How Do Showings Work When I'm Selling My House?
BY Scott Moore, Group Leader & Realtor | August 7, 2026Selling your home is exciting, but once your listing goes live, one question comes up almost every time:
"How do showings actually work?"
For many sellers, this is the most disruptive part of the selling process. You'll need to keep your home ready, be flexible with your schedule, and sometimes leave at a moment's notice. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way.
Here are our top tips to help showings run smoothly and give buyers the best possible impression of your home.
Create a Comfortable Atmosphere
First impressions matter and buyers should feel comfortable the moment they walk through the door.
During the winter, keep your home warm and inviting. We even recommend setting the thermostat a little warmer than you normally would. If you have a fireplace, turn it on before you leave for a showing. A cozy home helps buyers picture themselves relaxing there after a long day.
In the summer, keep your air conditioning running and aim for a temperature around 20-21°C. Walking into a cool, comfortable home on a hot day creates a much better experience than arriving to a house that feels stuffy or overheated.
These small details can make a surprisingly big difference in how buyers feel while touring your home.
Leave Alarms Off
We completely understand wanting to keep your home secure, especially while it's on the market.
However, it's best to leave your security alarm disarmed during scheduled showings.
Even experienced REALTORS® occasionally enter a code incorrectly and when an alarm starts blaring, it changes the entire experience. Instead of buyers focusing on your home, everyone is trying to silence the alarm.
It also means you'll likely receive phone calls while you're away and agents often have to spend valuable showing time dealing with the alarm instead of highlighting your home's features.
If you do need to keep your alarm active, make sure your REALTOR® has the correct code and instructions ahead of time.
Keep Your Home Showing Ready
Think back to the day your listing photos were taken.
That's the standard you want to maintain throughout the time your home is on the market.
This doesn't mean your home has to be spotless every second of every day but getting into the habit of leaving it clean each morning makes last-minute showings much less stressful.
Some simple habits include:
Make the beds.
Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters.
Put dishes away.
Vacuum or sweep regularly.
Empty garbage and recycling.
Store away personal items and clutter.
The less buyers notice your belongings, the easier it is for them to imagine their own lives in the space.
Have a Plan for Pets
We love pets but not every buyer does.
Whenever possible, arrange for dogs to stay somewhere else during showings. Doggy daycare, a family member, or a friend can make the process much easier.
Showings don't always happen at convenient times and buyers may feel uncomfortable entering a home with an unfamiliar dog, even if they're friendly.
Pet bowls, toys, and litter boxes should also be hidden as much as possible.
Be Ready for Unpredictable Scheduling
One of the biggest surprises for sellers is just how unpredictable showings can be.
Some days you'll have several requests. Other days may be completely quiet. You might receive several hours' notice or you may receive a request for later that same afternoon.
To see how common this is, we looked at three recent listings we sold in different neighbourhoods and price ranges.
Across all three listings, between 68% and 81% of showings were requested either the same day or with just one day's notice. We also noticed that activity wasn't limited to the first day on the market.
Each listing continued to receive steady showing requests throughout its first week, reinforcing the importance of keeping your home ready even after the initial excitement of going live.
This is why we recommend leaving your home as close to "show-ready" as possible each morning. It's much easier to do a quick touch-up before heading out than trying to clean the entire house with only a few hours' notice.
The more flexible you can be, the easier it is for buyers to view your home, and the more opportunities you'll have to receive a strong offer.
Let in the Light
Before you leave:
Open blinds and curtains.
Turn on lamps and overhead lights, even during the day if rooms are darker.
Replace burnt-out light bulbs.
A bright home feels larger, cleaner, and more welcoming.
Put Away Valuables
While buyers are always accompanied by a REALTOR®, it's still a good idea to put away jewelry, cash, passports, prescription medications, and any sensitive documents before your home goes on the market. It's a simple precaution that gives you added peace of mind.
Don't Take Low Activity Personally
Every home experiences different levels of showing activity.
Sometimes your home may receive multiple showings in the first few days. Other times, the right buyer simply takes a little longer to come along. We monitor feedback from buyers and agents and recommend adjustments if needed.
Trust the Process
Showings can feel inconvenient but they're one of the most important parts of selling your home.
Every showing is a chance for someone to picture your house as their next home. The easier you make it for buyers to visit, the more opportunities you'll have to generate interest and, ultimately, receive a strong offer.
By keeping your home comfortable, clean, accessible, and ready to show, you're giving yourself the best possible chance of a successful sale.
If you're thinking about selling and have questions about preparing your home for showings, please call me (204-995-7355) and I would be happy to walk you through the process and help make it as stress-free as possible.