PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SHOWINGS
It is critical that buyers have a good first impression when arriving at your property. Although we will provide
advice and help you achieve this for your particular property, here are some general guidelines.
EXTERIOR, ARTWORK
• Keep porch area clean
• Hide/store garbage and recycling bins in an orderly fashion
• If house numbers, mailbox, and/or exterior lights are old or tarnished, replace them or have them painted
• Clean decks – power wash and/or paint/stain if noticeably warn
• Place a new ‘Welcome’ mat at the front of the door if yours is worn
• Landscape appropriately for the season – keep walkways shoveled/salted in the winter, mow lawn and place
potted flowers on steps in the summer
• Have windows cleaned inside and out
• Have eaves troughs cleaned
• Doorbell and door hardware in good repair
• Outside of freshly painted walls, artwork can have the biggest effect on the overall appeal of a room
• When hanging art, think about placing the piece in the most focal area. Centre art with beds, bedside
tables, etc.
• Keep artwork low. The biggest mistake we see is artwork hung too high. As a general guideline, artwork
should be hung so that the frame sits approximately 57”-60” from the floor, 6”-8” above the top of a sofa
and 10“-12” above a table
• Chipped plaster and paint touched-up
• Doors and cupboards properly closed
• Leaky taps and toilets repaired
• Burned out light bulbs replaced
• Squeaky doors oiled
• Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
• Seals around tubs and basins in good repair
• Floors clean
• Garbage containers empty
• Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
• Appliances clean
• Countertops neat and polished
• All lights turned on
• Air conditioner turned on in warm weather
• Fresh air in house
• Fireplace lit in cooler weather
• Drapes open during daylight hours
• Carpets freshly vacuumed
• Valuable property (such as jewelry) out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
• Pets absent, where possible, or contained during the showing and litter boxes clean
GARAGE/LOCKERS
BATHROOMS
LAUNDRY ROOMS
• This area can be full, if organized correctly. Designate areas for specific items e.g. sporting goods, tools,
lawn accessories, potting/gardening, and extra boxes
• Clear off work surfaces
• Organize tools
• Buy bins to house large items
• Hang hooks for brooms, racks, bikes, and additional tools
• Tuck away tissue boxes, toilet bowl scrubbers, garbage pails (if you have a really fabulous garbage pail, keep
it out for display but ensure it is empty
• Leave top of toilet tank bare
• Use fresh towels always – avoid using these towels during the selling period
• Replace liquid soap (the pump variety) with a new soap dish and bar of fresh soap (white is best)
• Lay a fluffy bath mat that coordinates with towels
• Remove toilet seat covers, toilet mats (the variety that wrap around the front of the fixture)
• Invest in new cotton, waffle-weave or linen shower curtain and stainless hooks
• Select neutral colours for your towels and curtain and pair with a white fluffy mat, matching accessory holder
and fresh flower/plant for the perfect bathroom display
• Vases filled with sea sponges, cotton balls or seashells will add visual interest
• If you have a glass shower stall, remove all products
• If you have a bare or worn concrete floor and/or walls, have them painted
• If you have vinyl floor that is discoloured or stained, have it replaced
• Clear all items from the floor
• Remove any hanging clothes – leave one clothes line, remove any additional lines
• Place detergents on a shelf near the washer/dryer or store in baskets
• Tuck away drying racks, ironing boards and hampers
• Give all items a proper home – show the buyer that your laundry room is functional and friendly
ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES, PATRICIA CONNELL 416-459-5505 PATRICIACONNELL@ROYALLEPAGE.CA