12 Expert Tips for Showing Your House to Potential Buyers

Tip 2: Declutter every room before buyers arrive

Clutter has a way of making rooms feel smaller than they really are. Start by clearing countertops, tables, desks, and other flat surfaces, then go room by room and remove anything you don’t need while your home is on the market.

Don’t stop at the spaces buyers see first. Many buyers will open closets, cabinets, pantries, and garage doors to get a sense of the home’s storage space. Keep these areas tidy and organized, but resist the urge to hide extra belongings inside. Packed closets and overflowing cabinets can make storage feel limited.

If you simply have too much stuff, renting a temporary storage unit can be a worthwhile investment. The more open and organized your home feels, the easier it is for buyers to imagine themselves living there.

Tip 3: Depersonalize your home without making it feel empty

When buyers walk through your home, you want them to imagine their life there, not yours. That means packing away some of the more personal touches, including family photos, awards, collections, and highly personalized décor.

That doesn’t mean the house should feel bare, though. Leave enough furniture and simple accessories to make each room feel comfortable and show how the space can be used. A well-furnished home generally feels more inviting than an empty one, which can come across as cold or make rooms feel harder to interpret.

Think of it as creating a blank canvas. The fewer personal distractions buyers see, the easier it is for them to picture themselves settling into the home.

Tip 4: Make small repairs before showing your house

Buyers tend to notice the little things during showings. A burned-out light bulb, a dripping faucet, a loose cabinet handle, or chipped paint may not be expensive to fix, but together they can leave the impression that the home hasn’t been well maintained.

Before listing, knock out simple repairs like replacing light bulbs, fixing sticking doors, tightening loose hardware, patching damaged screens, and touching up paint. If your cabinets or walls are looking dated, consider updating the hardware and applying a fresh coat of neutral paint.

Those updates can pay off. In HomeLight’s recent Top Agent Insights report, a nationwide survey of leading real estate agents, 84% said move-in-ready features, such as fresh paint or updated kitchens and bathrooms, are helping homes sell as buyers become more selective and less willing to take on projects.

As South Carolina real estate agent Anthony Gallo explains, “These updates signal that the property is move-in ready, allowing buyers to focus on the home’s potential rather than compiling a list of immediate repairs, which typically leads to higher offer prices.”

Tip 5: Improve curb appeal before every house showing

Buyers start forming an opinion about your home before they ever step through the front door. As inventory increases in many markets across the country, buyers have more homes to choose from, making first impressions more important than ever.

Before each showing, spend a few minutes improving your curb appeal:

• Mow the lawn, pull weeds, and trim shrubs.
• Sweep walkways, the porch, and front steps.
• Rake leaves and clear away branches or other yard debris.
• Take down out-of-season holiday lights and decorations.
• Clear snow or ice from walkways in winter, and keep entryways dry on rainy days.
• Clean the front door, porch, and exterior light fixtures.
• Put away trash bins, hoses, toys, and yard tools.
• Add a few potted plants or fresh mulch if the yard needs a quick boost.

A tidy exterior helps set the tone for the rest of the showing. As Gallo explains:

“A home that appears well-tended from the street is one that buyers are more willing to pursue aggressively when it comes time to sign a contract.”

Tip 6: Let in natural light and create a comfortable atmosphere

A bright, comfortable home encourages buyers to slow down and take a closer look. Before every showing, open the blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Then turn on lights throughout the house, even during the day, so darker rooms don’t feel dim or closed off.

“I always tell my clients, turn every light on like you want to make it a Christmas tree,” says Nicolas Jonville, a top California agent with more than two decades of experience.

Don’t overlook the temperature, either. Set the thermostat to a comfortable level for the season so buyers aren’t distracted by a home that’s too hot or too cold.

These small touches can make a big difference. When a home feels bright, comfortable, and inviting, buyers are more likely to spend time exploring the space and imagining themselves living there.

Tip 7: Stage your home to highlight its best features

Stage your home to help buyers focus on the space, not the stuff inside it. Arrange furniture to create an easy flow from room to room, and give every space a clear purpose. If you have hardwood floors, a fireplace, built-in shelving, large windows, or recent upgrades, make sure those features are easy to see rather than hidden behind furniture or décor.

If you’re not sure where to start, ask your real estate agent for advice or bring in a professional home stager. As DePauw points out, interior design is subjective, and a stager brings an expert perspective on how to best showcase your home’s strengths.

