Here are 48 things you can do to improve the showing experience:

Throughout the House

• Open the draperies, pull up the shades, and let in the sunlight.
• Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night, and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly.
• Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.
• If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.
• Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times, including ceiling fan blades.
• Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well.
• Have a family game plan to get the home in order quickly if necessary.
• Air out your home for one half-hour before showings, if possible.
• Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
• Put the family photos in storage.
• Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.
• Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture.
• Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls.
• Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.
• Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.
• Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home.
• Ensure all recessed lighting & fixtures use the same “color” bulbs.
• Wash all windows inside and out.
• Use plants in transitional areas of your home.
• Make the most of your attic’s potential.
• Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.
• Open doors to area you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attic, etc.
• Remove all smoke and pet odors.
• Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working.

In the Kitchen

• Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before a showing and place it in an out of the way place.
• Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner.
• Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.

In the Bedrooms

• Create a master suite effect in your decorating.
• Depersonalize the bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme.
• Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean.
• Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items, and put them in storage.

In the Bathrooms

• Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use.
• Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white.
• Ensure bath fans, if any, are plugged in and operating.
• Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.
• Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
• Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.

Outside

• Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times.
• Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway, and patio.
• Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and trash from the yard.
• Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition.
• Paint all entrance doors.
• Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary.
• Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers, etc.)
• Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.
• Use a new doormat.
• Be sure the front doorbell is in good working order.
• Be sure the front door and screen door works perfectly.