How to Prepare Your Home for Showings

When your home is on the market, you never know which showing might be the showing—the one where a buyer walks in and starts picturing themselves living there.

The good news is that preparing for a showing doesn’t have to be complicated. A few thoughtful details can make your home feel brighter, more spacious, and more inviting.

Let the Light In

Before you leave, open the blinds and curtains and turn on the lights throughout the house—even during the daytime.

A bright home feels more open and welcoming, and you don’t want buyers walking into a darker room and searching for a light switch.

Keep It Clean and Simple

Clear kitchen and bathroom counters, make the beds, put away everyday clutter, and keep décor clean and intentional.

You want buyers to notice the features of the home rather than being distracted by too many personal items or clutter.

Create More Space

Take a look at each room and consider whether removing some furniture could make it feel larger and easier to move through.

Oversized pieces or too much furniture can make even a good-sized room feel smaller. A short-term storage unit can be a great option for extra furniture, boxes, seasonal items, and other things you won’t need before your move.

Keep Scents Subtle

It can be tempting to light a strongly scented candle or plug in an air freshener before buyers arrive, but subtle is usually better.

Heavy fragrances can make buyers wonder whether an odor is being covered up. Weather permitting, open a few windows before the showing and let some fresh air circulate through the house. Just remember to close and secure them before you leave.

Do a Quick Final Check

Right before you walk out the door, take one last trip through the house.

Put away dishes, empty visible trash, straighten pillows and towels, close toilet lids, and tuck away pet bowls, toys, litter boxes, and other pet items when possible.

These little details add up and help your home look its best when buyers walk through the door.

Take Your Pets With You

Whenever possible, take your pets with you during showings.

Even the friendliest dog or cat can make some buyers uncomfortable. You want buyers to feel free to explore every room, step into the backyard, and take their time looking at the home.

Give Buyers Some Space

Plan to leave at least 15 minutes before the scheduled showing. Buyers and agents occasionally arrive early, and it’s best to have the home ready and give them plenty of space.

Buyers are more likely to slow down, talk openly, look carefully at the home, and start imagining where their furniture might go when they have privacy.

Make Every Showing Count

Selling a home means asking buyers to imagine making it their own. Cleaning, decluttering, staging, good lighting, and a little preparation before each showing can help your home make the best possible first impression.

You don’t get to know ahead of time which buyer will fall in love with your home, so it’s worth making every showing count.