The New House

This is not a staging checklist. It’s a showing checklist. So if your house isn’t staged yet, this article isn’t for you. There are a bazillion staging tutorials out there, but once you’re staged you’re ready for your first showing, and that’s where I come in.

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So you get the call from your realtor. Hooray! Showing in the morning! So what now? Panic? No. Pop a bottle of wine? Maybe. Later. But, first…

So, how would I know how to do a fantastic showing anyway? When we sold our house two years ago we got top dollar and had multiple offers. Both times we were under contract in less than a week from the time the house was listed (our original buyers backed out when their co-signer changed their mind). I think that makes me an expert. Or a rockstar. Or possibly just experienced.

I did a bunch of research and compiled a checklist to use so I wouldn’t stress out on showing days. The second time around we had multiple showings per day. Was I under pressure? Yes. But, cool as a cucumber. I had my list. And I really, actually used it.

Our feedback from the showing agents was overwhelmingly positive. It got a little ridiculous to be perfectly honest. Realtors started showing up with buyers that couldn’t afford it but just wanted to see it. Cause it was really cool inside. So, we became a temporary tourist attraction. Sigh. It’s hard to be so popular sometimes.

The point is, my list worked. And lucky for you, I’m willing to share with you so you can be a calm, popular seller, too. Sit back and wait for the offers to start pouring in.

Printable: The Ultimate Home Showing Checklist.

So here’s the bottom line: You’re selling a lifestyle, not just a house. The buyers are looking at a house, but they’re really taking a peek at your lives. If they want your life, they’ll want your house. Your job is to seduce them into picturing themselves living there, and living your groovy life. You can do it.

Decide what the coolest parts of your house are and tell a story about them. Control the flow of the house by luring buyers from space to space. If you have great entertaining spaces, set up a party scene. If you have an art studio, make it immaculate and inviting with a blank canvas set up. If you have an awesome movie/media room cue up a Nat Geo HD film that show off the awesomeness of the room and equipment. Here are the basics:

So some of the items on my list are not original. They’re common sense. I’m assuming things are basically clean (I hired maids to come weekly while we were on the market, and I whole-heartedly recommend it). Clean:

Make beds.  I took the opportunity to get new sets during staging.  Overstock usually has some nice, reasonable ones.  It’s a lot of bang for the buck.  If you really want to outdo yourself, shop (or just look at) the Pottery Barn bedding to get ideas for a well staged bed.  Especially in the master bedroom, the retreat feel is important. (I am astounded by the number of beds I see in real estate photos with straightened-ish blankets and not so much as a bed skirt to cover the metal legs. Apparently these people are in no rush to sell the place.)  The cool thing is… you can take new bedding with you, so go for it.

Pick up.  Nothing screams stress to most people more than an untidy house that looks like there isn’t enough organization/storage space.  And remember, you’re selling a relaxing, organized, and clean house.

Do the dishes.  It’s okay if they’re sitting in the dishwasher.

Sweep & vacuum.  Seriously, leave the lines in the carpet.  It screams, “we keep this place clean and well cared for.”

Wipe and clear the kitchen counters.  Make them shine.

Check bathrooms.  The smell of cleaner is okay.

Mow lawn. Pull weeds.  (Never leave anything that says, “I’m work waiting for you to do when you move in here.”)

Specialty items:

Hang fresh towels in the bathrooms. Get bright white, new towels. White towels make your baths feel like a Spa.  I got new towels for staging/showings and threatened everyone in the family about not using them until after the house was sold.  They don’t have to be soft, just new and white.  I bought some reasonable ones here.

Temperature: 70. Crank that AC in the summer. Make it toasty in the winter. It should feel refreshing. It gives buyers a sense that the heat/cooling systems are in good working order.  This is a great time to check your air filters to make sure it doesn’t sound like the system is struggling when it cycles. I use 3m filtrete filters that last three months.  Yes, you can buy them on Amazon, but they’re cheaper from Lowe’s.

Fireplace. Turn it on low. Even in the summer. It creates a nice ambiance and it shows the buyers the fireplace works.

Set the table (Pinterest some cool table scapes and copy them).  Even if the dining room isn’t great, people remember it being “inviting” because the table is set.  It looks like the house is ready to do some entertaining. Once again, you can take this stuff with you. World Market always carries some reasonable, stylish sets.

Open the drapes. All the way. Open the blinds flat and pull them halfway up the window. Make sure they’re straight and not lopsided.

Lights. Blazing. Turn them all on and open all of the interior doors. Don’t let potential buyers fumble for light switches or door handles. They should be able to walk through and simply enjoy. (I left a note for the realtors telling them we’d turn the lights off when we got home).  This is not the time to be stingy about the light bill.

Case in point, there are three different lights in this room and no windows.  It is a cave with no lights on- pitch black.  There is a lightswitch for the built in bed over by the bed.  There is a lamp on the dresser.  With the door open and all the lights on this is a showcase. Every kid in the world wants this room.  Fumbling for the lights and trying to see it in the dark would leave the proper “showing” of this room to chance.  Turning the lights on in advance let’s you control the showing.

Pictures (okay, this is a staging item, but I feel strongly about it. I also apparently disagree with every HGTV host, ever). Only take your family pictures down if they’re in lousy frames and/or you have ugly kids. Be honest with yourself here. People realize that someone lives in the house… isn’t that why companies use models to sell clothing? Think of your family photos as “happy family home” models. I had a cool wall with black and white canvasses full of family pictures. We left those pictures up. They just screamed “we’re one big happy family in our happy family home.”  It’s also a wall-staging item.  Without those our staircase would be empty.

Music. Low volume smooth jazz. If you have cable there are usually music channels included in your package so we had several TVs on with smooth jazz going. That is professional level ambiance.

Garbage disposal. Run a lemon or orange through it right before the showing. The citrus hides any lingering smells you might have missed. If you don’t keep citrus on-hand, you can get a bag of forty garbage disposal bombs from Bed, Bath & Beyond for about ten bucks.

Cinnamon apple glade. A can per showing in a 2000sf house. No kidding. I did a ton of research and apple pie or cinnamon apple apparently puts people in a “this is the one” mindset. I don’t question it.  It worked. Buy it here.

Pool, gardens, and specialty areas should be freshly staged. Wet your decks, exterior pavers, and mulch with a garden hose. They look nicer darker and like you’ve given them fresh attention. If you ever watch hgtv outdoor transformations shows, pay attention next time. Everything is soaked when they do “the reveal”. Get new pool towels and roll them up on your deck chairs/chaise lounges. Open your pool umbrella if you have one and put out the cushions. It needs to feel inviting.

Take your animals with you. Hide evidence of them existing. Seriously. Cat litter boxes, beds… etc. Put them in your car when you leave. Nothing deters a buyer with cat allergies more than telltale signs of pets. I was bitten by a jack Russell once during a showing. You have no idea what your pets will do when you’re not there. Nothing like getting sued by someone you were hoping would buy your house because Snooki bit them trying to get into the master bedroom (and no, I didnt’ sue. I just gave them a heads up they might want to take the dog with them next time). Potential buyers may also let your indoor cats outside or your circus dog out.

Kitchen. Clear counters except your nice knife block. A bottle of wine with a few glasses for later is a nice touch.  (Who’s in the mood to celebrate buying a house???)

Remember, you ultimately only need ONE buyer. It’s going to be the one that falls in love with your life. Prepare accordingly.

Do you have any niche showing tips that you recommend? I would love to see your tips and questions in the comments section! Thanks for reading and you can find more great DIY articles here.

Cheers and happy selling!

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