Before Showings & Open Houses

Before Showings & Open Houses

Once your property is officially listed for sale, every showing becomes an opportunity to attract the right buyer and generate an offer.

The way your property looks, feels, smells, and functions during showings can directly impact buyer interest and the strength of offers received.

Many buyers will decide within the first few minutes whether they are excited about the property or mentally moving on to the next one. Proper preparation before every showing and open house is extremely important.

Your Goal During A Showing

The goal is simple:

Make it as easy as possible for buyers to picture themselves living in the property.

Buyers should feel comfortable, welcomed, and emotionally connected to the home. The less distractions there are, the easier it is for buyers to focus on the actual property.

Keep The Property Clean

The property should be kept in showing-ready condition as much as reasonably possible while listed for sale.

Pay close attention to:

• Floors

• Countertops

• Bathrooms

• Kitchens

• Mirrors

• Windows

• Dust

• Pet hair

• Garbage and recycling

• Laundry

• Beds and bedding

Even small amounts of clutter or dirt can negatively affect buyer perception.

Control Odours

Smell is one of the first things buyers notice when entering a property.

Avoid:

• Strong cooking smells

• Smoke smells

• Pet odours

• Heavy perfumes or air fresheners

The goal is for the home to smell fresh and clean, not overpowering.

If you become accustomed to smells in your own home, remember that buyers may notice them immediately.

Improve Lighting

Bright homes generally show better.

Before leaving for a showing:

• Turn on lights

• Open blinds and curtains

• Allow as much natural light in as possible

• Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately

Dark homes can feel smaller, older, and less inviting.

Temperature Matters

Make sure the property is at a comfortable temperature during showings and open houses.

If the home is too hot, too cold, humid, or uncomfortable, buyers may rush through the showing and spend less time appreciating the property.

Reduce Clutter

Countertops, tables, desks, bathrooms, and entryways should remain as clear as possible.

Too many personal belongings can:

• Make rooms feel smaller

• Distract buyers

• Make storage spaces feel inadequate

• Prevent buyers from mentally placing themselves in the home

Put Personal Items Away

Whenever possible, remove or minimize:

• Family photos

• Personal paperwork

• Valuables

• Medications

• Jewelry

• Sensitive documents

• Political or religious items

This helps create a more neutral environment and protects your privacy.

Pets During Showings

Not all buyers are comfortable around animals.

Whenever possible:

• Remove pets during showings

• Clean pet areas thoroughly

• Hide food bowls, litter boxes, crates, and pet supplies

• Address pet odours and hair carefully

Even buyers who love animals may still react negatively to pet smells or mess.

Before Leaving For A Showing

Here are a few quick final steps sellers should consider before every showing:

• Turn on lights

• Open blinds and curtains

• Make beds

• Clear countertops

• Put away dishes

• Empty garbage if needed

• Secure valuables

• Ensure bathrooms are clean

• Adjust temperature if necessary

• Leave the property during the showing

During The Showing

Sellers should generally leave the property during showings and open houses whenever possible.

Buyers tend to feel uncomfortable speaking openly when the seller is present. This can affect:

• How long they stay

• Their comfort level

• Their emotional connection to the property

• The feedback they provide to their Realtor

The goal is to allow buyers to comfortably explore the property and imagine themselves living there.

Open House Expectations

Open houses can help expose the property to additional buyers and generate awareness. However, sellers should understand that open houses are primarily a tool to increase exposure and buyer traffic.

Open houses do not guarantee offers or sales.

The most important factors that still drive buyer activity are:

• Price

• Presentation

• Location

• Overall value compared to competing properties

Understand Buyer Behaviour

Today’s buyers are highly educated and extremely visual.

Most buyers have already viewed dozens of properties online before ever stepping through your door.

That means presentation matters more than ever.

Small details that sellers overlook can heavily influence how buyers perceive the property’s value and condition.

Final Thoughts

Every showing is an opportunity.

The better your property presents itself, the greater the chances of attracting strong buyer interest and generating better offers.

Preparation does not guarantee a sale, but poor preparation can absolutely hurt one.

Our recommendation is simple:
Treat every showing like it could be the buyer who purchases your home.