Living in your home while it is listed for sale presents a unique set of challenges. You are tasked with maintaining an immaculate, showcase-ready environment while managing the day-to-day realities of your life.
Maintaining a Show-Ready Home While Occupied:
To ensure your home is always ready for a showing, even those scheduled last minute, consider implementing the following strategies:
1. Secure Your Valuables and Personal Information:
Before listing your home, secure any valuables, perhaps by storing them with trusted friends or relatives, or keeping them locked away onsite. Likewise, safeguard your personal and financial documents by removing them from plain sight and ensuring digital devices are turned off or taken with you during showings.
2. Pet Management:
Pets can complicate home showings. Develop a plan for your pets well in advance:
- Dogs: Ideally, remove dogs from the property during showings. Consider scheduling doggie playdates or hikes during these times. Conceal all pet paraphernalia.
- Cats: If feasible, transport cats offsite in carriers during showings. If not, ensure they have discreet hiding places and maintain odor-free environments, including litter boxes.
- Other Animals: Temporary relocations may be necessary for reptiles, birds, and small mammals, as their presence and habitats might deter potential buyers.
3. Routine Cleanliness:
Keeping your home pristine involves daily and weekly routines that prevent clutter and dirt from accumulating:
- Daily Tasks: Make beds every morning, tidy up after meals, perform quick bathroom cleanups, and spend a few minutes decluttering daily.
- Weekly Tasks: Focus on deeper cleaning such as vacuuming, dusting, kitchen and bathroom maintenance, and ensuring the home smells fresh. Regular curb appeal upkeep is also essential.
4. Go Bag Preparation:
Keep a ‘go bag’ ready with essential items you might need to take with you quickly during showings—like laptops, important documents, and personal items. This helps in avoiding last-minute scrambles.
5. Quick Showing Preparation:
If you have a short notice before a showing:
- Adjust the thermostat to a comfortable setting.
- Open all curtains and blinds to maximize natural light.
- Turn on all interior lights and, if applicable, light the fireplace.
- Consider playing soft background music.
- Quickly tidy up living areas, ensuring they appear spacious and welcoming.
By following these steps, you can maintain a living space that is both comfortable for your daily life and attractive to potential buyers, ensuring that your home sells quickly and at a desirable price.