Pet cleanup: Make sure pet beds, toys, and bowls are out of sight, and eliminate any pet odors.

Step 5: Light Up the Space and Open Rooms

Lighting can make rooms feel larger and more inviting. Before each showing, maximize both natural and artificial light.

• Let the light in: Open all blinds and curtains to let in natural sunlight.
• Turn on all lights: Even during the day, it helps to have all lights on, including lamps and overhead lighting.
• Open doors: Keep all interior doors open to encourage flow and make rooms feel more spacious.

Step 6: Respect Buyer Privacy and Trust the Process

It’s tempting to want to monitor showings via security cameras or home devices, but trust the process and allow buyers their privacy. Buyers often need to feel comfortable exploring the space without feeling watched.

Tip: Resist the urge to monitor showings through cameras or security devices. Buyers will appreciate the privacy, and it can help them better imagine themselves living in the home. Rest assured, we’ll collect feedback after every showing and keep you informed.

Step 7: Make a Quick Exit Before Showings

To give potential buyers space and comfort, it’s best to leave the home during showings or open houses. This allows buyers to take their time and visualize themselves living in your space.

• Grab a laundry basket: Do a quick sweep of any last-minute clutter and toss it in a basket to store out of sight.
• Wipe down high-touch areas: Quickly wipe down countertops, doorknobs, and light switches.
• Check the bathrooms: Make sure sinks are clean, toilets are closed, and fresh towels are hanging.
• Turn off distractions: Turn off the TV, loud music, and other distractions. Set a comfortable, neutral atmosphere.
• Take your pets with you: If possible, bring pets along or make arrangements to have them out of the house.

Step 8: Post-Showing Feedback

After each showing or open house, we’ll attempt to collect feedback through ShowingTime and share it with you. This feedback can help us fine-tune our strategy and address any concerns that buyers may have.Keep in mind that not all buyers provide feedback. We will make every effort to collect as much feedback as we can!

How Feedback Helps:

• Gain insight into how buyers are responding to your home.
• Learn if there are any common suggestions or areas to improve.
• Keep track of the number of showings and buyer interest.

Need Assistance? We’re Here to Help!

Preparing your home for showings and open houses doesn’t have to be stressful. If you have questions about your showing schedule or need additional tips to get your home ready, we’re just a phone call or email away!