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As a real estate agent, one of the key challenges you may face when helping clients sell their homes is ensuring the property remains show-ready at all times. While staging is an excellent way to present the home in its best light and attract buyers, it can be difficult for sellers to live in a staged home, especially when balancing busy lives. But don’t worry — there are plenty of strategies to help sellers keep their homes ready for showings while minimizing stress and maintaining comfort.
Here, we’ll explore tips for sellers on how to live comfortably in a staged home, keep the property show-ready and avoid potential pitfalls. With your expert guidance, your clients can increase their chances of selling quickly and for top dollar.
Why it’s important to keep a staged home show ready
First, it’s important to emphasize to sellers why keeping their homes in pristine condition during the listing period is essential. A staged home is designed to appeal to the emotional triggers of potential buyers. A clean, well-organized space helps buyers imagine themselves living in the home, which can lead to quicker offers and higher sale prices.
However, one messy or cluttered space can break that emotional connection for buyers. When they walk into a home that’s untidy or doesn’t look like the photos they saw online, they can become distracted by the clutter and may focus on negatives rather than the home’s best features. That’s why sellers must maintain the home in show-ready condition at all times.
Tip #1: Create a daily routine to stay show-ready
A daily cleaning and tidying routine can help sellers keep their homes looking fresh without the need for a deep clean every time there’s a showing. Encourage your clients to set aside 10-15 minutes in the morning before heading off to work and another 10-15 minutes in the evening to quickly tidy up common areas, wipe down countertops and do a quick vacuum or sweep if needed.
This daily routine can prevent messes from piling up and help your clients feel more in control of their space. Consider sharing a checklist of high-priority tasks to focus on daily, such as:
- making the beds (use photos taken on staging day as a reference to restyle the bed)
- clearing off countertops
- putting away toys, clothes and personal items
- wiping down kitchen and bathroom surfaces
- emptying the trash
- checking for pet messes or odours
Tip #2: Pre-pack personal and non-essential items
Encourage sellers to think of the staging process as the first step of moving. Ask them to pack away personal items, non-essential decor and excess furniture that could make the space feel cluttered or personalized. By doing this in advance, they’ll have fewer items to worry about maintaining and will make the home feel more neutral for potential buyers.
Not only does this help declutter, but it also reduces the number of personal belongings sellers have to organize every day. Plus, it gives them a head-start on moving once the home is sold!
Tip #3: Implement organizational systems
Having organizational systems in place can make a world of difference for sellers living in a staged home. Encourage them to invest in storage solutions like decorative baskets, bins and drawer organizers to keep essential items easily accessible but hidden from view.
Here are a few quick organization ideas that can help:
- baskets for storing items like shoes, blankets and kids’ toys in living areas
- bins or baskets inside closets to hide clutter
- drawer organizers in bathrooms and kitchens to keep counters clear but necessities closeby
- decorative trays on coffee tables or countertops to display essentials (like remote controls) in a stylish, controlled way
Tip #4: Designate ‘off-limits’ areas
If possible, recommend that sellers designate one or two rooms or spaces where they can store personal items and daily clutter when showings are scheduled. A basement storage room, garage or even an out-of-the-way guest bedroom can serve as a quick spot for stashing toys, laundry or paperwork before buyers arrive. Remember, this doesn’t mean that they should toss these items into the space — these storage spaces should always be neat and tidy.
This strategy can ease stress and provide a sense of relief for families who still need a bit of extra space for daily life but want to maintain the overall appearance of the home.
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