Getting your home ready for showings

If you have been in the military for any amount of time, then more than likely you have moved. Moving is part of the process, isn’t it? And moving becomes a little bit more complicated when we need to sale a home. Often, we need to sale quickly and it is in the middle of chaos, so we need to create the calm and be deliberate about our showings to sale our home and get top dollar. When we prepare for showings and create a home that is welcoming and inviting, we are creating a space that a new family can see as their home. In that preparation I have found that the little things are the big things so here are some tips to help you get started. 

1. Walk through your house with a notepad and look for things that need fixed or updated. Even little things can catch the eye of the buyer and change their mind in one direction or another. You can look at light switches, plugs, drawer pulls and paint. Make sure things match and that they aren’t distracting. 
2. Take out the clutter. Clutter is the first thing a buyer will notice and takes them out of the experience. Nobody wants more clutter, and it can be overwhelming to them. It can also make your house appear smaller and point out any lack of storage. 
3. Clean the house. This may seem like something everyone does, but it always amazes me how many homes we have been to that didn’t do this. Doing a quick clean of the little things will make a difference. Make sure beds are made, laundry is put away and dirty dishes are cleaned and put away. 
4. Remove personal items so that the new family could see their family in the home instead of yours. Personal pictures, mementos, collections, and nick knacks are distracting and often make buyers unable to visualize themselves in the home. 
5. Have a tough love friend walk through the house and give advice and if you can find a friend that hasn’t ever been to your house that is helpful since they are coming in as a buyer would for the first time.
6. Don’t forget to look behind closed doors because buyers will look there. Think about your closets, drawers and even the refrigerator. 
7. Think about lighting and look at your home at different times of the day. Maximize what makes your house special through customized lighting.  
8. Little things make the difference so look at the pillows on coaches and beds, add flowers to a table and create warmth through extras. 
9. Maximize what makes your house special. If the closet is huge make sure that door is open, and the closet is featured with less clothing, matching hangers, and good lighting. If your view is what matters don’t block it with furniture and make sure it is highlighted.
10. Don’t forget the backyard, garage, and front entrance. Remember the first impression happens immediately so make sure to make the entry welcoming. 
11. Smells make an impact. Think about the wonderful smells that mean home to you. For me those smells are fresh cinnamon, apple pie or vanilla. The fresh smell of lavender is also comforting, but just make sure that the smells aren’t overwhelming. 

When staging, prepping, and preparing our homes is done correctly it can help sale our home quicker and it can bring in more money which are both great benefits in the middle of a military move. These tips are going to help you in your transition and take the chaos out of moving and if you are looking for more support did you know you can find agents and experts at MilHousing Network? You are not alone in the process and reaching out for support can make the difference. Moving and selling a home can be tough, but little things do make a difference. 

As CEO for Inspirational Inc. and founder of “Tea With Chantel” trainings & workshops, Chantel Mathson inspires women to live with purpose and build thriving community. She has traveled all over the U.S. and Canada, speaking and inspiring others to become impact makers. Chantel has been a featured speaker at NASA Space Center, The University of Notre Dame and numerous national conferences. She is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, blogger, bible teacher, military spouse mentor, author, and professor of communications. Chantel shares her heart and home with her husband, three kids and two dogs in California. As a Military spouse she has moved twelve times and has a heart for helping military wives connect, find their purpose, and create community. Her Tea with Chantel business evolved as she moved across the country and had to create new community herself. She is always ready to share a cup of tea and would love to connect…  FB/Twitter/Linkedin/IG @teawithchantel or Instagram.com/teawithmilitarywives and teawithchantel.com

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