A Buyers First Impression - Prepare Your Home for Showings

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection and clean-up.

You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior.

Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls and trim show fresh paint (preferably neutral or light colours).

Take a sniff. Are there any unpleasant odours in your home? If so, track them down and eliminate them. Perhaps get the carpets deodorized when cleaned.

Ensure all your lights work and light fixtures are free of cobwebs. You want your home to look spacious, bright and fresh.

Lose the family memorabilia. Your objective is to help potential buyers feel as if they could live in your home. That mental leap is tough if your house resembles a shrine to you and your family.

Check floors for squeaks, stairs for loose boards, carpeting for rips and tears, and stairs for missing or loose handrails and guards.

Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.

Open and close all windows to ensure they work properly. Fogging between the panes of a sealed window indicates the seal is broken and the unit needs to be replaced. Do it!