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Home Seller Article
14 Steps to Preparing for an Open House |
- Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential: dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
- Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
- Lock up your valuables, jewelry and money. Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.
- Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.
- Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.
- Add a new shower curtain, fresh towels, and new guest soaps to every bath.
- Put fresh or silk flowers in principal rooms for a touch of color.
- Set out potpourri or fresh baked goods for a homey smell.
- Take one or two major pieces of furniture out of every room to create a sense of spaciousness.
- Put away kitchen appliances and personal bathroom items to give the illusion of more counter space.
- Lay a fire in the fireplace. Or put a basket of flowers there if it's not in use.
- Depersonalize the rooms by putting away family photos, mementos, and distinctive artwork.
- Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.
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