Sellers...A 12 Point Checklist for When Your House is Being Shown.
Once you’ve prepared your house to go on the market, your work doesn’t stop there. You’ll want to be prepared to take advantage of every showing your house has.
It’s hard to keep your house in Show Ready condition, especially when you have a family including our 4 legged members.
Below is a 12 point Checklist to help make sure that your house is ready to meet its new owners!!!
1. Remove all dishes from sinks and countertops.
This is something you’ll want to do the night before but we all have 
those last minute items. Make sure to place them in your dishwasher, or do as a friend of mine used to do when she was in a hurry...place them in the refrigerator!
2. Turn on every light in your house and open up the blinds and window coverings.
Don’t make your buyers waste valuable viewing time trying to find a light switch.
3. Take a quick trip through your house with a basket or bag.
Pick up stray toys, papers, etc that have been left from the night before.
4. Empty all trash cans and wastebaskets.
No one wants to see your trash.
5. Run your disposal
This will only take a few seconds but drop in some ice cubes or baking soda and vinegar to eliminate any odors.
6. Make sure that all beds have been made
Don’t smirk and shake your head. Ask any agent and they will tell you that they have shown homes where beds have been left unmade!
7. Bathrooms
Hide personal items like toothpaste and brushes. Give the countertops a quick wipe down; commode lids DOWN, and towels folded neatly.
8. Office area
Turn off computers and if you have laptops, place them in a secure spot. Make sure that your personal papers are locked up as well.
9. Jewelry and medications
Do not leave these out. Make sure that they are locked away.
10. Laundry
No one wants to look in your laundry room only to see piles of clothes and towels. And it doesn’t matter if they’re clean! This room is as important to a buyer as any other room.
Hopefully, you would have taken care of this the night before but if there is no time, toss it in the dryer.
11. DO NOT…
Do not light candles and leave!!!!!
12. And finally…. Leave!!!
Your agent has told you to do this but you have to leave for a showing.
Yes, you know more about your house than anyone but you can tank your showing by being there.
Buyers will still feel like guests in someone’s home if you are present and will not feel comfortable viewing it as their own.
AND...Sellers no matter what you think, you might just slip up and say something that you will regret.
Make every showing count!!!! Now Bring on the Buyers!!!!
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