No matter how much you prepare before putting your home on the market, you’re likely to encounter a situation where your home needs to be in good showing condition and you have little time to make that happen. It’s impossible to keep an occupied home pristine at all times. Life happens— something more pressing could come up right before an open house, or maybe you receive a last minute showing request that you don’t want to turn away. If you’re on the clock and need to make your home presentable, here are the top areas to focus on that can be tidied quickly.

1. organize the entryway

Walking into a home that could be the one is an exciting first. You want it to be welcoming to buyers and have that wow factor right off the bat. If their first experience in the home is tripping over shoes, backpacks, or other items that were piled by the front door out of convenience— you’re already off on the wrong foot. Make sure mats or rugs are flat and the area is as clutter-free and accessible as possible.

2. wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces

We all know that kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a house— and not just by way of updates. It’s extremely hard for a buyer to feel comfortable or picture themselves living somewhere when there’s a pile of crumbs on the counter or toothpaste all over the bathroom. Make sure to wipe down hard surfaces like countertops, sinks, and toilets. You should also give the kitchen appliances and bathroom mirrors a quick once over.

3. hide excessive clutter

Not every property is going to look like a staged model home— and that’s okay! You don’t need to erase all traces of human life. However, if the clutter is more eye-catching than your home’s features, that’s a problem. Have a designated area, like a mail organizer, where you can easily round up any papers lying around. Most buyers want to get a look at the size of closets, but if you need to throw items in there in a hurry, it’s better to have a closet that’s not immaculate as opposed to a cluttered room. When you begin the selling process, get out some plastic totes or canvas storage bins so they’re readily available if you need to store items quickly. 

It can be hard to keep up with showing demands when you’re still living in a home. If you can check off these items before rushing out the door, it will make a big impact on your home’s appeal!