Fillable checklist

Home Staging Checklist: List and Show Ready (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable seller staging form for list photos and showings: curb, rooms, lighting, odor, storage. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Buying & selling Fillable form · 12 sections · 79 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against NAR, ENERGY STAR, and CPSC · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a seller staging walk for a US house going on the market: curb, entry, living, kitchen, baths, bedrooms, lighting, odor, and storage, plus a last-hour show-day reset. It is not a licensed home inspection and not an appraisal.

  • 12 sections
  • 79 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Property and listing

Record the house and the walk you are actually doing. This is a practical seller template, not legal advice, not a licensed home inspection, and not an appraisal. NAR's Before Putting a Home Up For Sale list treats a pre-sale inspection as a separate step.

11 fields
Property and listing

Owner, listing agent, professional stager, or a mix.

Inspection station

Curb and approach

Walk from the street as a first-time buyer would. NAR's seller prep list asks whether the lawn looks cared for, the address is visible, the entrance is framed, and the walk is clear. Mark N/A on a unit with no yard you control.

8 items
Curb and approach

First-impression walk from the street, not only from the porch

NAR Before Putting a Home Up For Sale: stand out front and pretend you are a buyer seeing the property for the first time.

First-impression walk from the street, not only from the porch: Done, Skip, or N/A

Lawn, beds, and bushes look trimmed and cared for

NAR 2025 Profile: improving curb appeal was a top seller recommendation (77 percent of sellers' agents). This is a tidy look, not a landscape redesign.

Lawn, beds, and bushes look trimmed and cared for: Done, Skip, or N/A

House numbers readable from the street or the assigned parking approach

NAR curb list: is the address clearly visible? Buyers, appraisers, and showing agents all need to find the door.

House numbers readable from the street or the assigned parking approach: Done, Skip, or N/A

Walk, steps, and path clear of debris, snow, ice, and stored bins

NAR showing list: sweep debris, snow, or ice from pathways. NAR seller prep also asks whether the walkway is free of cracks and impediments. Write large trip hazards in Notes; this is not a sidewalk inspection.

Walk, steps, and path clear of debris, snow, ice, and stored bins: Done, Skip, or N/A

Front door, hardware, and door mat look clean and ready

NAR staging guide: enhance the entry with a front door mat. Wipe fingerprints on the door and knob. A new mat is enough; a door replacement is out of scope.

Front door, hardware, and door mat look clean and ready: Done, Skip, or N/A

Entrance framed with simple plants or a tidy porch, not storage

NAR staging guide: manicured landscape and small potted plants. NAR seller prep: what do you see framing the entrance? Pull packages, toys, and recycling off the stoop.

Entrance framed with simple plants or a tidy porch, not storage: Done, Skip, or N/A

Porch and path lights work for an evening showing

NAR showing list turns on all lights, including the approach after dark. Replace a dead bulb. Fixture rewiring belongs to an electrician.

Porch and path lights work for an evening showing: Done, Skip, or N/A

Drive or assigned parking not blocked by extra cars, trash, or overflow storage

Buyers photograph the approach. Move extra vehicles and cans so the house, not the clutter, is the first frame.

Drive or assigned parking not blocked by extra cars, trash, or overflow storage: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Entry

NAR lists ignoring high-traffic areas, such as entryways, as a common staging mistake. This station is the first five seconds inside the door, not the living room.

7 items
Entry

Entry surfaces and floor clear of shoes, bags, mail, and drop-zone clutter

NAR: staged homes should look spotless and clutter free. The first surface buyers touch should not be a family dump zone.

Entry surfaces and floor clear of shoes, bags, mail, and drop-zone clutter: Done, Skip, or N/A

Keys, chargers, calendars, and personal papers put away

NAR staging guide: pack personal items and anything that reveals personal information. A hook farm of keys and school papers reads as your life, not a buyer's house.

Keys, chargers, calendars, and personal papers put away: Done, Skip, or N/A

Coat closet edited so it looks about half full

NAR staging guide: start packing and use storage; closets should be half full, not filled to the max. Even hangers and leave floor space.

