"Can we show your home in an hour?" If your house is on the market, this call is coming. The sellers who handle it calmly aren't superhuman — they just have a routine. Here's a 30-minute sprint that gets your home showing-ready without the panic.
Minutes 1–5: The speed tour
Grab a laundry basket and walk every room. Into the basket goes: mail on the counter, shoes by the door, toys, remotes, dishes in the sink, bathroom counter clutter, dirty laundry. Stash the basket in your car trunk — not in a closet buyers will open.
Minutes 5–15: Kitchen and bathrooms
These two areas make or break a showing. Wipe down kitchen counters and the stovetop, empty the trash, and put out a fresh hand towel. In bathrooms: toilet lids down, mirrors wiped, counters cleared, fresh towels hung. If you have 60 seconds, run the disposal with a lemon half — it freshens the whole kitchen.
Minutes 15–20: Floors and surfaces
Quick vacuum of the main living areas and a sweep of hard floors. Fluff the couch pillows, straighten throw blankets, make the beds. You're not deep-cleaning — you're removing the visual noise that distracts buyers.
Minutes 20–25: Light and air
Open all the blinds and curtains. Turn on every light — overheads, lamps, even closet lights. Open a few windows if the weather's nice (in Louisiana, that's a judgment call in August). A bright house feels bigger and happier.
Minutes 25–30: The finishing touches
- Take out all the trash — kitchen, bathrooms, everywhere
- Put pets in a crate or take them with you, and hide the bowls and litter box
- Set the thermostat to a comfortable 72 — a hot, stuffy house kills showings in our climate
- Lock up valuables, medications, and personal documents
- One last look at the front entrance — sweep it, straighten the mat
Set yourself up for next time
Keep a "showing kit" ready: cleaning wipes, a trash bag, air freshener, and that laundry basket by the door. Maintain the decluttered baseline while you're listed — it's far easier to keep a clean house clean than to rescue a messy one in 30 minutes.
One rule
Leave during the showing. Buyers won't speak freely with the seller hovering, and your agent can't do their best work with you in the next room. Take a walk, grab coffee — let the house sell itself.
Selling in Baton Rouge? I'll help you prep the house and handle the showings so you don't have to stress — (225) 570-1234.
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