Open House Check List

When holding an Open House, begin with good advertising, such as signs and classified ads.  A Realtor can help you market the event in the most effective way.  However, even if you are doing the Open House on your own, there are some suggestions to help you succeed.  From the appearance of the home to having the right forms available for prospective buyers, you should be prepared. 

Have lists of other homes in the area that are currently on the market, homes that recently sold, and the assessed values of homes on your street.  A well-typed feature sheet on your home will also be helpful to a buyer.  Be sure to include pictures of the home, if possible.  Lenders can also provide you with flyers detailing available home loans.  Have other important forms, such as sample and blank purchase agreements, “true cost forms”, lead-based paint disclosure, home inspection, property survey and pest inspection request forms, well and septic forms, and home warranty information and applications.  Your Realtor may suggest additional forms, depending on your property.

Before your Open House, tend to repairs and cleaning of the exterior and interior of your home.  Yard work should be completed, such as mowing, trimming, raking and weeding.  Repaint or pressure-wash your home, if needed.  Clean outside of windows and remove any paint or stickers from them, using a razor.  Replace any exterior lights that have burnt-out or broken. 

Inside the home, clean all surfaces and put away clutter.  Store away books, magazines, and other non-decorative items neatly.  Organize closets, pantry, and garage to the best of your ability to showcase the storage potential of your home.  Clean and deodorize bathrooms.  Make sure that carpeting and other flooring appears clean and stain-free.  If the weather is nice, consider opening windows and shades to create a bright and fresh atmosphere.  Remember that a clean and well-kept home will make a potential buyer feel more comfortable.