Preparing for an Open House

Clean, Clean, Clean.  Hire a professional cleaning service if necessary. A spotless home impresses buyers, a dirty home will turn off a prospective buyer.

Open all your shades and curtains. Turn on all the lights.  lLet the sun shine in.

Mow your lawn, edge, and trim the bushes.  Be sure toys, and all clutter is put away.

Clear the clutter off the countertops, dressers, and shelves.

Put out a plate of fresh chocolate cookies.  Be sure the kitchen is spotless.

Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Put any valuable or sensitive papers away.  Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.

Burn a lightly scented candle (chocolate chip is always good) and you can play music lightly in the background. 

Put out pictures of the home in the different seasons.  Especially important in Michigan when you are trying to sell in the winter.  Gives the home a warmer feeling.

Send your pets to a neighbor or take them with you. 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.   There is nothing worse than a smelly, barking dog in the house. 

Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.