Coat closet edited so it looks about half full: Done, Skip, or N/A

Entry floor and mat clean

NAR seller prep: clean so the house shines. High-traffic grit at the door undercuts every room you stage after this.

Entry floor and mat clean: Done, Skip, or N/A

Fingerprints wiped from the door, switch, and nearest railing or glass

NAR showing list: wipe handles, knobs, and doors in high-traffic spots. The entry is the first of those spots.

Fingerprints wiped from the door, switch, and nearest railing or glass: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sight line from the door into the main living space is open

NAR: remove bulky furniture so rooms feel larger and easier to navigate. A stacked chair or coat rack that blocks the first view belongs in storage.

Sight line from the door into the main living space is open: Done, Skip, or N/A

Political, religious, or highly personal decor removed from the first view

NAR staging mistakes: displaying political or religious decor or anything that reveals personal information. Pack it for the listing period.

Political, religious, or highly personal decor removed from the first view: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Living and dining

NAR's 2025 Profile: sellers' agents most often staged the living room (91 percent) and dining room (69 percent). Buyers' agents ranked the living room first. Mark N/A if the home has no separate dining space.

8 items
Living and dining

Living surfaces decluttered: tables, hearth, media stand, and floors

NAR 2025 Profile: decluttering was the top seller recommendation (91 percent of sellers' agents). Keep a few styled pieces, not every remote, magazine, and charger.

Living surfaces decluttered: tables, hearth, media stand, and floors: Done, Skip, or N/A

Family photos, collections, and trophy walls packed or reduced to a few neutral pieces

NAR staging guide: pack personal items such as photos. The goal is a clean, neutral backdrop so buyers can see the room as theirs.

Family photos, collections, and trophy walls packed or reduced to a few neutral pieces: Done, Skip, or N/A

Extra bulky furniture removed so walk paths are open

NAR: remove bulky furniture to make rooms feel larger. Watch scale and size. Overcrowding is the first staging mistake they list.

Extra bulky furniture removed so walk paths are open: Done, Skip, or N/A

Seating arranged to show how the room is used, without blocking doors or windows

In-person staging, per NAR, often rearranges furniture for layout and flow. Leave a path to every door and to the window you will open for light.

Seating arranged to show how the room is used, without blocking doors or windows: Done, Skip, or N/A

Neutral backdrop with only small color pops (pillows, a throw, or a centerpiece)

NAR DIY tips: paint where needed in beige, gray, or soft white, and add small pops of color. Avoid overly bold paint or decor that could distract buyers.

Neutral backdrop with only small color pops (pillows, a throw, or a centerpiece): Done, Skip, or N/A

Dining table cleared of mail and projects, then set simply or left clean

NAR showing list: wipe dining tables. A simple centerpiece is enough. Homework piles and shipping boxes do not belong here for photos.

Dining table cleared of mail and projects, then set simply or left clean: Done, Skip, or N/A

Tables, shelves, and visible ledges dusted

NAR showing list: wipe dining tables, side tables, and bookshelves where dust may be visible. NAR seller prep also names baseboards and lighting fixtures in the clean-up.

Tables, shelves, and visible ledges dusted: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pet beds, crates, gates, and bowls moved out of the main living rooms

NAR showing list: take pets with you; buyers may have allergies. For list photos, pet gear reads as clutter. Storage or a closed laundry room is the usual park.

Pet beds, crates, gates, and bowls moved out of the main living rooms: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Kitchen

NAR's 2025 Profile: 68 percent of sellers' agents staged the kitchen. Buyers' agents ranked it third. This station is counters, appliances, and the fridge buyers will open, not a remodel punch list.

8 items
Kitchen

Least-used tools and extra small appliances packed

NAR seller prep: pare down clutter and pack least-used items such as large blenders and other kitchen tools. NAR staging: closets and cabinets should not be filled to the max.

