Your home needs to look ready for buyers.

But your family still needs to live there.

There are lunches to pack.

Laundry to wash.

Kids have toys.

Pets have bowls and beds.

Someone leaves shoes by the door.

And somehow you are supposed to keep the house ready for a showing?

For Augusta-area Move-Up Sellers, this can be one of the hardest parts of selling.

You may already feel like your family has outgrown the house.

Now you are being asked to make that same house feel clean, open, and easy for buyers to see.

The goal is not to make your home look perfect every minute of the day.

The goal is to create simple routines that make getting ready for a showing easier.

Here is where to start.

1. Start Packing Before You Put the Home on the Market

If you are moving, you will need to pack sooner or later.

Starting early can help with two problems at once.

It helps prepare you for the move.

It can also make your current home feel less crowded.

This is especially important if you are moving because your starter home feels too small.

Start with things your family does not use every day.

That may include:

• Seasonal clothing

• Holiday decorations

• Extra dishes

• Books

• Collections

• Extra toys

• Sports equipment

• Extra bedding

• Items stored in closets

• Decorations you can live without for a while

You do not need to pack the entire house.

Start with the things you can live without until you move.

2. Declutter the Rooms Buyers Will Notice First

When you live in a home every day, clutter can become part of the background.

Buyers see it differently.

Too much stuff can make a room feel smaller.

Start with the spaces that may make a strong first impression.

That could include:

• Entryway

• Living room

• Kitchen

• Primary bedroom

• Bathrooms

Look at each room and ask:

“What can leave this room until we move?”

You may be surprised by how much space you can create without changing the room itself.

3. Give Every Family Member a Quick-Cleanup Basket

Living in a home while selling means things will come back out.

That is normal.

Instead of fighting it, create a system.

Give each family member a basket or bin for everyday items.

Before a showing, things such as toys, books, chargers, homework, and other small items can go into the basket.

Then the basket can be stored in its planned spot.

This can be much faster than trying to organize every item perfectly before leaving the house.

Simple systems can make showing days easier.

4. Make the Kitchen Easy to Reset

The kitchen can become messy fast.

Breakfast.

Lunch boxes.

Snacks.

Dinner.

Dishes.

Mail.

Water bottles.

For a family living in a listed home, the goal is to make the kitchen easy to reset.

Try keeping fewer items on the counters.

Put away appliances you do not use often.

Give mail and school papers one place to go.

After meals, try to:

• Load or wash dishes

• Wipe counters

• Clean the sink

• Put food away

• Sweep obvious crumbs

• Put away items that collect on counters

You are not trying to create a kitchen nobody uses.

You are trying to create one that can be cleaned quickly.

5. Make Beds Part of the Morning Routine

Bedrooms can change the look of a home quickly.

An unmade bed can make an otherwise clean bedroom feel messy.

While your home is for sale, make the beds part of the morning routine.

It does not need to look like a hotel.

Pull up the covers.

Straighten the pillows.

Pick up clothing.

Put shoes away.

Clear nightstands of extra clutter.

A few minutes in the morning can save you from rushing around when a showing request comes in later.

6. Create a Fast Bathroom Routine

Bathrooms are another area where daily life shows up quickly.

Towels.

Toothbrushes.

Hair products.

Bath toys.

Makeup.

Toilet paper.

Instead of clearing the bathroom from scratch before each showing, give everyday items a place.

You might use a small basket or container for:

• Toothbrushes

• Toothpaste

• Hair products

• Makeup

• Shaving supplies

• Children's bath items

Before leaving for a showing:

• Hang or replace towels

• Clear the counter

• Wipe the sink

• Close the toilet lid

• Check the mirror

• Put personal items away

The goal is clean and simple.

7. Do Not Try to Hide Everything in Closets

This is tempting.

A showing is coming.

You grab everything and throw it into a closet.

Problem solved.

Except buyers may look inside closets.

Storage matters to many Move-Up Buyers.

If closets are packed from top to bottom, they may feel smaller.

Use the time before listing to remove items your family will not need soon.

Try to keep closets easy to open and easy to see.

You do not need empty closets.

You want buyers to be able to understand the storage space.

8. Create a Toy Plan

If you have young children, toys can feel like they multiply overnight.

You do not need to remove every toy from the home.

Instead, choose a smaller group for your children to use while the house is listed.

Pack or store the rest.

Use baskets or bins for the toys that stay.

This can make cleanup much faster.

It may also make the play area feel larger because fewer items are filling the room.

The same idea can work for:

• Video games

• Craft supplies

• Sports equipment

• Books

• Stuffed animals

• Board games

Your family still gets to live in the house.

You are simply making cleanup easier.

9. Have a Plan for Pets

Pets are part of the family.

But they also need a showing plan.

Think about:

• Food bowls

• Water bowls

• Beds

• Toys

• Litter boxes

• Crates

• Leashes

• Pet hair

• Yard cleanup

Decide where your pets will go during showings.

You may take them with you.

A family member may help.

You may have another safe arrangement.

The right plan depends on your pet and your household.

The important thing is to think about it before the first showing request arrives.

10. Keep a “Showing Kit” Ready

A showing kit can save time when you need to leave the house.

Keep a small container with basic cleaning supplies in an easy-to-reach place.

It might include:

• Cleaning cloths

• Multipurpose cleaner

• Paper towels

• Small trash bags

• Glass cleaner

• Lint roller

• Other quick-clean items you use

Then create a simple final walk-through routine.

Check the kitchen.

Check the bathrooms.

Pick up floors.

Open curtains or blinds as appropriate.

