Keeping Your Home Show-Ready With Kids and Pets
Keeping your home clean while it’s on the market is challenging. When you add kids, pets, and the pressure of a PCS move, the task can quickly feel overwhelming. Between showings, school drop-offs, and everyday life, it’s easy to fall behind and give up on staying ready for buyers.
Still, a well-presented home has a better chance of selling quickly and at a strong price. Buyers aren’t looking for perfection, they’re looking for a space that feels cared for, comfortable, and easy to picture themselves living in.
If you're a military family managing a move, here are practical ways to keep your home showing-ready without unnecessary stress.
Declutter Daily (Even If It’s Just 10 Minutes)
You don’t need to clean from top to bottom every day, but a short, daily pickup routine can make a big difference.
Try keeping a small bin or basket in each main room. That way, when you have a few minutes, you can quickly sweep through and gather up toys, dog bones, mail, or anything else that’s out of place. Get the whole family involved by setting a timer or making it a quick challenge: “Pick up 10 things before dinner.” It’s simple and keeps clutter under control without requiring a huge time commitment.
Create a “Go Bag” for Kids and Pets
Showings often happen with little notice. Having a grab-and-go kit ready can save you from last-minute stress.
For kids, include snacks, toys, wipes, and maybe a book or tablet. For pets, keep a leash, waste bags, a collapsible water bowl, and a small blanket or bed. When the call comes in, you’re ready to load up quickly and head out without scrambling to find essentials.
It also helps to keep the go bag near the front door so you’re not searching for it when it matters most.
Use Storage Bins and Ottomans With Hidden Space
Functional storage is your best friend during showings. Instead of rushing to hide everything in a closet or drawer, use storage that’s built into your everyday furniture.
Good options include:
Decorative baskets
Ottomans with lift-top storage
Coffee tables with compartments
Cabinets with space for organizing kids’ items or pet gear
These pieces make it easy to do a quick reset. Toss in anything that’s not show-ready and close the lid. It keeps your space looking clean without a lot of effort.
Clean in Zones and Stick to a Routine
Trying to keep the entire house spotless every day is unrealistic, especially with children or pets. A better approach is to split the house into zones and tackle one section at a time.
For example:
Monday: Kitchen
Tuesday: Bathrooms
Wednesday: Living Room
Thursday: Bedrooms
Friday: Floors
This keeps the workload small and manageable while helping you stay on top of the entire home. If a showing gets scheduled unexpectedly, at least most of the house has been cleaned recently.
It also reduces burnout. Cleaning a little at a time is more sustainable than trying to do it all at once.
Aim for Clean, Not Perfect
Buyers understand that homes are lived in. A space that feels clean and welcoming will go a long way, even if a toy or two is tucked away in a bin or there’s a dog bed in the corner.
Perfection is not the goal. A tidy, fresh-feeling home allows buyers to focus on the space instead of the mess. Small things, like vacuumed floors, clear countertops, and natural light, can make a big impact.
At Dorazio Real Estate, we work with military families every day. We know what it’s like to keep a household running while preparing for a move. We help our clients create simple systems that make home prep more manageable, so you can stay focused on what matters most.
Selling a home during a PCS or relocation is never easy, but it can be made less stressful with the right tools, the right plan, and the right support.