Least-used tools and extra small appliances packed: Done, Skip, or N/A

Counters cleared; only one or two large daily items left out

NAR showing list: the less you have out, the more spacious counters look. Leave a toaster or coffee maker if you use it. Stow everything else.

Counters cleared; only one or two large daily items left out: Done, Skip, or N/A

Handles, knobs, and appliance doors wiped of fingerprints

NAR showing list: high-traffic appliances (refrigerator, microwave, stove) and cabinets attract fingerprints. Wipe them before photos and before every showing.

Handles, knobs, and appliance doors wiped of fingerprints: Done, Skip, or N/A

Refrigerator interior organized and wiped; no overdue leftovers on display

NAR showing list: buyers will open the refrigerator and judge what they see. Neat shelves, not a science project.

Refrigerator interior organized and wiped; no overdue leftovers on display: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sink empty, faucet wiped, and no drying rack full of dishes

A piled sink reads as a house that is not ready. NAR: staged homes should look spotless. Hide the drying rack for photos.

Sink empty, faucet wiped, and no drying rack full of dishes: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cabinet and pantry shelves look edited, not stuffed

NAR: start packing boxes and use a storage unit so storage looks half full. Buyers open a few doors. Leave a little empty space on each shelf.

Cabinet and pantry shelves look edited, not stuffed: Done, Skip, or N/A

No strong-odor cooking planned in the hours before a showing or photo shoot

NAR showing list: refrain from cooking foods with strong odors before a showing. Whole-house odor work continues on the odor station.

No strong-odor cooking planned in the hours before a showing or photo shoot: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kitchen glass, backsplash, and nearby fixtures free of obvious spots

NAR seller prep: clean windows, lighting fixtures, and surfaces so the house shines. This is a visible wipe, not a grout restoration.

Kitchen glass, backsplash, and nearby fixtures free of obvious spots: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Baths

Every full and half bath that buyers will open. Medicines and personal care belong out of sight. CPSC treats unlocked medicines as a poisoning hazard, not only a staging issue.

7 items
Baths

Bath counters cleared; daily toiletries packed in a drawer or bag

NAR showing list: clear kitchen and bath counters. NAR staging guide: pack toiletries. A single soap and a plant are enough on the deck.

Bath counters cleared; daily toiletries packed in a drawer or bag: Done, Skip, or N/A

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines hidden or locked

NAR showing and staging guides: hide or pack medicines. CPSC: lock medicines away; child-resistant packaging is not childproof. Poison Control: 800-222-1222 if someone swallows a product.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines hidden or locked: Done, Skip, or N/A

Used towels swapped for clean staging towels

NAR staging guide: use fluffy, new towels. NAR showing list: put away the towels you use and put up clean staging towels.

Used towels swapped for clean staging towels: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mirrors wiped of spots and toothpaste film

NAR showing list: wipe down mirrors. Removing visible smudges makes the whole bath look cleaner.

Mirrors wiped of spots and toothpaste film: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sink, tub or shower, and toilet clean and dry enough for photos

NAR: neglect cleanliness is a staging mistake. A dry, wiped basin photographs better than a used one. This is not a grout-by-grout deep clean unless stains show in photos.

Sink, tub or shower, and toilet clean and dry enough for photos: Done, Skip, or N/A

Razors, prescriptions, and personal care bottles off the open deck

NAR: pack personal items. Open bottles also read as clutter and can spill. Keep a closed caddy under the sink for occupied listings.

Razors, prescriptions, and personal care bottles off the open deck: Done, Skip, or N/A

Bath fan runs and the room does not hold a stale or damp smell

A dead fan leaves odor and film. Run it. Moisture diagnosis and mold work belong on a mold or plumbing inspection, not this form.

Bath fan runs and the room does not hold a stale or damp smell: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Bedrooms

NAR's 2025 Profile: 83 percent of sellers' agents staged the primary bedroom. Guest and children's bedrooms were least often staged (22 percent each), but they still need pickup, bedding, and closet space for photos.

