When you are preparing to sell a home, most of the work happens before the first showing. You declutter, depersonalize, deep clean, complete repairs, and stage the space so it feels welcoming. Then the real rhythm of selling begins. Showings. Sometimes with plenty of notice, and sometimes with very little. A consistent routine makes that part easier and helps your home present well every time.
The National Association of REALTORS® offers a practical guide that breaks the process into simple steps you can repeat before each showing. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to create a clean, bright, comfortable space that helps buyers focus on the home itself.
Start with floors and surfaces. A quick pick up makes a bigger difference than most people expect. Make beds. Put away toys, clothes, and loose items. Clear kitchen and bathroom counters so the space feels larger. It is fine to leave a few larger items like a coffee maker or toaster oven, but stow smaller items neatly in drawers and cabinets. Then, wipe down visible surfaces so dust does not distract from the room.
In the kitchen, pay attention to the places hands touch most. Wipe appliance handles, knobs, and cabinet doors where fingerprints tend to show. Buyers often open the refrigerator, so make sure it looks neat and clean inside. Odors matter too. Avoid cooking foods with strong smells right before a showing. If you want a welcoming scent, choose something simple and familiar. Many sellers like a gentle stovetop simmer with citrus or cinnamon.
Bathrooms benefit from a quick reset. Put away the towels your household uses and replace them with fresh staging towels. Wipe mirrors and any shiny surfaces so smudges are not the first thing a buyer notices. A clean bathroom reads as a well-cared for home.
Before leaving, protect your valuables. Put away jewelry and electronic devices. Secure prescription medications and other personal items. Firearms and collectibles should be locked and stored safely.
Do not forget the path to the front door. Clear and sweep walkways so visitors can enter safely. If the weather brings snow, sleet, or ice, remove it and use sand or salt as needed.
Finish with a final walk-through. Open window treatments and turn on all lights, even during the day. Bright homes feel more inviting and photograph better in a buyer’s memory. Disable the alarm and take pets with you whenever possible. Some buyers have allergies, and others may simply feel uncomfortable around animals.
If you want a welcoming touch, consider offering something simple like bottled water. It is not required, but small gestures can make a showing feel more comfortable.
Bonus Connie tip. If you use candles as part of your showing routine, always blow them out before you leave the house. An unattended flame is a serious fire hazard. Many sellers forget this step when they are trying to get out the door quickly, so add it to your final walk-through.
At first, this routine might feel like a lot. Most sellers find that after a few showings, they develop a system and can prepare in less than an hour. If you would like a more detailed version, an extended checklist is available here. A local REALTOR® can also help you tailor these steps to your home and your market, so each showing is working toward the same goal. A confident sale with fewer surprises. #That'sWhoWeR
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423.698.8001