How to Prepare Your Home for Viewings with Local Pros

1. 01

   Step 1: Walk through your home and make a task list

   

   Grab a notebook and tour your home like a buyer would. Start at the curb and work your way through every room. Write down everything that needs attention: deep cleaning, minor repairs, touch-up paint, yard work, staging help. Group tasks by type—cleaning, repairs, outdoor work—and mark which ones must be done before the first showing versus which can wait.

   Be honest about what you can realistically do yourself. If you have time and skill to fix that leaky faucet, great. If not, add it to the pro list. Most sellers underestimate how long DIY tasks take and end up scrambling the night before a showing. A typical home preparing for sale needs 8-12 hours of deep cleaning, 4-6 hours of handyman work, and 3-5 hours of yard maintenance.

2. 02

   Step 2: Find local pros and check their profiles

   

   Open Lumo and switch to Customer mode on the welcome screen. Browse the services section for cleaning, handyman, yard work, and any other help you need. You'll see local pros with their rates (typically $25-45/hour for cleaning, $40-75/hour for handyman work, and $30-50/hour for yard maintenance, varying by city), ratings, reviews and photos of past work.

   Read recent reviews carefully. Look for comments about punctuality, thoroughness and communication. Check if they have experience with move-out or pre-sale cleaning—this is deeper work than regular maintenance. If a pro lists specific skills like drywall repair, tile work or pressure washing, that's a plus. Save a few candidates for each type of work so you have backups if your first choice isn't available.

3. 03

   Step 3: Message pros with details and photos

   

   Use the in-app messaging to send each pro a clear summary of what you need. Include the square footage of your home, the specific tasks, and your timeline. Attach photos of problem areas—that stained carpet, the chipped paint, the overgrown hedge. Ask if they have availability and request a time estimate and total cost.

   Be upfront that this is pre-sale prep and explain that you need the work to meet buyer standards, not just 'good enough'. Most pros appreciate the clarity and will give you a realistic quote. If someone lowballs dramatically compared to others, that's often a red flag. Expect responses within a few hours; pros on Lumo get instant alerts for new messages.

4. 04

   Step 4: Book jobs and coordinate the schedule

   

   Once you've agreed on scope and price, book the jobs through the app. Try to sequence the work logically: repairs and painting first, deep cleaning second, yard work last (or concurrent with cleaning if they won't interfere). Leave at least a day between repair work and cleaning so dust can settle.

   If you're still living in the home, schedule work when you can be present or have a trusted friend there. If the home is vacant, arrange key pickup or lockbox access. Confirm each appointment the day before. Most pros will take before-and-after photos of their work, which is helpful documentation and lets you verify quality remotely if you can't be there.

5. 05

   Step 5: Prepare the home for the pros to work efficiently

   

   Before each worker arrives, clear the areas they'll work in. For cleaners, remove personal items from counters and floors, and point out any delicate surfaces or family heirlooms they should avoid. For handymen, gather your task list with any necessary details (paint color names, preferred hardware finishes). For yard workers, mark any plants you want to keep and remove obstacles like toys or hoses.

   Have cleaning supplies on hand if the cleaner requests specific products, though most bring their own. Make sure there's water access for outdoor workers and clear parking near your entrance. The less time pros spend moving things or hunting for supplies, the more they accomplish in their booked hours. A little prep on your end can save 30-60 minutes of billable time.

6. 06

   Step 6: Inspect the work and provide feedback

   

   When each job wraps, walk through with the pro if possible or review their photos carefully. Check that everything on your list was completed and meets the standard you discussed. If something was missed or needs a touch-up, mention it politely right away—most pros are happy to fix small issues on the spot.

   Once you're satisfied, pay through the app and leave an honest rating and review. Mention specific strengths ('Maria's attention to detail on the baseboards was incredible' or 'Tom fixed three things I didn't even know were broken'). If you'll need similar work for your next home or can refer them to your agent's other clients, say so. Good pros build their business on word-of-mouth, and real estate referrals are valuable.

7. 07

   Step 7: Keep your home showing-ready between viewings

   

   After the initial deep prep, you'll need to maintain that standard. Book a cleaner to come every week or two during your listing period—budget $80-150 per visit for a 3-bedroom home. Between cleanings, do quick daily resets: wipe counters, fluff pillows, remove trash, keep dishes out of sight. If you're still living there, store toiletries and personal items in a basket you can hide before showings.

   If a showing agent or buyer mentions something that needs attention—a light bulb out, a drawer that sticks—fix it immediately or book a handyman within 24 hours. Small neglected issues pile up in buyers' minds and give them negotiating ammunition. The fastest way to get a pro back is to message the same worker you used initially through Lumo; they already know your home and can often fit in a quick visit between other jobs.

Photos are illustrative. Service prices are typical ranges and vary by city. How we write our guides.