How to Get Your Buffalo Home Ready for a Showing or Open House
A cleaning checklist for Buffalo sellers getting ready for listing photos, showings, or an open house, from a licensed agent who also runs a cleaning company.
Javier Rossy
10/8/20262 min read
Buyers decide fast
Most buyers make up their mind about a house in the first few minutes, and a lot of that starts online with the listing photos. Clutter, dust on the floors, and a grimy bathroom all show up in pictures and in person.
I'm Javier Rossy. I'm a licensed real estate agent with eXp Realty, and I also own A Couple Cleaners, a family-run cleaning company in Buffalo. So I see this from both sides: what buyers notice when they walk in, and what it takes to get a house there. Here's the checklist we use.
Start with the spots buyers notice first
The entry. Wipe the front door, sweep the steps, clean the light fixture, and clear the boots and coats. In a Buffalo winter, put down a clean mat and keep salt off the entry floor.
The kitchen. Clear the counters, wipe the cabinet fronts, clean the appliance exteriors and the stovetop, and empty the sink.
The bathrooms. Scrub the toilet, tub, and grout, polish the mirror and fixtures, and put out fresh towels.
The floors. Vacuum and mop every room. Dirty floors show up in photos more than almost anything else.
Then do the details that show up in photos
Dust baseboards, ceiling fans, and light fixtures
Wipe light switches, door handles, and smudges on walls and doors
Clean interior windows and sills so the rooms look brighter
Wipe the inside of the microwave (buyers open it)
Clear pet bowls, litter boxes, and pet hair before photos and every showing
Take out the trash and recycling, and skip strong air fresheners
Photos vs. showings vs. open house
Before listing photos: do the deepest clean here. Photos stay up the entire time the house is on the market, so baseboards, windows, and floors matter most now.
Before each showing: a quick reset. Counters cleared, beds made, bathrooms wiped, floors spot-cleaned.
Before an open house: a full refresh the day before or the morning of, because more people will be walking through and looking closely.
Staged and vacant homes
A staged home needs to be cleaned around the furniture without moving it out of place. A vacant home shows every dust line and floor mark, especially after it's been sitting for a while. Both need a lighter touch-up if the house stays on the market for a few weeks.
For agents in Buffalo and WNY
We built our Agent Program around this exact timeline: an Open House Refresh, a Refresh Plus for listing photos and first showings, and a Full Deep Clean for move-outs and homes that sat empty. We work with lockboxes, protect the staging, and send after-photos when we're done. Your client stays your client, and we never market to your sellers or buyers.
Got a listing coming up? Request a quote or call or text 716-578-5133 with the address and your deadline. We love referrals, so if you know an agent who needs a reliable cleaner, send them our way.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I schedule cleaning before listing photos? One to three days before the photographer comes. That leaves time to fix anything you notice after the cleaning.
Do I need a deep clean or just a refresh? If the home is lived-in and hasn't had a deep clean in a while, or it's been sitting vacant, start with a deep clean before photos. If it's already in good shape or staged, a refresh is usually enough.
Can you clean while the seller is still living there? Yes. We just need the counters and floors reasonably clear so we can get to everything.
Who pays for the cleaning, the agent or the seller? Either one. We bill whoever makes sense for the deal.
Service Areas
Buffalo, West Seneca, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda & Grand Island, Williamsville & Kenmore
Contacts
(716) 578-5133
acouplecleaners2022@gmail.com
Fully Insured - Family-Owned Since 2022
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