Showings and Open house tips:

To prepare your home for viewing, make it as bright, clean, cheerful and serene as possible. Always look at your home from the buyer's point of view. Your REALTOR® will probably find a tactful way to suggest that you be absent while the house is being shown to prospective buyers, because your presence will inhibit their actions and conversations. They won’t feel free to open closets and cabinets, test out the plumbing and discuss their observations objectively as they walk through the house. It goes without saying that your children and pets should not be on the premises either.

If your REALTOR® has scheduled an open house, you may want to notify the neighbors, and assure them that they'll be welcome. They'll jump at the chance to poke around in your house, and sometimes they can turn up a buyer among their friends.

Quick tips for showings and open houses:

* Clean or replace dirty or worn carpets.
* Open all curtains and blinds.
* Replace any burned out light bulbs and turn on all lights.
* Clear all clutter.
* Clear all countertops.
* Wash and put away any dirty dishes.
* Set the dining room or kitchen table.
* Put out or spray air freshener
* Put on soft music.
* Burn wood in the fireplace on cold days, otherwise, clean the fireplace.
* Put fresh towels in the bathroom.
* Take any laundry out of the washer and dryer.
* Leave the house so your REALTOR® is free to deal with prospective buyers in a professional manner.
* Put pets in cages or take them to another location.