Staging
Clear rooms so a buyer can see the house, not the stuff in it.
Clear surfaces before you add anything
Empty counters and floors do more for a showing than extra decor.
Pack personal items before the first showing
Box photos, mail, and papers so the rooms show the house.
Finish the entry before the rest of the house
The front door and entry are the first rooms a visitor stands in. Finish those before the back closets.
Leave a clear path through each room
Move chairs and baskets so a visitor can walk in, turn around, and see the floor.
Open the window coverings the same way
Raise every shade to the same height so the light looks even from room to room.
Put pet gear away before showings
Move bowls, beds, and litter out of sight, and air the rooms they sat in.
Stop after one simple table setting
A plain setting on the table is enough. Extra decor on every surface works against you.
Leave closets partly empty
Take out enough clothes and boxes that a visitor can see the rod and the floor.