I know people who are planning to list their homes for sale and have asked me how to prepare their homes, so I prepared 36 tips, which I listed in 3 postings.
The last 12 tips, which I call "Showtime" because they focus on showing, are:
25. Buy some new furnishings. If you are planning to purchase new furniture for the new home, you should think about using it to stage your present home. It works especially well if you current furniture is worn, too large, or dated.
26. Lights, action, ready. When you know a potential buyer is coming, turn on the lights, open the drapes - add light. Light will make your home more inviting and will make it feel larger. Replace your 60 watt and 75 watt bulbs with the maximum the fixture can handle. This makes your home look brighter and bigger.
27. Bake cookies or add that great smell to your kitchen. I tell my friends to bake cookies but you can just add vanilla to an electric burner or burn a candle.
28. Don't forget to paint something before the showing. The smell of paint seems to get buyers in the mood to purchase. Just touch up anything just inside the front door just to add the scent.
29. Clean the glass and furniture. The lemon scented furniture polishes and glass cleaners also make your home smell clean.
30. Clean the pool. In any season, you must have a clean pool for it to appeal to buyers. Even if the leaves are dropping, get the pool clean or you will be telling buyers how much work a pool is instead of how much fun the pool really is.
31. Park the cars away from the home. Have two cars in the driveway; park one in your neighbor's driveway or down the street. Make the home look its best and biggest.
32. Set the A/C thermostat down in the summer. Make your home as cool and inviting as possible. The Houston area summers can be scorching, your home should feel like a refuge from the heat. The reverse is true in the winter, warm up your home. Use the fireplace in the winter - nothing shows off your fireplace more than a fire.
33. Leave the house. Never, if possible, be home during a showing. Buyers don't like it and it might actually hurt your negotiations later. Never have animals loose in the yard or house; make sure they are crated or in the garage (with a sign on the door) at all times.
34. Don't leave a mess. I've seen it all but your buyers haven't. Keep garbage bags at the ready, if you can't pick it up and put it in its place then bag it and take the bag with you in the car. No one will be the wiser.
35. Be Safe. Never forget to secure your mail, prescriptions, cash, checkbooks, and valuables; I suggest buying a $50 safe to toss these everyday items into - the safe should be screwed into shelving, floor, or the wall studs.
36. Have a checklist. Follow a plan for all showings. The list helps eliminate stress and make sure you complete all the steps you should.
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