You never get a second chance to make a good first impression! Use these tips to prepare your lakefront home for showings the best they can be…
Shoreline: Rake the beach area /shoreline to remove any debris and weeds. Be sure your dock is secure and stable. “Stage” the lakefront area with colorful pillows, potted plants, and pretty shade umbrellas so the buyers can see what it’s like to live the lakefront lifestyle.
Home: Open all draperies and window shades during daylight hours. Your home will look brighter, sunnier and more cheerful plus the buyers can get an idea of the lake views! Turn on all lights and replace dim bulbs with higher wattage ones in darker rooms. Day or night, turn on all the lamps in your home, to include overhead spots and ceiling fixtures. Prepare a list of utility costs (electric, gas, water and sewer charges) for the past 12 months for us to add to your fact sheet.
The front door greets prospects. Make sure it’s freshly painted/stained, clean looking, new welcome mat and that the doorbell works. Make the beds, empty wastebaskets, set a comfortable temperature, turn off television, and play soft background music……and YES, bake some cookies for your prospective buyers…nothing smells better than fresh baked cookies! 
Clutter Elimination – Since you want potential buyers to be noticing the Lakefront Home itself, and not your belongings, this is the perfect time for significant collections such as knick-knacks, trophies, photographs and overstuffed book cases to be boxed up and put away for the move.
Hint: Ask a professional stager to help and then DO What She Says! It isn’t worth spending the money if you will not follow the Stagers instructions!
If possible, place fresh flowers-in abundance- on the kitchen table and in the living room. Bowls of citrus are both colorful and aromatic. Delicately scented candles, burned a few minutes before a showing, also help to create a soothing atmosphere.
Look at the 2 pictures below, they are of the same room! There is nothing more appealing than a clean home with fresh clean lines and no clutter. If you are not into cleaning, consider hiring a professional. Kitchen and bathrooms should be immaculate. Open windows, if weather permits, to keep your home well-aired. Pets should be confined or restricted from view. Keep your pet’s food area put away out of site or clean and eliminate pet odors. A small bowl of white vinegar in each room is a quick and inexpensive way to help eliminate smoke and pet odors
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Keep your yard and shrubbery neatly trimmed and well-watered. Sweep your front porch and sidewalk before each showing. Fresh, neutral paint on the front door and sparkling fixtures say “Welcome” to buyers.
Replace any items, such as unique chandeliers, not included in the sale, adding a tag with “to be replaced with” or “not included“ signs will only make the buyer want them more! Remove all jewelry, small valuables, etc. and store in a safety deposit box or in a locked closet.
Repairing small issues on your “to do” list eliminates buyers’ objections before they arise. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are buyers will, too. Buyers tend to think repairs will cost way more than they actually do. Consider replacing badly worn carpeting or flooring.
It is imperative to leave while your Lake Front home is being shown, and take your dog/pets with you during showings. If you can’t take them, put them in a kennel and in a laundry room or conditioned garage area. Let your Lakefront Special Agent know where you can be reached at all times. If you plan to be out of town, please leave a number where you can be reached.
There’s no better way to close the sale than getting a serious buyer out on the lake. We can arrange a pontoon boat tour for serious buyers.
There are many lakefront homes on the market, and you want yours to stand out. People will come and look at your home with the thought of purchasing it. Help them with their decision by providing a great experience!
Posted by Karen Millikan, Lakefront Living, On The Lake Realty