Turn on needed lights.

Take out obvious trash.

Make sure pets are handled.

Then go.

A routine can help you stop wondering whether you forgot something.

11. Keep Your Showing Routine Realistic

Selling your home does not mean your family stops having a life.

Children still have school.

You still have work.

There may be sports, appointments, dinner, homework, and bedtime.

Talk with your Realtor about the showing process and what works for your household.

Ask questions such as:

• How will showing requests arrive?

• How much notice might we receive?

• How do we respond?

• What should we do with pets?

• What happens if a requested time does not work?

• How can we prepare for busy showing days?

Knowing how the process works can help you build a routine around it.

12. Make a 15-Minute Showing Checklist

When everyone knows what to do, preparing can be much easier.

Give family members simple jobs.

One person can handle bedrooms.

Another can check the kitchen.

Someone can collect toys.

Someone can handle the pet supplies.

Your checklist might look like this:

Bedrooms: Make beds and pick up clothes.

Kitchen: Clear counters, dishes, and sink.

Bathrooms: Clear counters and check towels.

Living areas: Pick up toys and personal items.

Floors: Quick sweep or vacuum where needed.

Pets: Gather pets and supplies.

Final check: Lights, trash, doors, and personal items.

You do not need to deep clean the whole house before every showing.

Focus on the things that make the biggest visual difference.

13. Protect Your Privacy

When buyers tour your home, remember that they are entering the place where your family lives.

Before listing, put away private or valuable items.

That can include:

• Financial papers

• Personal documents

• Medications

• Jewelry

• Spare keys

• Mail with private information

• Small valuables

• Personal information displayed on calendars or boards

You can also consider reducing the number of personal photos and items around the home.

This can help protect your privacy while making it easier for buyers to focus on the house.

14. Get Out of the House During Showings

It may feel strange to leave while strangers tour your home.

But buyers generally need space to look around, talk, and think.

Use showing time as family time when possible.

You might:

• Visit a park

• Run errands

• Get a snack

• Visit family

• Go for a walk

• Spend time somewhere nearby

Have a few easy places in mind before the house goes on the market.

That way, you are not sitting in the car asking:

“Where are we supposed to go now?”

15. Remember Why You Are Doing This

Living in a home that is for sale can get tiring.

You may get tired of making beds.

Tired of clearing counters.

Tired of putting toys away.

Tired of leaving for showings.

When that happens, remember why you started.

You are not cleaning for the sake of cleaning.

You are preparing to move from a home your family has outgrown into one that fits what comes next.

Maybe that means:

More bedrooms.

A bigger yard.

More storage.

A home office.

Another bathroom.

More room for everyone.

Keeping that goal in mind can make the temporary inconvenience feel more manageable.

What Should You Do the Night Before a Busy Showing Day?

A little preparation the night before can make the next morning easier.

Try to:

• Run the dishwasher

• Clear kitchen counters

• Put away laundry

• Take out trash

• Pick up toys

• Pack school and work bags

• Put pet supplies together

• Check bathrooms

• Set out what the family needs for the morning

Then you have fewer things to handle before leaving.

The goal is to reduce the morning rush.

A Simple Daily Routine While Your Home Is for Sale

You do not need to deep clean every day.

Try building a few small habits into your normal schedule.

Morning

Make beds.

Put clothes away.

Clear bathroom counters.

Handle breakfast dishes.

During the Day

Put items back after using them.

Keep counters from collecting clutter.

Use baskets for quick cleanup.

Evening

Reset the kitchen.

Pick up toys.

Take out trash when needed.

Put away laundry.

Check the main living spaces.

Small resets can keep a home from becoming a large cleanup project before every showing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How clean does my house need to be for showings?

Aim for clean, tidy, and easy for buyers to walk through. Focus on kitchens, bathrooms, floors, clutter, beds, and the main living areas.

What do I do with my kids' toys when selling?

Keep a smaller group of favorite toys available and pack some of the rest. Baskets and bins can make cleanup faster before showings.

Should I empty my closets before selling?

You do not need empty closets. Removing items you do not need right now can make the storage easier for buyers to see.

What should I do with pets during a showing?

Create a plan based on your pet and household. You may take your pet with you or arrange another safe place during the showing.

Do I need to leave during a home showing?

Giving buyers space to tour the property can help them look around and discuss the home comfortably. Talk with your Realtor about how showings will be handled.

How do I keep my house ready to show with children?

Focus on routines instead of perfection. Pack extra items early, use baskets for fast cleanup, give family members simple jobs, and create a short showing checklist.

Meet Sherry Sanders

For Sherry Sanders, selling a family home is about more than preparing a property for buyers.

It is about helping a real family live through the process.

As a former educator in both Richmond County and Columbia County, Sherry understands that families need routines, simple instructions, and a plan they can actually follow.

Her approach is not about making your home look untouched.

It is about helping you decide what matters, prepare ahead, and make showing days easier to manage.

Her deep community roots and strong relationships with local businesses and service providers can also provide helpful resources during the selling and moving process.

Backed by more than two decades of local sales and leadership experience in real estate, Sherry specializes in helping Augusta-area Move-Up Buyers and Sellers prepare the home they have while planning for the home their family needs next.

Your home can still be lived in while it is listed.

The key is creating a simple system that works for your family.

Getting ready to sell your current home and move up in Augusta or the CSRA?

📞 Call Sherry Sanders at 706-877-7005 / 888-959-9461

🌐 Visit Sherry Sanders Realtor: sherrysandersrealtor.com

#SoldOnSherry