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Blue house icon

Organizing An Open House Checklist

After you've set the date and posted pictures of your house online, you need to get your house into tip-top shape for those up-close looks. Feeling overwhelmed? Start a bidding war with this list of to-dos.

 

Click here to download the PDF file

2 WEEKS BEFORE

  • Reserve a trusted cleaning service for the day before your open house.
  • If you’ve never used one before, have a trial cleaning to make sure you get someone you really like; then request that same person to come again.
  • Fix chipped paint spots (outside and inside).
  • Plant flowers.
  • Repaint bold walls with neutral colors.
  • Unclutter closets and bookshelves.
  • Secure a storage facility with an open unit (or your parents’ basement).
  • Make plans for pets to be away 24 hours before open house.
  • Have rugs cleaned and floors polished.

1 WEEK BEFORE

  • Trim hedges.
  • Clean gutters.
  • Move excess furniture, appliances, books, clothes, and canned goods to a storage unit (basically, you want to make the house, closets, and cabinets look as spacious as possible).
  • Scrub the doors and deck.
  • Create handouts (or make sure your Realtor does) so visitors can take information about your house with them for reference.

2 DAYS BEFORE

  • Hide cords (even if it means unplugging electronics).
  • Hide traces of a pet or a smoker (air out your place as much as possible).
  • Lock up your valuables.
  • Verify cleaning service.

1 DAY BEFORE

  • Check in on the cleaning service before they leave; make sure the house meets your standards.
  • Place handouts by the door.
  • Get a sign-in sheet ready so people can write their names and email addresses.

MORNING OF

  • Open drapes and curtains to get maximum light.
  • Turn on lights in dark rooms.
  • Ensure temperature is comfortable throughout house.
  • Straighten up bedroom and bathroom.
  • Create a nice scent by grinding coffee beans or by baking cinnamon roll dough in the oven on low.
  • Turn soothing music on at a low volume.
  • Leave the house (if you have a Realtor).

7/2/08

See more: Real Estate, Selling a Home


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