Seven Steps to Preparing for an Open House

These seven easy steps will help you hold an open house that really highlight's your home's sales appeal.

1. Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
2. Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn't fill up.
3. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
4. Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although a real estate agent will be on site during the open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.
5. Turn on all the lights. A home should appear bright and airy, not dark and closed in. Even in the daytime, extra lighting helps your home to sparkle.
6. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.
7. Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.