In a market where homes sell for about 95% of the asking price, the way yours shows is what protects your price. Here's how to prepare.

Most sellers think their home is ready for showings. The kitchen is clean, the beds are made, and it looks fine. But “fine” is exactly the problem. The homes that sell are the ones that feel right the moment someone walks through the door.

In the Dayton market, how your home shows is tied directly to your bottom line. Our market still favors sellers, but that doesn’t mean buyers will overlook a home that hasn’t been prepared. Homes here are selling for around 95% of the asking price, and buyers have enough options that they consistently choose the property that feels most cared for and needs the fewest immediate projects. The better your home shows, the more of that asking price you protect, and the faster you tend to sell.

Let us walk you through three things you can do right now to make your home show at its best.

  1. Fix what buyers touch before they notice it. Before you think about staging, walk through your home and pay attention to the things buyers physically interact with. Sticky doors, dripping faucets, worn weatherstripping, a sump pump that hasn’t been checked, and slow drains. These are the details buyers notice immediately, and when the small things feel neglected, they start wondering what else has been ignored. Most are cheap, fast fixes, and many can be knocked out in a single weekend. A home that feels cared for gives buyers a reason to keep looking. A home that feels neglected gives them a reason to leave.

  2. Pay attention to what Ohio buyers look closely at. Buyers here deal with seasonal wear that sellers in warmer states never think about, and they know what our winters do to a house. They’re looking at basement moisture, drafty windows and doors, gutters and downspouts that take a beating from ice and snow, and salt damage on driveways, walkways, and garage floors. These may seem minor, but they’re often the red flags that make a buyer wonder about bigger issues.

    If your home has a basement, make sure it’s dry, well-lit, and free of clutter, because Ohio buyers know a damp basement can signal larger problems. Energy efficiency matters more here than in much of the country, too. Well-sealed windows, updated insulation, and a newer furnace help your home stand out in a market where winter utility bills are a real concern.

  3. Depersonalize so buyers can picture themselves living there. Your home needs to feel like it could be theirs, not yours. You don’t need a professional stager. Start by removing anything that makes the home feel specifically yours, along with anything that makes the rooms feel smaller or more cluttered than they are: family photos, personal collections, crowded countertops, and any bold decor that might not match a buyer’s taste. The goal is clean, bright, and open. Think model home.

“Buyers here have options, and they choose the home that feels the most cared for.”

Don’t forget the first impression. A tidy front porch, fresh mulch, trimmed landscaping, and a clean entryway make buyers feel welcome before they ever step inside. In Ohio, that matters even more after a long winter, when worn grass from snowmelt, a muddy yard, salt-stained concrete, or a cracked walkway can be the first thing a buyer sees. A little attention to curb appeal sets the tone for everything they notice once they’re through the door.

Build a 15-minute showing routine and stick to it. You might have dozens of showings before the right offer comes. You can’t deep-clean every time, but you can build a quick, repeatable routine you run before each one: beds made, counters cleared, lights on, blinds open, trash out, pets out. The best sellers treat showing day like a system, not a scramble, and that consistency keeps your home looking its best from the first showing through to the one that gets the offer.

And one more thing: leave during the showing. Buyers can’t relax and evaluate the home with the owner in the room. Let your agent handle it.

Whether you’re selling in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, or one of Ohio’s many suburban communities, buyers are looking for homes that feel well-maintained from the moment they pull into the driveway.

If you’re getting ready to list, or your home is already on the market and you want it set up for the best possible showings, we’d love to help. Call us at (800) 722-2585 or email us at vip@tami-holmes.com. You can also visit tami-holmes.com for more tips and market updates.