Preparing Your Home for an Open House

After you’ve set the date and posted pictures of your house online, you need to get your house into tip-top shape for those up-close looks. Remember though pictures online are the first impression given to agents wanting show your house so make sure your house is presentable that way they will want to show your house.

2 Weeks Before
 

• Reserve a trusted cleaning service for the day before your open house.
• If you’ve never used one before, have a trial cleaning to make sure you get someone you really like; then request that same person to clean for your open house.
• Fix chipped paint spots (outside and inside).
• Plant flowers.
• Repaint bold walls with neutral colors.
• Unclutter closets and bookshelves.
• Secure a storage facility with an open unit (or your parents’ basement).
• Make plans for pets to be away starting 24 hours before open house.
• Have rugs cleaned and floors polished.

 1 Week Before
 

• Trim hedges.
• Clean gutters.
• Move excess furniture, appliances, books, clothes, and canned goods to the storage unit (basically, you want to make the house, closets, and cabinets look as spacious as possible).
• Scrub the doors and deck.
• Create handouts (or make sure your Realtor does) so visitors can take information about your house with them for reference.

 2 Days Before

• Hide cords (even if it means unplugging electronics).
• Hide traces of a pet or a smoker (air out your place as much as possible).
• Lock up your valuables.
• Verify cleaning service.

 1 Day Before
 

• Check in on the cleaning service before they leave; make sure the house meets your standards.
• Place handouts by the door.
• Get a sign-in sheet ready so people can write down their names and contact info.

 Morning-Of
 

• Open drapes and curtains to get maximum light.
• Turn on lights in dark rooms.
• Ensure temperature is comfortable throughout house.
• Straighten up bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Create a nice scent by grinding coffee beans or by baking cinnamon rolls in the oven on low.
• Turn on soothing music at a low volume.
• Leave the house (if you have a Realtor).

Agents and For Sell by Owners contact our office to see how we may help with your open house at no expense.

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