Sometimes showings aren’t convenient. You can always refuse a showing, but do you really want to? Keeping your home as show-ready as possible is key and formulating a “5-Minute Clean-Up plan” will help avoid a last-minute panic. If you have a showing with little advance notice, get the family engaged. Everyone has a basket and picks up glasses, plates, newspapers or anything lying about.
In addition, consider the following:
GET IN THE HABIT – Wash dishes immediately after meals. Clean off countertops. Make beds in the morning. Keep pet toys and beds washed and smelling fresh.
BE HOSPITABLE – You want your home to look like a home. Stage it to show the possibilities – perhaps set the table, put a throw on the chair by the fireplace with a bookmarked book on the table.
KEEP/DONATE/THROW AWAY – Go through your belongings and put them into one of these three baskets. You’ll receive more tax benefits for your donations than pennies on the dollar at a garage sale. It’s faster, more efficient and you’ll help more people.
USE PLUG-INS & MUSIC – Rather than the obvious “baking cookies” smell, purchase some plug-ins for a pleasant aroma throughout the house, which can also help cover up pet odors.