Preparing For An Open House

• A spotless 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.
• Serve cookies, soft drinks, and bottle water. It creates a welcoming touch.
• 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 with you away from the property. If that's not possible, crate them or confine them to one room such as a bathroom and let the salesperson know where to find them.
• Put fresh flowers in principal rooms for a touch of color.
• Add a new shower curtain, fresh towels, and new soaps to every bath.
• Set the table with pretty dishes and candles.
• 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.
• Depersonalize the rooms by putting away family photos, mementos, and distinctive.
• Turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes to make the lawn sparkle.
• Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.