When it comes time to put your home on the market part of your selling experience will include showings and likely an open house. I know this can be very stressful and overwhelming, especially if your balancing children and pets, with having to pack up and leave for each and every showing! Keep this list in mind, or print it off to help you do a quick checklist before you leave the house and make these things easier on your family!

Number 1: Surveillance on the property.

Outdoor and Indoor cameras on your property will help you see who is coming and going in your home. This also helps when you are not living in the home, to ensure there are no break ins or leaks while the home is vacant. Its helpful to put a sign or note in the property to remind people they are being recorded and help keep everyone acting respectful in your home.

Number 2: An Exclusive Benefits and Feature List.

I want you to come up with a list to give to your Agent of all the upgrades and distinguishing features of your home. No one knows the home like you do, and your Agent will likely being making custom brochures anyways, so add this list to help Buyers remember what's special and unique about your home when they leave.

Pro Tip: When you are making this list, I want you to leave out any emotional attachments and focus on factual items only. For example: "This is a great trick-or-treat street" (Emotional) vs. "The school has an new playground and excellent after school programs" (Factual).

Number 3: Every House Should Smell Great!

Now I know scent can be an issue for some people, but many people don't realize that every home has a scent already that owners become immune to. Your property should already be deep cleaned before it hits the market, but our sense of smell brings back strong memories! You want Buyers to walk in your home and think to themselves, "Wow this place is so clean, and smells amazing!" I think you can go for a clean smell, something fresh, or good old universally loved vanilla. Don't go to crazy, just something to scent the property that isn't harsh or polarizing. I have linked some ideas below!

Number 4: All the Lights Should be on and Dimmers Turned up!

This makes the house look brighter and bigger. While were on this subject, the light bulbs all need to be working. (The non-working bulbs WILL come up on your inspection report).

Number 5: Every Room Needs to be Easily Accessible.

Every hallway and room should be easily walked through, so any extra or bulky furniture should be removed. Dining rooms seem to always have one to many chair, and living rooms should have a nice flow to move freely. The garage can be a holding area, just make sure its organized and that your not blocking any items an inspector will need to check.

Number 6: Toilet Lids Should be DOWN!!

This should go without saying, but I see this one a ton. Lids need to be down, period, end of story. Actually, while where in the bathroom, any rugs/mats in these rooms should be gone. Its unhygienic and not necessary.

Number 7: Fresh Paint and Paint Touch Ups.

If your looking to spend any money on something that will produce the greatest return on investment, its a fresh coat of paint. If your walls are already fairly neutral, touch ups will suffice. Don't forget the baseboards, the are always a tell tale sign of a well maintained home. On the exterior, freshly painted garage doors are always a great idea, and bonus points if you have a freshly painted front door. Hello curb appeal!! Top paint colour recommendations linked below.

Number 8: Every Home Needs to Have Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

These are sometimes items in our homes that we forget need to be maintained and checked. Make sure you have them installed in the correct areas, and that they have fresh batteries, and are working properly before people walk through the home.

Number 9: Every Home Should Have a Secure Location for Valuables and Prescription Medicine.

We don't want to be leaving our medicine cabinets open for people to browse and we also do not want to leave expensive or irreplicable items left out in the open. So make sure to secure these items in a plastic bin and put it somewhere hidden while your home is being walked through. Agents do the best we can when showing a home and always try to keep a close eye on people, while not becoming overbearing, but accidents happen and its always better to be safe than sorry.

Number 10: The MOST Important: Your Realtor!!!

We all charge the same, why not hire someone who is willing and able to do the most for the sale of your home!? If your Realtor is on site for showings it helps with keeping your home safe and secure, and allows the Seller to get better feedback from a showing. No one knows the home better than the Seller, but their Realtor is a close second! So try to hire a full-service Agent who will get out there and as my British In-laws would say..."Get Amongst it!"

Hope you got some value from this post! Comment below if there's anything I missed or touched on that you liked! :)

Home Scent Links:

Bath and Body Works Room Spray:

Diptyque Baies Candle:

Top Paint Colour Recommendations:

Benjamin Moore's White Dove OC-17

Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace OC-65