Light a super scented candle right before the showing.

Not all people enjoy the same smells/scents as you. If you light a candle for a showing or open house, you may discourage people from staying long enough to view the home! Some buyers may think the home will smell like that after you move out as well. Instead of lighting a candle, ensure you clean the home, take out trash and open the windows for fresh air flow.

Have personal family photos all around the house.

A prospective buyer should be able to visualize how he or she would personalize their new home. If buyers can see themselves living there, they will develop a personal connection to the home and will feel good about investing in it. Not all people hang family photos or their children’s art projects, so removing this from the walls may help a potential buyer visualize the space as their own.

Hang signs that deter buyers from exploring a particular room or area.

Signs like “DO NOT OPEN” and “BEWARE OF DOG” may cause fear or concern for buyers. “Do not open” may cause someone to think there is something broken, flooded or not appealing behind the door. “Beware of dog” may cause alarm, especially for those who are afraid of dogs. This also may negatively impact someone’s opinion on the home if they do not like animals.

Leave dirty dishes in the sink.

A clean home is most appealing to a buyer. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink, dirty towels on the hanger, and clothes on the floor could distract the buyer from the beautiful kitchen or the spacious bedroom layout. Deep cleaning your home and taking the dirt out of every corner will give it a "brand-new look" that potential buyers want.

Stay home during the showing and follow the buyers around.

Buyers like to open closets and peek into cupboards, and they feel conflicted doing so with a seller present. Prospective buyers judge a home's feel and your presence can create a creepy, crowded vibe.