Updated September 2026If you are trying to determine whether you can afford a home in Apollo Beach, the mortgage payment is only the starting point.The real cost depends on the home itself, its
Are You Preparing Your House For Showings? Use My Free Quick Guide!
Dated: June 4 2020
Views: 1433
A Quick Guide to Preparing Your Home for Showings
The Ultimate Goal
To make your home stand out above every other property on the market.
When potential buyers tour your home, they will be accompanied by their agent and are often touring 5 to 7 properties in a single afternoon. Our goal is to ensure your home is the clear favorite.
Pro Tip: We strongly recommend that sellers and pets step out during scheduled showings. Buyers feel far more comfortable taking their time, speaking openly, and visualizing themselves living in the space when they have complete privacy.
Pre-Showing Checklist
Completing these quick steps before stepping out ensures your home is always presented in its best light.
1. First Impressions & Curb Appeal
Before buyers ever step inside, the exterior sets the tone for the entire tour.
Lawn Care: Keep the lawn freshly mowed with blades set high so the grass looks lush and full.
Landscaping: Trim hedges and low-hanging branches, keeping all walkways clear.
Tidy Up: Store away garden hoses, outdoor shoes, kids' toys, and trash bins out of view.
Windows & Entries: Ensure front windows and door glass are spotless.
2. Interior Staging & Clutter Control
Staging is all about creating clean lines and maximizing the feeling of space.
Surfaces: Clear kitchen countertops, leaving only minimal, intentional decor. Remove refrigerator magnets, exposed food, and small appliances.
Bathrooms: Hide personal items (toothbrushes, razors, bath loofahs). Hang fresh, unused decorative towels and polish mirrors and faucets.
Storage & Closets: Neatly organize linen closets, pantries, and clothes closets—buyers will open them to check storage capacity!
General Tidy: Make all beds, vacuum upholstered furniture, and clear away floor hazards like loose wires or slip-prone throw rugs.
Pets & Personal Details: Hide pet bowls, crates, and litter boxes. Put away ash trays and personal laundry.
3. Sensory Appeal & Ambiance
A great showing engages all the senses in a subtle, inviting way.
Lighting: Turn on all interior lights and accent lamps to make the home feel warm and bright. Double-check that no light bulbs are burned out.
Temperature: Keep the thermostat set to a comfortable, crisp setting (around 72°F–74°F for Florida climate comfort).
Air Quality: Avoid cooking foods with strong odors (seafood, heavy spices) the evening before or morning of a showing.
4. Safety & Valuables
For your peace of mind, secure all sensitive and valuable belongings prior to leaving:
High-Value Items: Jewelry, cash, credit cards, and luxury watches.
Electronics: Laptops, tablets, portable gaming devices, and smart accessories.
Personal Data: Financial documents, mail, prescriptions, and family passports.
Safes & Weapons: Ensure all firearms, ammunition, and dangerous items are safely locked away.
Showings are typically scheduled in 1 to 2-hour windows, though timing may vary. If any showing instructions for your property need adjusting, please reach out to our team right away!
Shawna Calvert
The Calvert Home Team at 27North Realty
Cell: 509-294-6818
Email: shawna@relocatingtoparadise.com
Shawna Calvert
Shawna Calvert: A Realtor Committed to Excellence, Service, and Client SatisfactionIf you are searching for a real estate agent in Apollo Beach or across the Tampa Bay waterfront market, you deserve t....
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 25, 2026 2:58 AM UTC
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
