Getting Ready for Your Home's Open House

Open houses reach many buyers at one time, which makes them one of the most efficient ways to amass offers and sell a home. Before your open house can take place, however, you must first prepare your property to be seen by others.

The following suggestions will help you make a checklist of essential tasks to be completed before your open house begins.

Eliminate Clutter

Clutter removal is one of the first projects to complete when preparing for an open house. Eliminating clutter isn't as simple as shoving your old bills and knick-knacks in a closet. Potential home buyers will look in all the nooks and crannies of your home, including the closets, garage and storage shed.

To get rid of your clutter, you'll either need to purchase shelving and cabinets where the clutter can be stored, or you'll need to put the clutter into an off-site storage unit. If you choose to put the clutter on shelves in your home, use baskets and attractive storage bins to keep the clutter out of sight. This will establish a sense of order in your home.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Before you can hold an open house, clean everything in sight. Baseboards, curtains, blinds, ceiling fans, windows and other lesser cleaned parts of your house should all be scrubbed until they're spic and span. If you are still living in your home, make sure to check for small messes you may have made in the areas you have used most since your last cleaning. Ideally, your home will look like no one is living there when it is being viewed.

Let in Light

Dark houses are depressing and somewhat off-putting. To sell your home, let in the light -- natural light can make a place seem much more inviting. To do this, replace curtains with sheers, open your blinds and cut away shrubs and trees that block the windows from the outside.

Create Focal Points

Use flower arrangements, art pieces and mirrors to create a focal point in every room. These centerpieces don't have to be expensive or elaborate. Even a simple basket of fruit can bring life, color and cheer into a space.

Make Repairs

When they come through your home, it's to be expected that potential buyers will push buttons, flip switches and try to operate the appliances and fixtures in the house. Anything that stays with the house but doesn't function is going to be looked on unfavorably. Before having an open house, make a note of everything that doesn't work and make the necessary repairs.

Set Out Treats

Make an effort to be hospitable during the open house. Set out treats or drinks to make buyers feel invited when they come to your home.

For more ideas about how you can prepare your home for an upcoming open house, talk to your realtor. An experienced realtor will be able to answer your questions and make suggestions to improve the open house experience.