From Chaos to Perfection: How to Keep Your Home Show-Ready!
Maintaining a Picture-Perfect Home
Learn how to maintain a show-ready home by staying on top of cleaning and tackling clutter.
Discover the importance of checking for maintenance issues and keeping up with landscaping.
Understand how to address scents, consider pets, prepare for different weather conditions, and maintain security procedures during home showings.
You've worked your butt off to get your home ready to sell. It’s been grueling. Your photos look great and you house looks perfect! The real question is can you keep it that way? I have two kids and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly our house can go from spotless to disaster zone.
Keeping a home constantly ready for showings is just as daunting – it can be hard to maintain a near-perfect state of readiness. So we have some essential tips, tricks and strategies to ensure your home looks great for potential buyers.
To keep your home show-ready all the time, you need to continuously do multiple tasks covering cleaning, clutter management, maintenance, and landscaping. Keep in mind not to overwhelm with overly perfumed scents. Managing your pets, and being prepared for weather can help your home stay ready. Doing all of these things can make a positive impression on potential buyers throughout the selling process.
Stay on Top of Cleaning
To maintain your home's show-ready status, regular cleaning is key. Keep surfaces clean and free of dust. After you use a space; wipe down countertops and polish fixtures. Make sure you are emptying trash cans regularly – don’t let them build up. Make sure to vacuum or sweep your floors regularly.
Pay attention to high-traffic areas such as entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms, as they require extra care. A clean home creates a positive first impression and enhances the overall appeal.
Tackle Clutter
Maintaining a clutter-free environment is crucial for showcasing your home. Keep countertops clear, tidy up shelves, and organize furniture arrangements to create an open and inviting atmosphere.
It can add up quickly. Things like mail can quickly clutter a countertop, so stay on top of it all. Remember, less clutter allows potential buyers to envision their own belongings in the space.
Check for Maintenance Issues
While you've already prepared your home for showings, ongoing maintenance is necessary to keep it in top shape. Regularly inspect your property for any signs of wear and tear. Check for leaks, malfunctioning appliances, and loose fittings. If you have regular services like pool, vac or lawn services scheduled, make sure they continue.
I can’t tell you how many times things break the day of or the day after a home hits the market. It happens all the time. Just know the ‘break’ isn’t as important and how you address it. Have a professional fix it as fast as humanly possible. Make copies of all receipts and add them to the homes disclosures.
You want any potential buyers to know the seller addresses and fixes things. Stay on top of maintenance items to avoid any surprises during showings. A well-maintained home instills confidence in potential buyers.
Keep Up with Landscaping
Remember that the first impression begins outside your home. Maintaining an attractive curb appeal is crucial to drawing potential buyers in. Regularly mow the lawn, trim hedges, and remove weeds. If you can’t do it, hire a service or neighbor to do it.
If it’s going to be hot, make sure you have a plan to water your yard early in the morning. Don’t forget about those potted plants either. Keep walkways clean and ensure the entrance is welcoming with a fresh doormat and well-maintained exterior lighting.
Pay Attention to Scents
Unpleasant odors can be a major turnoff for potential buyers. Keep your home smelling fresh by ensuring good ventilation. Be cautious not to overwhelm visitors with artificial scents. Plug-in air fresheners and excessive scents can appear as though you are hiding something. We recommend to sellers that they not use any artificial scents at all. Put those candles away folks.
Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods. Avoid seafood and bacon – as they stay in the air for days – at all costs. If you cook very aromatic foods or international dishes regularly, consider eating out while your home is on the market.
Consider that food is personal. Bacon to a vegan might be offensive, while international foods may be a turn off to others. Our goal for you as a seller is to appeal to the widest audience.
We could talk for an hour about scents and smells in a home – and we might have to write another article about it. Remember that a neutral and pleasant-smelling home creates a comfortable environment for buyers.
Consideration for Your Pets
Following closely with smells… Let’s talk about pets. If you have furry friends in your home, it's important to make arrangements for them during showings. Your pets shouldn’t be in the house while others are there.
Ideally you should move the pets out of your home well before your home hits the market. Board them, send them to a friend or family member for a short time. This will prevent any accidents and minimize their stress.
If that’s not possible, it's a good idea to take your pets for a walk or to a nearby park during the showings. It reduces distractions. By planning for your pets' well-being, you can focus on presenting your home to its fullest potential.
If you can’t make other arrangements, consider making a gated area in a garage or room where your pets can stay during showings. Provide your pets with their favorite toys, bedding, and water bowls to keep them comfortable.
I can’t stress this enough: Make sure your entire home is clean, free of pet hair, and odor-free.
Weather Preparedness
Weather conditions can impact the appeal of your home during showings. Whether it's a scorching summer day or a rainy afternoon, being prepared for various weather situations like you’re hosting a big party.
During hot weather, ensure your home is cool and comfortable by adjusting the temperature lower than usual. Turn on fans or potentially opening windows to promote good airflow. Open your patio umbrella to provide shaded areas. It’s give potential buyers an escape from the sun and the opportunity to appreciate your yard.
On rainy days, keep doormats and rugs near entryways to prevent muddy footprints. Consider having a shoe rack or a designated shoe area to avoid tracking dirt throughout the house. Real estate agents also have ‘shoe booties’ that slip over shoes. They can help keep your floors clean and dry.
If your home has a fireplace, it can create a cozy ambiance on chilly days. Have it ready by cleaning the fireplace, stocking it with wood (Not to use~ but to show that it could be), and ensuring it's in good working condition. Even if your wood-burning fireplace isn’t lit, it can give buyers a heads up its there. If you have a gas fireplace turn it on.
By proactively planning for different weather conditions, you can create a positive and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers, regardless of the elements outside.
Maintain Security Protections
Maintaining a secure environment is essential when your home is on the market. Ensure all doors and windows are locked properly before and after showings. Keep valuable items securely stored away. (That includes jars filled with coins.) Talk with your real estate agent about keys and lockbox access. Your agent absolutely should be using an electric lockbox.
Keep Your Home Show-Ready!
Additionally, consider installing security cameras or a home security system to provide peace of mind. Remember to follow local laws on recording and videotaping of conversations.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your home continues to make a positive impression on potential buyers. Remember, regular cleaning, clutter management, and maintenance will help you keep your home show-ready throughout the selling process. Good luck with your home sale!
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