Home Sale Checklist: 5 Things to Do Before Your Open House

Your home is primed and ready to sell. The open house or showings are set. You’re anxious to throw open your doors, show your home, and start fielding offers.

Before you dive in too quickly, you need to make sure the final touches are set before you start letting buyers come traipsing through.

Follow this easy home sale checklist to ensure you didn’t forget one tiny detail. After all, you need to make the best first impression possible.

5 Things to Do Before Your First Open House

Don’t neglect any of these steps for your showing. Trying to sell your home is hard enough – make it easier on yourself by presenting your abode in the best possible light.

1. De-personalize

If you leave family photos, mementos, birthday cards, and other very personal items everywhere, you’ll only make it harder for another family to imagine moving in. Pack these items away for your open house. Pay special attention to common areas where these things collect: refrigerator doors, fireplace mantels, and side tables.

2. Do Last-Minute Cleaning

You probably scrubbed your whole house in anticipation of preparing for a showing, but there are areas that you may have neglected. These may seem silly and insignificant, but buyers will zero-in on them, make no mistake.

As such, empty out all the trash cans. Check for dust bunnies in areas you don’t frequently vacuum. Look for crumbs leftover from breakfast on the table or counters, and check your bathroom sinks for bits of toothpaste or wayward hair. Finally, straighten the beds and pillows.

3. Let the Light In

For your showing, you want your house to seem as light, bright, and airy as possible. This contributes to a feeling of spaciousness. Before you leave, open all the curtains and blinds. Turn on every light in the house, and especially switch on lamps in dark corners.

4. Pay Attention to Smell

Naturally, you want your home to smell pleasant and fresh. To make sure you achieve this, remove litter boxes or pet beds. Make sure the trash gets taken out. Light a candle or two with gentle, unassuming fragrances, like lemon or clean linen.

5. Prepare a Place for Handouts

Documents about your home listing should be available for buyers to grab. Set these in a strategic spot right near the front entrance. This way, visitors can grab a handout when they arrive or before they leave. To give a thoughtful touch to your showing, place some fresh flowers nearby. If you really want to impress, leave out a plate of freshly-baked cookies.

Preparing for a Showing Will Help You Make the Sale

Don’t neglect to prepare your home for a showing. Following a home sale checklist will make it easy to dot every “I” and cross every “T”. Showing your home to best advantage may even help you make a quicker sale.