The housing market is heating up again, which is great for anyone who has had the “For Sale” sign out a while, but with this good news comes the need to be ready to show your house on a moment’s notice.  Angie’s List offers tips on how to stage your home on short notice.

 A lot of us struggle daily to keep our homes ready for unexpected guests, and listing your house means being ready for inspection 24/7.

Angie Hicks, Angie’s List Founder, “When selling your home, you want to just live a little tidier during that phase of your life because you might have to show your home on a moment’s notice and want to be able to clean up quick and be out of the house.”

Gavin Frost, Real estate agent, “We want it to feel like  when a buyer walks in  there’s nothing to do. There’s no bills to pay, there’s no dishes to wash, there’s no floors to clean… nothing.”  

There’s no shame in gathering up the clutter and taking it with you.

Gavin Frost, “Grab an empty laundry basket or a hamper. Start throwing everything in there. We’re talking dirty clothes, toys, the daily clutter, all that stuff. We want to put it in there and work our way through the house. That is going to go into your car when you leave.”

Some areas need more than a quick pick-up. Your kitchen and bathrooms need to shine.

Gavin Frost, “No water left over from your morning shower because we don’t want to be thinking about that. Make sure that the lid on the toilet is shut. It’s a good rule across the board  all lids on everything in the house should be shut. Then the sink  same deal. Wipe it out real quick and then put out some fresh towels.”

It’s great if you love your pet, but consider the buyer who may be allergic. Take your pet and all evidence  including toys and litterbox  away before the showing.

Angie Hicks, “Don’t forget the little things when showing your house. Things like fresh flowers or live plants can really warm up your home and make it very inviting.”

The goal is to make buyers comfortable  making them feel “at home.”

Gavin Frost, “When you walk around, you feel invited into this home. If you can match that as close as possible to your own home, you’ll be nailing it.”

Angie recommends storing family photos and other personal nick-knacks, and removing about half the items in your closets to make them look roomier.