Showing a house while living there

Showing your house while still living there can feel weird. It’s your home. Now, you have to allow strangers – and nosy neighbors – to walk through your hallways like they own the place. Plus, it’s hard to tell how well a showing goes. Oftentimes, you don’t find out until much later. To really impress buyers, you’ll have to go all out when selling your property while residing in it. Here’s your go-to guide on how to show your house while living there and trying to maintain your sanity.

Showing a House While Living There

1. Keep It Clean and Clutter-Free

Let’s be honest, no one likes a messy house, especially potential buyers. Unless you are selling your home to a cash buyer completely as-is, you’ll want to clean it up. Start with keeping your home tidy at all times. It may seem overwhelming but is actually manageable with a bit of daily diligence. Trying to show a dirty house while living in it won’t work. Why go against the grain of what homebuyers prefer?

Turn cleaning your house into a habit. That way, it never gets that bad. A quick pick-up of toys in the living room or a wipe-down of bathroom surfaces can make a world of difference. By consistently cleaning (a little), you’re not faced with a Herculean task come showtime. Remember, a clean space is a bigger-looking space, and that’s what sells.

2. Make Quick Fixes a Priority

That squeaky door you’ve ignored for months or the chipped paint you’ve passed every morning? It’s time to fix them. Small repair jobs might not seem like deal-breakers, but they can sour the overall impression of your home. Buyers will notice the smallest details during a house showing. Address these issues before they walk through your property to keep their focus on the positives.

3. Get Smart with Storage

Clutter is the enemy of a good showing. Keep everyday items out of sight. There are tons of storage options to stache your goods. For example:

  • Ottomans that offer hidden compartments
  • Beds with built-in drawers
  • Attractive bins that can slide under furniture

Don’t make showing your house while living in it harder on yourself. Store your personal items away – not in huge piles across the floor. The goal is to have potential buyers focus on the space itself, not the stuff you have in it. Plus, it helps keep your home ready for a showing on short notice.

4. Neutralize the Niche

While your strange painting on the wall reflects your personality, it might not strike the same chord with buyers. Try to depersonalize your home while showing it and living there at the same time. If you want to put décor up, make sure it appeals to a wider audience. This doesn’t mean stripping all personality from your home since you are still living there. Instead, just tone it down a bit.

5. Create a Showing Routine

Show your house while living in it

Having a plan is crucial, especially when you need to get your home show-ready at a moment’s notice. Set up a quick routine that you and your family can follow — designate who does what, from tidying up rooms to dealing with pets.

This helps reduce stress and makes your home more presentable with minimal disruption to your daily life. Plus, sellers can’t rely on open houses to seal the deal nowadays. Even while living in the house, you’ll need to show it at different times throughout the week. Be flexible and make the home available to show when tour requests come through.

6. Safety First

Keep your valuables and personal information out of sight(AKA under lock and key). This means getting a small safe for your jewelry or a locked drawer for personal documents. Make securing these items a priority. Trying to show a house while living in it can turn into a lawsuit if items go missing. Secure your belongings and avoid any distractions for buyers.

7. Light It Right

Even if you prefer darkness, good lighting can transform a space. Open up all curtains and blinds to let in natural light when showing your home to buyers. Consider updating your light fixtures or adding more lamps to brighten up dark corners. Well-lit rooms are more inviting and can make your home feel larger and more open.

8. Freshen Up

Subtly scent your home with neutral air fresheners or diffuse essential oils to neutralize smells. Avoid strong or polarizing scents though. You want buyers to feel at ease, not overwhelmed. If you have a smelly roommate, tell them to stop smelling so bad. This touch of freshness can subtly influence buyers’ perceptions positively.

9. Don’t Forget the Exterior

First impressions count when showing your house and living in it. The exterior is the first thing potential buyers will see. If your tenant damaged the outside of your home, fix it. You don’t want to scare buyers off before they even walk inside.

How do you avoid pitfalls like that from happening? Vet your tenants if you are living with them inside your home. Make sure they earn 3x the income they owe you in monthly rent. That’s a good place to start when vetting tenants, protecting your home, and showing it while living there with them.

10. Be Ready to Show at All Times

Always be show-ready. This means maintaining all the above points consistently so that if a buyer does come knocking at an unexpected time, your home is all set to impress. This readiness avoids panic and last-minute preparations that can add unnecessary stress.