7 items
Bedrooms

Fresh, simple bedding on every bed buyers will see

NAR staging guide: fresh bedding in bedrooms. Neutral covers photograph better than novelty prints. Wash or replace what is on the bed now.

Fresh, simple bedding on every bed buyers will see: Done, Skip, or N/A

Beds made, including guest and children's rooms

NAR showing list: be sure beds are made and toys, clothes, and other articles are picked up. Do this for list photos and again before every showing.

Beds made, including guest and children's rooms: Done, Skip, or N/A

Bedroom closets edited so they look about half full

NAR: closets should be half full, not filled to the max. Even hangers, give shoes a line, and pack off-season clothes off-site if you can.

Bedroom closets edited so they look about half full: Done, Skip, or N/A

Nightstands and dressers cleared of personal piles

NAR: pack personal items, medicines, and valuables. Chargers, books, and lotions can stay if they look intentional, not piled.

Nightstands and dressers cleared of personal piles: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kids' and guest rooms picked up so the floor and bed are visible

NAR 2025 Profile: these rooms are staged least often, but toys and extra furniture still crowd photos. A tidy kid room beats a theme remodel.

Kids' and guest rooms picked up so the floor and bed are visible: Done, Skip, or N/A

Extra bulky pieces removed so the bedroom feels larger

NAR: remove bulky furniture and watch scale. A second dresser or unused treadmill often goes to storage for the listing.

Extra bulky pieces removed so the bedroom feels larger: Done, Skip, or N/A

Dresser and TV tops cleared of climb bait; anti-tip hardware on if kids may tour

CPSC Anchor It: remove tempting objects from the tops of TVs and furniture, and secure top-heavy dressers. New dressers often include anti-tip devices; install them. This is a safety step while you rearrange, not a furniture code inspection.

Dresser and TV tops cleared of climb bait; anti-tip hardware on if kids may tour: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Lighting

NAR's showing list: open all window treatments and turn on all the lights, even in daylight. ENERGY STAR publishes color-temperature and LED quality notes. Those are product tips, not a listing pass or fail.

9 items
Lighting

Burned-out bulbs replaced in rooms buyers will enter

A dark corner photographs as a defect. Walk every lamp and ceiling fixture on this pass. Mark Skip if a fixture needs a ladder you will not climb today.

Burned-out bulbs replaced in rooms buyers will enter: Done, Skip, or N/A

Living, dining, bedroom, and hall bulbs in a similar warm-white range

ENERGY STAR downlight page: lower Kelvin looks more yellow or warmer (about 2200 to 3000 K matches incandescent). ENERGY STAR Certified Homes lighting tips prefer 2700 to 3000 K in those rooms. Mixed daylight and warm bulbs in one room look unfinished.

Living, dining, bedroom, and hall bulbs in a similar warm-white range: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kitchen and bath light looks consistent, not a mix of blue and yellow bulbs

ENERGY STAR Certified Homes chart: kitchen 2700 to 3500 K, bathroom 2700 to 3000 K. The fixtures page also lists 3500 to 4100 K as a whiter option. Pick one look per room. This form does not require a single Kelvin number as a pass.

Kitchen and bath light looks consistent, not a mix of blue and yellow bulbs: Done, Skip, or N/A

Globes, shades, and visible fixtures dusted or wiped

NAR seller prep: clean lighting fixtures. Dusty glass steals output even after you replace the bulb.

Globes, shades, and visible fixtures dusted or wiped: Done, Skip, or N/A

Window treatments opened so daylight reaches the room

NAR showing list: open all the window treatments. For list photos, pull drapes back and raise blinds unless a window looks onto a poor view you will note.

Window treatments opened so daylight reaches the room: Done, Skip, or N/A

All interior lights on for photos and for the showing walk

NAR: even in broad daylight, turning on the lights helps the space feel bright. Do this again on the show-day station before each appointment.

