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You only have one opportunity to make a great first impression, but you also are living in your home. I completely understand this. After you have taken the time to declutter and depersonalize your home, I will have a professional photographer take pictures to showcase your great home. When the photographer has sent me the photos, I will send them to you. This is so you know how your home looks in pictures, and also how your home looks “Camera Ready”. Please use these photos as a guide of how to maintain your home.
Because decluttering and depersonalizing your home is a process (emotionally, mentally, and physically) I recommend you do as soon as possible. Especially with books and shows like Mare Kondo’s Tidying Up, it is definitely possible to let go. I also recommend that you take down all family photos, names, trophies, report cards, and anything that the buyer can identify you as. Not only is this for privacy, but this is also important for the buyer to envision their own lives in the home.
Before your home is ready to be on the market, we need to also discuss showing instructions. How much notice do you need? 1 hour? 24 hours? The easier you make the showing instructions, the easier your home will be able to be shown. You also have you think about your family. Especially with your child’s nap schedules and having the pet situated so they don’t escape. This is one of the reasons why we need to communicate. Some days are going to be easier to show your home more than others.
One way to maintain your “Camera Ready” home is to wake up 30-60 minutes early. By doing this, you have extra time in the morning before you go to work to double check your home. As you do this more periodically, you may find that you need to adjust the time based on your family’s needs. May mornings are more hectic. In that case, I suggest before going to bed, make sure your home is ready to be shown.
Here are some ideas to quickly get your home “Camera Ready”
- Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
- Wipe down counters.
- Make the beds
- Remove used bathroom towels and replace with clean ones.
- Put down toilet seats.
- Take out the garbage.
- *If you have time, vacuum floors.
12 Habits People With Clean, Organized Homes Have in Common
I completely understand that it is going to be work to maintain a clean home. This is something you will have to do EVERY SINGLE DAY. However, you want the potential buyers to focus on your great home. I do believe in you, and I am looking forward to working with you!
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
