The Ultimate Seller Pre-Showing Checklist

The quick routine that makes every showing feel like an open house.

Once your home is on the market, showing requests don't always come with much notice. This guide is for sellers who want a simple routine they can repeat, so they can get the house ready quickly and walk out the door without wondering what they forgot.

It splits the work into two versions, one for when you only have ten minutes and one for when you have an hour, so you never have to decide where to start.

The ten-minute reset

Short on time? Focus on what buyers notice in the first few seconds of walking into a room. Beds made, counters wiped, dishes in the dishwasher, trash taken out and your nice towels hung up. Turn on every light, too, because a bright house feels bigger and more welcoming.

My favorite trick from the list: grab a laundry basket, put all the clutter in it and take it with you in the car. It takes a couple of minutes, and you'll never have a buyer open a closet to find everything stuffed inside.

When you have an hour

With more time, do the ten-minute list first, then go deeper. Vacuum the carpets and rugs, sweep the hard floors and mop if you can, and wipe down the glass, mirrors and big appliances. Put the laundry away. These are the details that make a home feel cared for, and buyers pick up on that even if they can't name why.

It doesn't have to be perfect every time. The goal is a home that feels clean, calm and easy to picture yourself living in.

Scent, pets and the things you leave behind

The checklist ends on a nice touch: set out an air freshener or a plate of freshly baked cookies. Scent is part of the first impression. Odors work against you just as quickly, so pay extra attention to pet smells, smoke and anything that smells musty.

Before you leave, tuck valuables and personal paperwork out of sight, and make a plan for your pets. A barking dog in the background makes it hard for a buyer to imagine the house as theirs. I also tell my sellers not to be home during showings, so buyers can take their time without feeling rushed.

The free checklist fits on one page, so you can print it and keep it by the door.

Common questions about showing prep

What matters most if I only have ten minutes?

The things buyers see right away: made beds, clear counters, no dishes or trash in sight, and every light on. Clutter leaves in a basket with you.

Do I need to do the full hour-long list before every showing?

No. The ten-minute version covers the first impression. Save the deeper clean for when your schedule allows, like before a weekend full of showings.