What Buyers Actually Notice at Showings (It’s Not What You Think)
You spent three days staging your bookshelf. You alphabetized your cookbooks. And added a tiny jade plant. But the buyer didn’t even look.
It’s not your fault. Most sellers focus on the wrong things because no one tells them what actually matters.
Let’s fix that.
1. Smell > Sight
Buyers will forgive outdated counters.
They will not forgive the faint scent of mildew, litter box, or “what died in the garbage disposal.”
Before showings:
Take the trash out. Every time.
Run a load of laundry with vinegar if you’ve got pets.
Open windows, use subtle air purifiers—not candles trying too hard.
If a house smells clean and fresh, it feels safe and cared for. End of story.
2. Lighting Sells Homes
Dark rooms feel smaller. Dingier.
Like they’re hiding something.
Before a showing:
Open every blind.
Turn on all the lights (even the one over the stove).
Replace burnt-out bulbs with daylight LEDs for a consistent glow.
Your home should feel bright, welcoming, and alive.
3. Clean Floors Matter More Than Fancy Counters
Granite’s great. But if your baseboards are furry with dust and your floors are gritty, that’s all buyers will remember.
Focus on:
Vacuum lines in the carpet (yes, they work psychologically)
Shiny, streak-free hardwoods or tile
Clean grout and baseboards
People assume a clean home is a well-maintained home.
4. Closet Space = Emotional Safety
This one’s weird, but real:
If your closets are overstuffed, buyers feel like they won’t fit in the home either.
Aim for:
25–50% empty shelves and hangers
Matching bins or baskets to create visual calm
Nothing on the floor unless it’s a shoe
You’re not selling the stuff. You’re selling space.
5. The Vibe Matters Most
Buyers want to feel it. Like, this could be home.
That feeling is emotional, not logical.
They’ll forget the thread count on your guest bed. But they’ll remember how your house made them feel.
So instead of obsessing over throw pillows:
Put on soft music if you’re home before they arrive
Turn the thermostat to a comfortable 72
Leave a little card that says “Thanks for coming!”
It makes your home feel like a place, not a product. And that changes everything.
Thinking of Selling?
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