The Nitty Gritty of Preparing Your Home for Showings

Exterior

Summer

1. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged.

2. Trim the shrubs and eliminate dead trees and branches.

3. Keep the yard free of debris.

4. Confine outdoor toys to the back yard and keep them in a bin or container.

5. Clean downspouts and gutters.

6. Replace any broken windows.

7. Keep the front entrance particularly clean, well-swept and add a colorful pot of flowers.

Winter

1. Keep the walkways well shoveled and sanded.

2. Keep the driveway well plowed.

3. Be sure that all exterior light fixtures are in good working order especially given that it can be dark by 4:30 p.m.

Interior

1. Ensure that walls are clean and free of smudges and fingerprints.

2. Scrub bathrooms, bleach mildewed surfaces and recaulk the tub/shower, if needed.

3. Wash windows inside and out.

4. Shampoo soiled wall-to-wall carpeting. If a shampoo cleaning won’t remedy the soiled state of the carpet, remove or replace it.

5. Repair loose doorknobs.

6. Install high wattage light bulbs in all fixtures.

7. Clean out and organize the closets.

8. De-clutter countertops, basement, garage, etc.

9. Open the curtains and blinds for maximum light.