As a Realtor, I’ve seen that terrified look wash over more than a few mom’s and dad’s faces. The look that says, “How am I going to keep my house clean, staged and ready for showings with these kids?”. If you find yourself in this situation, take a deep breath, relax, grab a cup of coffee (if you can even grab a second) and jot down a few tips!

First of all, we live in a “real world” when it comes to the real estate game. The ideal showing environment involves a wonderfully staged home that is spotless, smells great, has lots of light and is always inviting. That’s the “perfect” scenario.

Reality often paints a very different picture that includes mounds of laundry, toys, clutter and all of the things that come with a busy household.

Try a few of these ideas to keep your house ready for the next showing:

* Lots of baskets - Purchase inexpensive decorative baskets and place them strategically around your home in convenient, yet out of the way spots. When that last minute call comes to book a showing, enlist the help of your youngsters to pick up all clutter, toys, etc. and place the clutter in the containers. It may still be clutter, but it looks amazingly organized when thrown into one spot!

* Clean-Up Wipes - Keep a container of these handy in the kitchen, laundry room, and all bathrooms. You can just about wipe down every surface quickly without having to use multiple products. May not be the most environmentally friendly option because of the extra trash—but very fast!

* Vacuum quickly at least every two to three days. This will make your carpet look fresher and well-maintained. Spot treat with a fantastic product like Spotshot. Link here: http://spotshot.com

* For older kids and teens - Have a nightly organizing routine for their rooms and make it their responsibility. A short checklist on a whiteboard might be helpful to make sure nothing is missed before bedtime.

* Fresh Scent - The way your home smells is so important! Consider using plug-in freshners. These work whether you think about them or not—a great option for busy people. Febreze, (http://febreze.com) or some type of freshening spray, is also a great option for a quick spritz before you step out of the door!

Always remember to make your family part of the selling team. Also, keep them focused on the outcome. If it is a brand new house, a pool, or a larger room for the teen—whatever gets everyone excited about the move, keep them pointed in that direction.

Best of luck to you! To head back to our KW site, click http://premiergrouphomes.com

J