Keep it clean. Even though you have thoroughly cleaned and prepped the home to put it on the market, you must still live in it between showings.
Be prepared to tidy up and vacate your home at a moment’s notice so it can be shown. Make up beds first thing in the morning so that they are not forgotten. Keep disposable floor wipes handy to be able to quickly mop floors as well as freshen up bathrooms and kitchen sinks.
Open all window coverings to let in as much lights as possible. Turn on lights in smaller rooms, such as bathrooms and the laundry room, to help them appear larger. You want to create a lighted environment without overdoing it. If the weather is nice, open a couple of windows to create a breeze and get some fresh air into the house.
If you have ceiling fans, turn them on to help circulate air. In winter, think about turning the heat up slightly to make it cozy feeling to potential buyers who walk in from the nippy outside. You will also want to create a pleasant mood as the house is being shown. One way to create this mood is to is to play soft music while the buyer is there. You may also wish to place fresh flowers around the house to create a cheery atmosphere. You may wish to create visual ambiance by turning on key lights such as chandeliers or scones.
Finally, make sure the home is vacant as it is being shown. You and your family should take a walk or otherwise do something outside of the house. Make sure the pets are gone too; put them in cages or take them to a neighbor.
Your goal is to make home buyers fall in love with the house as soon as they see it from the street. And that comes with a bonus–a great overall impression is often enough to make a buyer more lenient about minor repair issues. Every house is different, and no one expects you to be a professional home stager. But taking the time to prepare the house to the best of your ability can put extra dollars in your pocket, and in less than average time.