How To Get Your Home Open House Ready

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, there are a lot of steps to take. One of the most important is the showing process - this is when prospective buyers can tour your home and get a sense of what it’s like to live there. So to make sure your home is show ready, follow these simple tips:

1. Deep Clean - I know this sounds like the most obvious thing to do, but a good thorough interior and exterior clean, will show buyers your home in its best possible state. Be sure to clean everything from ceiling fans to baseboards. Every inch is important and will be seen by buyers!
2. Declutter - Clutter can be a turn off to buyers and it might be hard to look past for some. Look into renting a storage unit or ask a friend if they have space in their garage to store extra pieces of furniture or knick knacks. This will give buyers the ability to envision what their stuff will look like in the space. 
3. Disinfect - If you’re hosting an in-person showing or open house, be sure to disinfect high contact surfaces such as countertops, knobs and handles, and light switches. Also, leave out hand sanitizer for buyers to use as they walk through. 
4. Rearrange - your furniture will be moving with you, but it’s good to rearrange some rooms to make the rooms appear as large as possible. 
5. Freshen Up - it’s not a myth that you can go nose blind to your own home, so be sure to spray air freshener or air neutralizer all around your home. This way your buyers will be greeted with a fresh and pleasant scent.
6. Depersonalize Each Room - A buyer should be able to walk in and instantly picture their family in your home. So remove photo frames, posters, and artwork that connect you to that home.
7. Organize - you may not think that buyers will look in your closets or cabinets, but most of the time, they do! So be sure to organize your clothes and kitchen cabinets to show off their space and efficiency.
8. Update Your Outdoor Space - replace house numbers if yours are dated or faded, pressure wash the exterior, and do some landscaping to up the curb appeal. 
9. Update the Front Door - The front door is the first thing a buyer will see, so make it inviting! You may want to invest in some paint if your door is chipping, faded, or a color that is too unique. Also, you could put down a fresh welcome mat and a seasonal door decoration or wreath.
10. Remove Pets - Pets are a big part of the family as well, but on the day of showing make sure your pets have a place to go outside of the home - doggie daycare, a friends house, or out with you on a family adventure. 

Selling your home can be a stressful and an emotional process, but with these tips up your sleeve you’re home will be sure to receive some quick offers!