Is Your Listing Ready?

February 9, 2023 by



Viewing a home should be as blissful as walking into a Crate & Barrel. Everything is cozy and chic, making buyers want to sit down and stay a while.

But prior to a showing, sometimes sellers forget to do small, but important tasks, which can make all the difference.

Last minute CHECKLIST

Check the thermostat and set it to an optimal temperature – nothing too hot or too cold. You don’t want buyers rushing through the house because they are uncomfortable.

Put away cleaning items. You don’t want buyers to think about any cleaning or maintenance. 

Yes, buyers look inside the closets. Even if the closet is clean and organized, open doors creates visual clutter. Keeping doors closed will ensure the buyer has a positive first impression of the room.

Remove small appliances off kitchen countertops. (I’m looking at you, toaster and coffee pot.) 

Turn on all under-cabinet lights, floor and table lamps. Bulbs should be about 2700-3000 K.

 Put down toilet seats, pull open the shower curtain, and hide the plunger, garbage cans, toilet brush, and rugs. Buyers know people live in the home, but they don’t need to see evidence of it. It’s not just bulky furniture that ruins the flow of a space. Rugs can do it too, especially in the bathroom. But when selling, scatter rugs break up the floor space, making bathrooms seem smaller than they actually are.

Having light music on in the background can make buyers feel more comfortable as they tour the home, as long as it is not too loud or distracting.

Conceal the critters by removing scratching posts, dog beds, and cages out of sight. Put away water and food bowls, as well as any pet-related items. (toys, leashes, litter boxes, etc.)

Open heavy window drapes to let natural light shine through each room. Keep venetian blinds open, or slant downward to let in the maximum light while obscuring a poor view.

Store away personal effects such as family photos, refrigerator art, religious items, checkbooks, IDs, credit cards, medications, awards, trophies, or unique pieces that tell a story about yourself. These can distract and hinder the buyer envisioning himself/herself in the home. You want a neutral canvas so buyers can immediately picture themselves and their family living in the home, not giving information about who is currently living there.
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