All interior lights on for photos and for the showing walk: Done, Skip, or N/A

Dimmer and LED pairs do not flicker or pop on late

ENERGY STAR: not every LED works well with every dimmer. Check the dimmer maker's list, or replace the bulb or dimmer if it flickers. Do not rewire a dimmer on this form.

Dimmer and LED pairs do not flicker or pop on late: Done, Skip, or N/A

Slow-warm lamps swapped for instant-on LEDs where showings need full light now

ENERGY STAR Certified Homes: CFLs take a few minutes to reach full brightness and have dimming limits. LEDs are instant and use far less energy than incandescent (about 90 percent less on ENERGY STAR fixture notes). Staging needs full light when the door opens.

Slow-warm lamps swapped for instant-on LEDs where showings need full light now: Done, Skip, or N/A

Entry and porch lights confirmed on for any evening tour

Pairs with the curb lighting row. NAR wants all lights on. If this walk is only a daylight photo shoot, mark N/A and still test the switch.

Entry and porch lights confirmed on for any evening tour: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Odor

NAR's showing list: neutralize odors and skip strong cooking before a showing. This station is smell only. Visible mold, gas, or a moisture source belongs to a licensed inspection, not a candle.

7 items
Odor

No strong-odor cooking in the hours before photos or a showing

NAR showing list: refrain from cooking foods with strong odors. Reheat something mild if people still live here. Fish, heavy spice, and fried food linger.

No strong-odor cooking in the hours before photos or a showing: Done, Skip, or N/A

Indoor trash and recycling emptied, and the bin wiped if it smells

A sweet or sour bin will read in a closed kitchen. Take it out before photos and before every showing.

Indoor trash and recycling emptied, and the bin wiped if it smells: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pet odor, litter boxes, and accident spots addressed

NAR: take pets with you; buyers may have allergies. Clean litter and fabric. An enzyme clean on a known spot beats a heavy spray over it.

Pet odor, litter boxes, and accident spots addressed: Done, Skip, or N/A

Only a light, optional scent if you use one; no heavy spray

NAR suggests searching for a mild stovetop potpourri idea. Skip this row if anyone on the tour may be scent-sensitive. A clean, empty smell is the goal.

Only a light, optional scent if you use one; no heavy spray: Done, Skip, or N/A

Laundry hampers emptied or closed behind a door

Open hampers add odor and visual clutter. Run a load or move the hamper to a closed closet.

Laundry hampers emptied or closed behind a door: Done, Skip, or N/A

Musty, smoke, or chemical smell written in Notes, not covered up

NAR seller prep treats a pre-sale inspection as the place to find trouble areas. This form does not decide if a smell is mold, a sewer trap, or old smoke. Write it and hire the right trade. Do not treat a cover scent as a fix.

Musty, smoke, or chemical smell written in Notes, not covered up: Done, Skip, or N/A

Rooms aired briefly before photos if outdoor air is decent

A short open-window pass can reset cooking and closed-up air. Skip it in heavy rain, smoke, or when security requires closed glass.

Rooms aired briefly before photos if outdoor air is decent: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Storage and safety pack-up

NAR wants closets half full and valuables, medicines, and firearms packed. CPSC adds tip-over and poisoning steps when you move furniture and clear counters. Mark N/A if a space is not on the tour.

9 items
Storage and safety pack-up

Hall, linen, and reach-in closets look about half full

NAR staging guide: closets should be half full, not filled to the max. Buyers open doors. Leave a little empty rod and shelf.

Hall, linen, and reach-in closets look about half full: Done, Skip, or N/A

Off-season clothes, toys, and least-used goods stored off-site or neatly in garage or basement

NAR seller prep: store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Living rooms are not the storage unit.

Off-season clothes, toys, and least-used goods stored off-site or neatly in garage or basement: Done, Skip, or N/A

Main rooms not used as open box storage

NAR: start packing, but boxes in the living room fight the photos. A closed garage wall of labeled boxes is better than a dining-room stack.

Main rooms not used as open box storage: Done, Skip, or N/A

Medicines locked or fully out of sight, including extras from the kitchen

NAR showing list: hide prescription medications. CPSC: lock medicines; even child-resistant packaging should be locked away and kept out of reach.

