Perfect strangers peaking into every cranny of your home. Sounds blissful... NOT! As unpleasant as showing your home may be, it's a necessary part of the selling process. If you're serious about selling your home, better hunker down and get ready for the showings.

-Make sure your home, inside and out is beyond reproach.  Clear away debris, clean your house from top to bottom. Nothing is more important than curb appeal and first impressions.

- Declutter your decor. You want the potential buyers to think of your home as theirs, not yours. Often personal momentos and cloud the view. You don't want someone to not choose to buy your home because of Aunt Sylvia's photo.

-Gather materials about your home for viewing. Locate owners manuals for appliances and floorplans or drawings from your home's purchase and place them in a convenient location for those viewing your home.

-Bake cookies or another good smelling food in the oven to give your home an inviting aroma. Cinnamon sticks placed in boiling water offers a faster way to get that homey-smell.

-Try not to be home. It is best for you to be gone when your home is being shown. Potential buyers may not feel as comfortable with you there.

-If you must be home, refrain from giving the "guided tour." Retreating to another room after a polite hello is the best way to give the home shoppers their privacy.

-Play soft music in the background. Some sources recommend playing soft music in the background while others say "silence is golden." You and your Realtor can be the judge.

-Open your windows wide. Let the sun shine through the windows giving the appearance of openness and friendliness. Light pouring into a room will enlarge the space and brighten the home overall.

-Remove pets from home. If possible, remove your pets from the home while it's being shown. Pets are a nuisance to potential buyers as they are determining if they feel at home in your house. If you can't remove them, cart them. At the least, keep them outside.

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