There are several things you can do get your home in proper "showing" condition. If you follow these simple rules, your home will show well.

Repair The Obvious

General repairs should be completed prior to listing your home. Anything obvious that is broken or damaged should be fixed or replaced. If the buyer can "see" that the home is in good repair, they will have confidence that the same is true for the things they can't see.

Walls should be clean and in good repair, but it is not necessary to paint your colored walls white. Your home reflects your taste and personality, and this will attract others as well. Have you ever seen a white walled show home?

Create a Good First Impression

Is the door and porch clean? How about the fence and house trim? In winter, keep the walks shoveled, and grass cut in summer. Remember: lots of buyers do "drive by's" before they tell their realtor which ones they want to see.

When the buyers first walk in, smell creates a strong first impression. Keep cooking, pet and other odors to a minimum. If you smoke, start smoking outdoors. A few partially open windows in the summer can help keep the house aired out. Hiding a few bowls of white vinegar behind the furniture can help eliminate some odors and potpourri, fresh bread or air fresheners can help create a pleasant environment. When using fragrances, keep them subtle, not overpowering.

Don't forget to leave all the lights on. It may cost a few extra dollars in electricity costs, but the benefits will be worth it. This is especially true during the winter when it may be dark during the showings. If you have lights on your attached garage, deck or porch, make sure they're on too.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Floors should be swept or vacuumed daily. Kitchens and Bathrooms should be so clean you could eat off the floor. Counters should be cleared except for those things which are decorative or necessary. Keep a few baskets handy so that in a rush you can quickly toss in clutter such as your personal toiletries or children's toys and stash them under a bed or in a closet.

Get Out of the House

It is very important that you not be home during showings. Buyers need to be comfortable in your home in order to feel like they could live there. They need to sit on the couch, open the cupboards, and spend enough time in the house to fall in love with it. They are not going to do this if you are there.