Medicines locked or fully out of sight, including extras from the kitchen: Done, Skip, or N/A

Firearms and ammunition secured off the open tour path

NAR staging and showing guides: pack or secure firearms. Follow your state storage rules. This template is not a firearms legal form.

Firearms and ammunition secured off the open tour path: Done, Skip, or N/A

Jewelry, cash, spare keys, and small valuables hidden

NAR showing list: hide jewelry and other valuables, and put away electronic devices. Occupied listings get foot traffic you do not know.

Jewelry, cash, spare keys, and small valuables hidden: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cleaners and laundry products in original labeled containers, off open counters

CPSC: store laundry and cleaning products in original containers, locked up and away from children. Never transfer them to a food bottle. NAR already wants counters clear.

Cleaners and laundry products in original labeled containers, off open counters: Done, Skip, or N/A

TVs and top-heavy furniture secured, or climb bait removed after you rearranged

CPSC Anchor It: use furniture designed for a TV, secure TVs that are not wall-mounted, mount flatscreens, install anti-tip brackets on dressers, and remove tempting objects from tops. Rearranging for staging can create a new tip-over risk.

TVs and top-heavy furniture secured, or climb bait removed after you rearranged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Garage, basement, or storage room has a walk path so buyers can see the space

NAR: neatly arranged boxes. A path to the water heater, electrical panel, and a parked car still matters. This is not a mechanical inspection of those systems.

Garage, basement, or storage room has a walk path so buyers can see the space: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Show-day reset

NAR's 15 things to do before every showing. Use this station after the rooms are already staged. Mark N/A on a vacant house that stays show-ready without a reset, except lights, treatments, and the alarm.

9 items
Show-day reset

Toys, clothes, dishes, and papers picked up and put away

NAR showing list: pick up. Beds made and articles put away. This is the last-hour pass, not the first declutter.

Toys, clothes, dishes, and papers picked up and put away: Done, Skip, or N/A

Beds confirmed made before the appointment

NAR: be sure beds are made. Occupied listings undo this overnight. Vacant staged beds still get a glance for wrinkles.

Beds confirmed made before the appointment: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kitchen and bath counters, plus high-traffic handles, given a last wipe

NAR: clear counters and wipe handles, knobs, and doors. Fingerprints return after breakfast.

Kitchen and bath counters, plus high-traffic handles, given a last wipe: Done, Skip, or N/A

All lights on and all window treatments open

NAR final check: open all the window treatments and turn on all the lights, even in daylight.

All lights on and all window treatments open: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pets removed from the property for the showing

NAR: disable the alarm and take your pets with you. Potential buyers may have allergies or other reasons for avoiding pets.

Pets removed from the property for the showing: Done, Skip, or N/A

Alarm disabled or showing code given to the agent

NAR: disable the alarm. A siren during a tour ends the visit. Write the plan in Notes. Do not print a passcode on a shared PDF you will email.

Alarm disabled or showing code given to the agent: Done, Skip, or N/A

Phones, tablets, and open laptops put away

NAR: put away electronic devices. They are clutter and they hold personal data.

Phones, tablets, and open laptops put away: Done, Skip, or N/A

Seller and household leave during the showing or open house

NAR: take pets with you and leave the home ready. Buyers talk more freely when the seller is not in the room. Follow your agent's showing plan.

Seller and household leave during the showing or open house: Done, Skip, or N/A

Optional water or a simple tray left only if the agent asked for it

NAR optional touch: cookies and water. Skip this if anyone on the tour may have allergies, or if the house must stay scent- and crumb-free.

Optional water or a simple tray left only if the agent asked for it: Done, Skip, or N/A

Form details

Open items and sign-off

Signing this template does not list the house, set a price, or replace a licensed inspection or appraisal. If a leak, odor source, or safety defect is still open, pick Recommend a licensed inspection.

7 fields
Open items and sign-off

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.