One thing many home owners neglect to take into consideration is that many of the showings are going to be at night. This is especially true from late fall to early spring when there is less daylight.

I can walk from the bedroom to the kitchen, start the coffee and make it back to my office at 5:30 in the morning without turning on a single light; this has been my home for over 10 years, I know where everything is. Do not expect potential home buyers to be able to negotiate your property the same way you do. At all times as much light as possible should be provided throughout your entire property.

By reviewing the information below and following the recommendation you can make your home feel welcoming, bright and cheery day or night.

Exterior Lighting

Use low voltage or solar lighting

Along all paths and walkways

As spot lights on trees or water features

Update light fixtures

Replace dated fixtures

Ensure that the maximum allowable wattage is being used

Interior Lighting

Let the light shine thru

Dust all light bulbs and clean all shades.

Fluorescent tube lights are for the office

If you have any surface mounted fluorescent fixtures, replace them with a fixture that can use halogen or compact fluorescent bulbs.

If you have any recessed fluorescent fixtures, talk to a professional about having it removed and enclosed before replacing the fixture.

Spooky shadows are for Halloween

Wait until about 2 hours after sunset and then turn on EVERY light in the house; this includes closets, the range hood, under and in-cabinet lighting, etc.

Ensure all bulbs are working and at their maximum allowable wattage.

Check for strange shadows or reflections. If they're being caused by the light fixture itself, replace it. If there's a piece of furniture that is blocking all or some of the light, move it.

There should be a consistent light level throughout the house; if a room has no overhead lighting (very common in living rooms) then ensure that there are enough floor and table lamps or wall sconces to illuminate the entire room.

Out with the old, in with the new

Any fixture that is more that 5 years old and is not an antique, should be honestly evaluated for its esthetic appeal.

That brass fixture with the white globe lights in the bathroom could be easily replaced with...

A brushed nickel and frosted glass up-light.

For a showing, don't forget about mother nature

Along with every light being turned on, all window coverings should be open. The only exception to this is rule is if the view is particularly unattractive, then a roman blind partially raised or a closed sheer would be appropriate.

Writer Edward Abbey once said, "You can't study the darkness by flooding it with light." but you can sell a house.