Getting Your Home Ready for Pictures and Showings

Use these as guidelines to getting your home ready for picture day and for showings.

Exterior

·         All vehicles should be out of driveway (for pictures).

·         Yard mowed and free from loose limbs and leaves.

·         Garden hoses and empty flower pots should be neatly put away.

·         Garage doors closed.

·         Pool cleaned if applicable.

Interior

·      Get rid of clutter. Counter tops should be free from papers, pictures, books and personal knick knacks.

·       All appliances should be clean and have no magnets or pictures on the outside.

·       No pets or indication of pet’s i.e. pet dishes and litter boxes.

·       Windows should be clean inside and out and open curtains to expose sunlight. This helps make rooms look bigger.

·      Bathrooms should have nothing on the counters. All shampoo bottles etc. should be  stored away out of sight.

·       Toys and magazines stored away and closet doors closed.

·       Beds should be made and laundry hidden or neatly stacked.

·       Be aware of having too much furniture and placement of furniture. Rooms will look bigger with less furnishings.

·       Watch out for bad smells. Last night’s dinner might still be lingering.

The above guidelines are to help you in getting ready for realtor pictures and showings. This really should be a first priority. Adding flowers, repainting rooms, professionally cleanings and tree trimmings are all examples of taking your preparations a step further. Rearrangement of furniture could really open up a space and help any room look bigger. Remember that this is your first best impression for a buyer. Taking those extra steps could be the difference between your home and the next!