Open House Checklist

A successful open house is easy to prepare for with this handy checklist:

1. Order

A messy house is a turnoff for potential buyers. Cleaning makes your home look much more spacious.
Think of it as if every box you pack up and remove from your property is worth a hundred dollars more in your pocket when you sell it.

2. Clean it

Not only daily cleaning, such as vacuuming, sweeping dust and cleaning bathtubs, is enough for a beautiful display. Steam clean carpets, vacuum upholstery, dry clean draperies, clean often-neglected areas like refrigerator tops, cabinet interiors, oven, and cobwebs in corners and basements. If this is a daunting task, it may be worth hiring the services of a cleaning service.

3. Repairs

Make a list of all the repairs done to the home, such as new electrical wiring, new roof, new furnace, etc. You may want to consider conducting a pre-listing home inspection to reassure potential buyers about your home. This home inspection will show you any potential issues that may be a deal breaker when you receive an offer. If the inspection shows that all is well, then it is also a good selling feature to list your home. You can leave a copy of the report on your table for potential buyers to see.

4. Revive imperfections.

A fresh coat of paint or stain will refresh any room and remove scratches and stains. Finish all home improvement projects as incomplete work will determine buyers.

5. Attractive exterior

Make sure the grass is mowed, the driveway is sealed, or if it’s winter, clear all driveways of snow and ice. Clean up any overflowing gutters and make sure the yard is clean and trimmed. Flowers and shrubs add value to your home and you may want to invest in some to enhance your exterior décor.

6. Scent.

Ask your real estate agent to help you identify odors like pets, tobacco, clothing, mold, cooking odors, and garbage. Don’t cover up these odors with air fresheners, address the problem and eliminate them.

7. Remove valuables

Before allowing strangers into your home, put all valuables in a safe place. Things like jewelry, cameras, ID, wallets, etc. must be kept under lock and key. Make sure your homeowners insurance policy is up to date and remove breakable items out of harm’s way.

8. Work area

Set up an area for your agent to display sell sheets and business cards and have a place for other agents to leave their cards and information.

9. Soft drinks

Some open houses have drinks and snacks available and this could be discussed with your real estate agent. Coffee and pastries are an easy deal for visitors, but if you have rugs, you can limit coffee until people are done viewing the property and leave.

10. Photos of the property

If your home is for sale in the winter months, it’s a good idea to have a few photos in an album or on display for prospective buyers to view the property in the spring and summer months. Images that show gardens in bloom or the open and inviting pool are great sales tools.