First impressions are everything when it comes to selling your home. Buyers appreciate staging that allows them to envision how spaces can be used while not overwhelming them with personal items and clutter. Keeping your home ready for spur of the moment tours can be difficult under the best of circumstances and can seem almost impossible if you have small children who still need to have access to their favorite toys. The following tips will help you keep your home in pristine condition for potential buyers while still keeping the little ones entertained.

Create Hidden Storage Areas:

As soon as you decide to list your home, you should purge your closets and cabinets of any items that your child has outgrown or no longer uses. Once you see what remains, use bins and plastic totes to maximize your closet storage space and organize clothes and toys according to what is needed every day and what can be stashed away until after the move. You will have a convenient place to stash toys, and the buyers will be amazed by your organizational abilities.

Remove the “Cute” Factor:

While bold colors and dinosaur or princess murals may be perfect for a child’s room, they can be a huge negative for potential buyers who may not be thrilled by the prospect of spending their weekends repainting. Before listing your home, redecorate in a neutral color scheme that will make it easier for buyers to see themselves living in the space. If you have a dedicated playroom in your home, remove as many of the toys as possible so that you can bring in a desk, couch, or other furniture that will show potential buyers how they can use the space.

Create a Pre-Tour Routine:

You should not be afraid to let your real estate agent know that you need at least two hours before any tour to make sure that your home is ship-shape. You should then create a checklist of chores that need to be done before each showing, including:

  • returning toys to the appropriate bin;
  • sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming the main traffic areas;
  • washing dirty dishes;
  • wiping down kitchen and bathroom counters;
  • picking up shoes, backpacks, and other items that may be cluttering up the entryway; and
  • taking out the trash and emptying the diaper pails.

It is important to keep in mind that while it may be challenging to maintain that “model home” look with young children in the picture, it is worth the extra effort if it helps you get into your dream home that much quicker.