Showing ready checklist: how to prepare your house for a showing

Outside: boosting curb appeal

A potential buyer forms a first impression from the street, before your listing agent even opens the lockbox. Make the walk to the front door feel cared for.

• Trim overgrown bushes and anything that hides windows or the house number
• Mow, edge and pull weeds from beds and the cracks in the walk
• Wash or sweep the porch, steps and front door; clear cobwebs from the light fixtures
• Replace burned-out porch and landscape bulbs
• Put away hoses, tools, kids' toys and trash cans
• Add a clean doormat and, if the front door is faded or scuffed, a fresh coat of paint

Inside: deep clean once, then maintain

A deep clean before your first showing does more than any decor. After that, the 15-minute list keeps it there.

• Clean windows inside and out so natural light comes through
• Dust ceiling fans, blinds, baseboards, vents and light fixtures
• Scrub grout, tubs, showers and the inside of the oven and microwave
• Shampoo or steam-clean carpets and rugs that show traffic patterns
• Wipe switch plates, door handles and cabinet fronts
• Check under sinks and in closets for musty smells or leaks and fix the cause

Light: make every room feel larger and more inviting

Dark rooms photograph small and feel small. Light is the cheapest way to fix both.

• Open blinds and curtains for every showing to let natural light in
• Use the same color bulb in each room so the light looks even
• Replace dead bulbs in lamps, ceiling fans and closets
• Turn on every light before buyers arrive, even in daytime
• Pull back heavy drapes that block windows

Space: arrange furniture so buyers can walk through

Buyers need to picture their own things in the room. Clear paths and fewer pieces help.

• Arrange furniture so there is an open path from the door to the windows
• Remove extra chairs, side tables and oversized pieces; store them off-site if you can
• Clear at least half of every closet and pantry shelf so storage looks roomy
• Keep only a few items on kitchen and bathroom counters
• Give each room one clear purpose: an office, a guest room, a dining room

Personal items: depersonalize, then secure

Family photos, diplomas and collections are part of your story, but buyers are trying to see their own. Pack most personal items before you list. It also gets you ahead on moving.

• Pack framed photos, collections and religious or political items
• Clear the fridge door of magnets, schedules and notes
• Lock up medications, jewelry, mail, keys and anything with personal information
• Put away firearms in a locked safe or take them with you

Home staging: what is worth doing

Home staging means arranging and decorating so the home shows well. You do not need a professional stager to get most of the benefit.

• Fresh white towels in the bathrooms and a simple bedspread on each bed
• One plant or a bowl of fruit in the kitchen, not a crowd of accessories
• Patch nail holes and touch up scuffed walls; a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color helps where walls are marked or dated
• Set the dining table simply, or leave it clear
• Ask your listing agent before spending on larger updates; the prep checklist covers what to fix and what to skip

Scents, sound and temperature

• Avoid strong air fresheners, plug-ins and candles; clean air is the goal
• Empty trash, litter boxes and the dishwasher before every showing
• Set the AC or heat so the house is comfortable at the door
• Turn off TVs; soft music is optional

Showings and open houses

A private showing is one buyer and their real estate agent on an appointment. An open house is a set window when anyone can walk through. Prepare for both the same way, and for open houses plan to be away for the whole window.

• Give your listing agent your blackout times and the notice you need
• Leave during showing buyers' visits so they can talk openly
• Ask your agent for feedback after each showing and adjust