Preparing Your Home For An Open House

If you prepared your home for photos, you are almost done preparing for your open house. If not, you've got some work to do. The following list does not seem like much but be prepared to be overwhelmed when you first start cleaning.

To make things easier, you may want to hire a cleaning service, landscapers, and painters for a fresh coat of paint where needed. Ask your agent if they think a stager would help sell your home faster and for more money! Speaking of your agent, they should have information about the property prepared to hand out for the open house.

Get creative to get people in the door. Put up signs everywhere, make social media posts. The most successful open houses often offer a sport ticket raffle, get catered, or hire a food truck. Baking something before people begin walking into the door is a good way to hide unusual smells or just give your home a welcoming aroma. But when it comes to the time of the open house, don't even think about being present. If you are selling your home yourself, make sure to dress professional. Let visitors have some space to talk privately about the home.

Make sure your agent plans to take information of every visitor so he/she can follow up and see what they thought of the home. Take this feedback seriously. If visitors say that the photos don't do the home justice, consider talking new photos. If there was a certain room that the visitors were all not fond of, consider doing some renovation. It is easier to make changes to your home and increase its value and appeal to a larger audience than it is to wait for the only perfect buyer to present themself.

Prepare the inside of your home by doing the following:

Whole House

• Clean windows

• Hide all valuables

• Open all blinds and curtains, brighten up the space

• Remove all clutter

• Make trace of pets minimal (no food bowls visible, litter boxes, crates, etc.)

• Vacuum, Swiffer, mop, sweep all floors

• Remove personal photos and religious items

Kitchen

• Minimize items on counter

• Empty sink

• Countertops and appliances wiped down

• Clear refrigerator of any images, magnets, decoration

Living Areas

• Remove furniture that does not fit comfortably

• Arrange furniture

Bedrooms

• Make all beds

• Clear off dressers and furniture

Bathrooms

• Remove all soaps, shampoos, toiletries, etc.

• Wipe down countertops, mirrors, and fixtures

• Place decoration towels out

Outside

• Clean windows

• Mow lawn within 3 days of

• Open patio umbrellas

• Uncover grills, patio furniture, hot tubs, and pools