Boomer Real Estate

Preparing for an Open House Checklist

open-house

• General Preparation:

• Create a bright, cheerful and serene environment.

• Open curtains, drapes and blinds, and turn on lights in all rooms and closets.

• Add a welcome touch by baking some cookies and putting out some fresh flowers.

• Water interior plants and throw away old plants and flowers.

• Put away valuables, money, jewelry and medicines in a safe or concealed place!

• Entryway:

• Remove clutter from foyer/entry and make sure it welcomes you.

• Have a clean welcome mat and clean all windows and mirrors.

• Bedrooms:

• Make beds, organize clothes, toys and closets, straighten up pillows and bedspreads.

• Clean wastebaskets, dust blinds, doors, shelves and floors, vacuum carpets.

• Open all blinds and hang them to a uniform height.

• Bathrooms:

• Hang clean hand towels, put out fresh soap in clean soap dishes.

• Remove all personal hygiene products from vanity and close the commode lids.

• Put out a fresh box of tissues and toilet paper.

• Clean bathtubs, shower stalls, vanities, sink areas, mirrors and medicine cabinets.

• Install new shower curtains, if necessary.

• Remove mildew from walls and caulking.

• Kitchen:

• Clean the kitchen sink and put away all dishes. Make sure everything shines including your windows!

• Clean the kitchen sink and put away all dishes. Make sure everything shines including your windows!

• Dining Room:

• Consider setting your dining room the table with linen and china

• Place an attractive centerpiece on your dining room table.

• Dust the chandelier and replace all burned out bulbs, dust china cabinets.

• Living Room, Family Room and Den:

• Dust, polish, vacuum and clean floors and furniture.

• Adjust couch cushions and pillows.

• Clean up wood around the fireplace and light your fireplace during cold weather

• Dispose old newspapers and mail.

• Organize bookshelves, reduce all clutter.

• Basements, Attic, Laundry Room, Porches and Decks:

• Reduce clutter, sweep, dust and organize all areas.

• Other Preparation Requirements:

• Post your Open House on our website at least one week in advance.

• Place an Open House ad in the newspaper with our web site address, if desired.

• Follow our advice on how to show your property.

• Print out 10-15 Property Displays from our website and offer them to prospective Buyers.

• Print out and prepare a Buyer Registry sign-in sheet.

• Ask a Lender to prepare various Good Faith Closing Cost Estimates to help Buyers calculate closing costs and monthly mortgage payments.

• Prepare a table near your foyer, kitchen or dining area for guests to sign in. On the table, place our Buyer Registry, a pen, your Property Display Sheets and Good Faith Closing Cost Estimates.

• Have available a copy of your survey, appraisal, property blueprints, Home Inspection Report, Property Condition Disclosure Statement and Seller Property Improvement Form.

• Post our Open House directional signs in your neighborhood to direct Buyers to your house.

• Post our Open House sign in your front yard.

• Make sure all pet and garbage odors are removed from your property.

• Make sure any annoying pets are placed out of the house.

• Prepare some cookies, snacks and beverages, if desired.

• Consider having a partner help you host your Open House and review our Safety Tips.

• Turn on all indoor lights, open all blinds and curtains, and be ready to welcome Buyers.

• Cordially greet all Buyers. You never know who they might know, what they might say, or who they might refer to your property!

• After greeting each Buyer, ask them to sign our Buyer Registry and offer them a Property Display.

• Let Buyers stroll through your property and remain available to answer any questions.

• Remember a well prepared home and properly priced home sells itself!