So you’ve got a showing coming up and you want everything to go smoothly — that’s great! But here’s the thing: there are some habits that drive real estate agents absolutely crazy, and most sellers have no idea they’re even doing them.
Before you prep your home for potential buyers, it’s worth knowing what *not* to do. Some of these might surprise you!
1.) Leaving Dishes in the Sink
A sink full of dirty dishes is one of the fastest ways to turn off a potential buyer. It makes the kitchen look messy and gives the impression that the home isn’t well cared for.
Before a showing, wash the dishes, dry them, and put them away. If you’re short on time, toss them in the dishwasher and run it. Buyers will open cabinets, but they’re far less likely to check the dishwasher. A clean, clear sink goes a long way.
2.) Keeping Personal Photos Displayed
Buyers need to picture themselves living in your home — and that’s really hard to do when your family photos are everywhere. Wedding portraits, holiday snapshots, kids’ artwork on the fridge — it all reminds buyers that this is *your* space, not theirs.
Before a showing, pack up personal photos and store them out of sight. Replace them with simple, neutral decor if needed. It’s a small step, but it helps buyers mentally “move in” faster, which can actually lead to better offers.
3.) Leaving Pets Unsecured
Your pet might be the friendliest creature on the planet, but buyers don’t know that. A dog barking from behind a closed door or a cat weaving between people’s legs can make potential buyers rush through the home instead of actually looking around.
Try to arrange for pets to stay with a friend, neighbor, or at a daycare during showings. Also, do a quick sweep for food bowls, litter boxes, and pet hair — those details can distract buyers from seeing your home’s best features.
4.) Overpowering Air Fresheners
Buyers are going to notice if you’ve gone overboard with air fresheners, and not in a good way. A cloud of artificial scent can actually make people wonder what you’re trying to cover up — mold, pets, smoke? It raises red flags fast.
Instead, open some windows to air the place out a day or two before the showing. If you want a light, fresh scent, a simple candle or a bowl of citrus fruits works without being overwhelming.
5.) Leaving Lights Off
Dark rooms feel small and uninviting, which is the last thing you want during a showing. Before buyers arrive, go through every room and flip on the lights — yes, even the closets and bathrooms.
Natural light is great, but it’s not always enough, especially on cloudy days or in rooms with small windows. Layering in lamps and overhead lights makes the space feel warm and open. It’s a small thing that takes two minutes and makes a real difference.
6.) Cluttered Kitchen Countertops
Buyers want to imagine themselves cooking in your kitchen, and that’s pretty hard to do when your blender, mail pile, fruit bowl, and coffee maker are all fighting for space on the counter.
Clear everything off — yes, everything — and only put back one or two small items at most. A clean counter makes the whole kitchen look bigger and more organized.
Think of it this way: less stuff out means buyers can actually focus on the kitchen itself, not your clutter.
7.) Unmade Beds
An unmade bed sends the wrong message to buyers. It makes the whole room feel messy and lived-in, which can be a turn-off even if everything else looks great.
Before a showing, take five minutes to make the bed properly — smooth out the sheets, fluff the pillows, and pull up the comforter. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference in how the room photographs and feels to buyers walking through.
8.) Staying Home During Showings
It might feel awkward leaving your own home, but staying during a showing is one of the biggest mistakes sellers make. Buyers feel uncomfortable when the owner is hovering around, and they’ll rush through the house just to avoid conversation.
Give buyers the space to actually picture themselves living there. Step out, grab a coffee, and let your agent do their job. Even 30 to 60 minutes away can make a real difference in how buyers respond to your home.
9.) Leaving Laundry Out
Dirty socks on the floor, a pile of clothes on the bed, or a laundry basket overflowing in the corner — none of these things are doing you any favors during a showing. Buyers notice everything, and clutter like this makes spaces feel smaller and less cared for.
Before anyone walks through the door, put clothes away, move laundry baskets to a closet, and do a quick sweep of any random items left on furniture. It only takes a few minutes but makes a real difference.
10.) Following Buyers Around
It might feel natural to want to point out every little feature as buyers walk through your home, but agents say it’s one of the most common mistakes sellers make. Hovering over people makes them feel rushed and uncomfortable, so they can’t picture themselves actually living there.
Give buyers space to talk openly with their agent and take their time in each room. Step outside or wait in one area of the house while the showing happens.
11.) Overly Personalized Décor
Your collection of family photos, monogrammed pillows, and personalized wall art might feel like home to you — but to buyers, it can make it harder to picture themselves living there.
Before a showing, pack away anything with your name, initials, or too many personal touches. A few neutral pieces are totally fine, but the goal is a space that feels open and welcoming to anyone who walks through.
Think of it like a blank canvas — let buyers do the imagining.
12.) Closed Curtains and Blinds
Leaving the curtains and blinds shut makes rooms feel dark and closed off, which is the last thing you want during a showing. Natural light is one of the biggest selling points in any home, so why hide it?
Before buyers arrive, open everything up. Pull back the curtains, raise the blinds, and let the light in. If a window has an ugly view, use sheer curtains instead of blocking it out completely. A bright room always feels more welcoming.
13.) Strong Cooking Odors
Cooking a big meal right before a showing might seem cozy and inviting, but strong smells — think fish, garlic, or fried food — can actually turn buyers off fast. Even if you love the smell, they might not, and it can make the home feel less clean.
Open windows, run the exhaust fan, and try to avoid heavy cooking at least a day before. If you want a pleasant scent, keep it simple and subtle — maybe just fresh air.
14.) Visible Toiletries Everywhere
Your bathroom counter probably feels personal to you, but buyers don’t want to see your razors, face wash, and deodorant lined up like a drugstore display. It makes the space feel small and cluttered, and it’s just a little too personal for strangers walking through.
Before a showing, box everything up and stash it under the sink or in a cabinet. Leave out one or two simple items at most. A clean, clear counter makes the bathroom look bigger and more move-in ready.
15.) Oversharing Home Issues
You might think being upfront about that leaky faucet or the basement that floods every spring makes you seem honest, but buyers don’t need to hear it from you during a showing. That’s what disclosure forms are for.
Let your agent handle those conversations at the right time and in the right way. Volunteering problems before a buyer has even fallen in love with the place can kill a deal before it starts.
16.) Talking About Your Price
Mentioning your asking price — or how flexible you are on it — before a showing is a mistake that can cost you. Buyers and their agents pick up on every little comment, and it can change how they view the home before they’ve even walked through the door.
Keep price talk between you and your agent only. If a buyer asks you directly, just smile and say your agent handles all of that. It’s a simple move that keeps your negotiating position safe.