The effort is often worth it. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 83% of buyers’ agents say staging helps buyers picture themselves living in a home. Sellers’ agents are most likely to stage the living room, primary bedroom, and dining room, making those spaces a good place to focus your time and budget.

Tip 8: Eliminate odors and distracting noise

Strong odors and unnecessary noise can distract buyers from the home itself. Before every showing, take a few minutes to:

• Empty trash cans and clean kitchen drains.
• Address pet, smoke, moisture, or cooking odors.
• Avoid cooking foods with strong smells before buyers arrive.
• Turn off televisions and anything else that creates background noise.

When it comes to scents, less is more. DePauw recommends keeping your home as neutral as possible. As he puts it, “Stay away from bleach or overpowering smells that can be irritating and off-putting for buyers.” In the same vein, use candles and air fresheners sparingly.

DePauw still likes the old-school idea of baking cookies before a showing, but it’s far from a requirement. A home that simply smells clean and fresh is usually your best bet.

Some sellers like to play soft background music during a showing, but in most cases, a quiet home is the better choice. It gives buyers space to talk with their agent and focus on the house.

Tip 9: Remove pets and signs of pets during showings

Whenever possible, arrange for pets to be out of the home during showings. A barking dog or nervous cat can make it harder for buyers to focus, while the showing itself can be stressful for your pet.

Before buyers arrive:

• Clean litter boxes, pet bedding, and feeding areas.
• Vacuum up pet hair and steam-clean carpets and rugs.
• Put away food bowls, toys, crates, and leashes.

“Dog smell and pet smell in the house — that’s a deal breaker for a lot of people. Pet barking is a total deal breaker,” says Jonville. Pets can also create unexpected chaos. Jonville recalls one showing where a loose dog escaped, turning the home tour into a chase down the street.

If possible, ask a friend, neighbor, or sitter to watch your pet until the showing is over.

Tip 10: Secure valuables before every showing

Even with a trusted agent, it’s smart to take a few precautions before opening your home to buyers. Before every showing:

• Lock away jewelry, cash, medications, keys, collectibles, and small electronics.
• Put away financial documents, mail, calendars, and paperwork with personal information.
• Remove anything that reveals your family’s routines, especially children’s names, schedules, or photos.

If you’re hosting an open house or selling your home without an agent, require appointments whenever possible, keep a record of visitors, and avoid hosting showings alone. After each showing, do a quick walkthrough to make sure doors and windows are locked and nothing has been left behind or gone missing.

Tip 11: Leave the house during buyer showings

One of the best things you can do during a showing is leave. Buyers usually feel more comfortable when they can open closets, look around, and talk openly with their agent without worrying that the seller is listening.

Leaving also helps you avoid saying something that could hurt negotiations, such as how eager you are to sell or what you wish you had updated.

If possible, take children and pets with you and plan to be away until the showing is over. If you’re selling without an agent, greet buyers, answer any initial questions, and then give them space to look around at their own pace.

Turn Open Houses Into Real Results

Open houses can bring buyers through the door, but a great agent helps turn that interest into serious offers. Partner with an experienced real estate agent to make the most of every open house and position your home for a successful sale.

Find a Top Agent

Tip 12: Use buyer feedback to improve future showings

Ask your agent for feedback after every showing, but don’t focus on a single buyer’s opinion. Instead, pay attention to comments that come up repeatedly.

If several buyers mention the same issue, whether it’s clutter, dim lighting, pet odors, room layout, or the temperature, it’s probably worth making a change before the next showing. Many of those fixes are inexpensive and can be tackled in a day.

If buyers keep raising concerns about the home’s condition or price, talk it through with your agent before making any changes. Sometimes a small adjustment is all it takes to generate more interest.

Final tips for showing your house successfully

The best tips for showing your house come down to a few basics: Keep your home clean, bright, comfortable, and ready for buyers.

Before every showing:

✓ Make the beds.
✓ Put away dishes and laundry.
✓ Wipe kitchen and bathroom counters.
✓ Vacuum high-traffic areas.
✓ Empty trash cans.
✓ Open blinds and curtains.
✓ Turn on lights.
✓ Set a comfortable temperature.
✓ Remove pets.
✓ Secure valuables and medications.
✓ Take one final walk through the home and yard.

If you’d like expert guidance, HomeLight can connect you with a top local real estate agent who can help you prioritize pre-listing improvements, prepare your home for showings, and develop a strategy to attract buyers.

If keeping your home show-ready feels like the hardest part of selling, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program may help. Eligible homeowners can buy their next home before selling their current one, making it easier to move out before listing and keep the home available whenever buyers want to visit.

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