Darcy Nyrose shares his #1 Tip when it comes to one of the most asked questions in real estate, "How Should I Prepare My Home Before A Showing or Open House?".

You get the call that potential buyers will be coming by to view your home. Don't panic. And don't shove all your clutter and belongings into a cupboard or closet and hope nobody opens the door! The good news is that in preparing your house to hit the market, you'll likely already have boxed up your momentos, decluttered, and have done a thorough clean and dusting. So now, each time you get the call, you simply have to tidy, wipe things down, sweep/vacuum, and perhaps give your floor a swift 'swiffer'.

It's a lot like the lead in to hosting a big Christmas dinner. You spend days preparing and planning. You want your guests to be impressed with your home and your hospitality so you pull out all the stops. After all, you know your mother-in-law is bound to look for an overflowing junk drawer and that your Aunt Suzie will open the closets looking for your secret mess. And surprise! They won't find anything but a clean, dust-free, organized home.

8 Things You Should Do To Prepare Your Home Before Each Showing

1. Clear the Clutter - Recycle the flyers and file away your mail. We all have clutter zones, or areas that seem to collect belongings throughout the day. These include the bathroom counters, the front-entry way, a counter in the kitchen and the stairs.
2. Clean the Kitchen - For most buyers, the kitchen comes first. So, you want your kitchen to impress. You'll want to ensure the counters are clear of extra appliances and clean. The exterior of the fridge should have nothing on it, including finger prints.
3. Tidy the Bedrooms - Declutter, clean up toys and clothes, and maximize the space.
4. Clean the Bathrooms - We advise home sellers to have a bathroom caddy for each family member's personal hygiene products. This way, all the soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes etc. can tucked into the bathroom cupboards. Of course, buyers will want to see clean and shiny floors, toilets, showers, bathtubs, counters and sinks.
5. The Windows - You want your home to appear bright with natural light. So, you'll want to open the blinds and curtains. You'll also want to give the windows a wipe to ensure they're clean.
6. The Floors - Floors should be swept/vacuumed and cleaned before each showing.
7. Dust Bunnies - It's amazing how quick dust can settle onto surfaces. Give your furniture and electronics a dust.
8. Eliminate Odors - Smell is one of the senses and can play a part in how a potential buyer feels about your home. Try to avoid cooking dishes that leave a lasting odor, and do your best to eliminate the smells that come from pets etc.

Like Darcy says, prepare your home as if your parents or in-laws are coming over for the very first time and you're looking to impress them. Open the blinds, turn on the lights, clean up, turn on some light/soft music, and bake something sweet or brew a pot of coffee. Your potential buyers will appreciate the effort.