Showing Your Home

How to Show Your Home

Real estate showings are an important part of the home-buying and selling process—in fact, 79% of buyers felt a private tour was extremely important to their home-buying decision. 

Covered outdoor living area with stone fireplace, lounge seating, and built-in kitchen.

Before the 1st Showing:

  1. Clean thoroughly
  2. Secure your belongings like firearms, prescription drugs and jewelry
  3. Have a plan for pets and kids
  4. Depersonalize and declutter
  5. Rearrange furniture as needed
  6. Don’t forget the outside
  7. Keep storage spaces tidy
Staged living room with a white sofa and candle-topped coffee table beside an open kitchen.

Ongoing Home Showing Tips:

  1. Do a daily cleaning
  2. Avoid strong-smelling foods
  3. Keep pet areas clean
  4. Open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible, and leave lights on
  5. Hide pet food or litter
  6. Empty trash cans
  7. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature
Bright kitchen with a veined marble island and pale pink flowers beside a sunlit window.

Nine Minute Showing Drill

Occasionally you will receive a call to schedule a showing to take place within the next few minutes. The following is a checklist for this type of panic:

  • Sound: Turn off the television and tune the radio (low volume) to a soft rock, middle of the road or classic rock station.
  • Sight: Turn on every light in the house (day or night) and open every drape and blind (day time only).
  • Odors: Heat some frozen pastry slowly in the oven or heat a pan on the stove and then drop in a few drops of vanilla.
  • Kitchen: Wipe kitchen counters, place dirty dishes in dishwasher.
  • Bathrooms: Wipe counters, flush and close toilets.
Aerial view of suburban homes with fenced yards and swimming pools beside a grassy park.
  • Living/Family Rooms: Hide magazines, newspapers, and games; remove clutter.
  • Bedrooms: Straighten beds. Hide clutter under bed (not in closet).
  • Exterior: Put away toys and clutter. Keep walk clear.
  • Children & Pets: They are a distraction, so send them outside.
  • Goodbye: Sorry, but this is the single most important thing you can do in a showing to help sell your home! Even if the showing agent insists that it is okay to stay, you must leave. Buyers must get emotionally committed to your home to buy it and they cannot become emotional about "their new home" if you, the current owners, are "hanging around." Please, at the very least, go into the backyard. Even better, go to the store.

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We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, we're here to provide answers, insights, and the support you need. Contact us and start planning your next move.

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Celina, TX 75009