Most home buyers start their search online, so make the first impression count! Prep your home to entice buyers with bright, clean and engaging photos.

Get started by following these tips:

10 Tips for Preparing Your Home

Make it appear move-in-ready:

  1. Thoroughly clean your entire home (including vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)

  2. Remove personal photographs and/or replace with art or general photography

Remove simple distractions:

  1. Remove small floor rugs to reveal flooring

  2. Place all shoes, jackets and accessories in closets

  3. Make all beds neatly

  4. Turn all ceiling fans OFF

  5. Turn all TVs and computer screens OFF

Perfect the lighting:

  1. Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON

  2. Replace all burned out light bulbs

  3. Use bulbs of the same temperature (For example, ALL warm light, soft light or cool light)

5 Tips by Space

Help prospective buyers see themselves in your home by decluttering and removing simple distractions.

Kitchen

  1. Clear countertops - removing knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.

  2. Leave one small appliance (e.g., coffee maker)

  3. Remove refrigerator magnets, papers, photos, etc.

  4. Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

  5. Remove any dishes from sink

Living Room

  1. Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

  2. De-clutter fireplace mantel or hearth - no more than 5 items, including art

  3. If necessary, clean interior of fireplace and re-paint

  4. Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

  5. Remove kids’ items and toys

Bedroom(s)

  1. Make all beds, including decorative pillows and or shams

  2. Press bed linens and bed skirts

  3. Remove clutter from nightstands, dressers and walls, removing all personal items and family photos

  4. Store away phone and/or tablet charging cables or stands

  5. Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

Front Exterior

  1. Remove cars from driveway and front of home, and close garage doors

  2. Clean up landscaping (e.g., mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

  3. Remove empty planters and visible water hoses

  4. Remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames

  5. Remove toys, balls, basketball or soccer goals, etc.

Pet(s)

  1. Contain pets in hidden crate or outside

  2. Place food, bowls, beds and toys in pantry or closet

  3. Hide litter boxes and accessories

  4. Remove pet hair from furniture

  5. Clear backyard of pet waste and toys

Dining Room

  1. Clear table, dust and polish table top

  2. Use decorative place settings, if available

  3. Feature one center piece, such as a bouquet of flowers

  4. Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

  5. Remove child seats or booster chairs

Bathroom(s)

  1. Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

  2. Put toilet seats down and close closet doors

  3. Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

  4. Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels

  5. Remove floor mats

Kids’ Bedroom(s)

  1. Organize kids’ items and toys

  2. Remove personalized names from walls

  3. Remove wall stickers/posters

  4. Remove diaper genies

  5. Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

Backyard

  1. Clean porch - tidying up outdoor tables, chairs and cushions - pillows and cushions should be fresh, not faded

  2. Clear kids’ toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

  3. Clean pool, remove pool vacuum cleaner and hose, hide pool cleaning supplies

  4. Turn on pool fountains/water features

  5. Remove trash cans and visible water hoses

Staging can help draw buyers to your home, and we can help.

Selling your home is like selling a product – it must be marketed correctly to reach prospective buyers. Although your furnishings and decor are great for your lifestyle, it’s important to optimize your home for the future buyer.

ECVT offers virtual home staging using technology instead of real furniture, saving you time and money. We can also connect you with local home staging companies if you prefer.