I think that most people who have listed their homes for sale have dealt with a last minute showing request.  The truth is that even though we don’t like that someone is showing up at our door in half an hour, we do like that someone is coming to see our home in Locust Grove.  They always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times too, like your third grader just announced that the science project is due tomorrow, you’ve just dropped a pan of lasagna on the floor, or your dog just attacked that vicious pillow in the living room again.  Don’t worry; I got you!  Here is how to prep your home for a showing in less than twenty minutes.

Quick note:  In order to avoid this franticness every time you have a showing for your home in Locust Grove, it is important to put effort into tidying up every morning and evening.  Make everyone in the home responsible for keeping an area of the home clean.

Grab a basket and go! 

With a laundry basket in hand, quickly move around each room of your home gathering up things that don’t belong such as jackets on a coach, toys on the dining room table, or papers on the kitchen island.  Grab any chargers that are sitting out along with tablets, phones, ect.  Take this basket and put it in the laundry room or behind the shower curtain in a spare bathroom to deal with later or toss it in the trunk of your car. While you are going through each room, open up the blinds and turn the lights.

Kitchen 

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms at a home in Locust Grove to buyers. Gather up any dishes in the sink or at the table and put them in the dishwasher.  Wipe down all the countertops.  Empty the trash can if it is full or smelly.  If you’ve just had a more fragrant dinner (fish, cabbage, ect) open a window to let some fresh air in or spray some air freshener.  Straighten chairs and check for any fingerprints on appliances.

Bathrooms 

Do a quick wipe of the vanity countertops in the bathroom and stash anything on the countertops in drawers.  Flush the toilet and close the lid.  Close shower curtains and fold any towels hanging on racks.

Bedrooms 

Gather up any clothes that may be laying around and toss them in a laundry basket or hamper to deal with later.  Make sure that the bed is made and that nothing is hanging out of dresser drawers or from under the bed.  Close closet doors in the bedroom.

Pet Areas 

Make sure that your pet is secured during the showing or take your pet with you.  Clean up the litter box and around your pet’s food and water bowls.

Living Room 

Do a quick fold for blankets that sit out on the couch at your home in Locust Grove.  Fluff pillows and make sure that all the electronics are turned off.

Still have a few minutes?  Do a quick vacuum of high traffic areas like the kitchen, or assign a family member to do this while you are cleaning up the other rooms!

While it may not be as perfect as the day you deep cleaned everything, spending twenty minutes tidying up your home before a showing is important.  A buyer who is putting in the effort to see your home in Locust Grove is a potential offer that you don’t want to turn away just because your home isn’t perfectly cleaned.