If you're selling your home, our real estate agents frequently recommend scheduling an open house. An open house gives several potential buyers a chance to see your home. Our team has helped with open houses all throughout Ohio, including the Greater Dayton and surrounding areas. Here are a few tips to help you get your home ready for an open house.

• Complete Any Necessary Repairs to Your Home
  You want any repairs to your home to be completed before your open house. Buyers will expect a lower price for any work they'll have to do if they decide to buy your home. It's usually more cost-effective to complete the work yourself. Not sure where to start or what repairs are necessary versus preferred? Talk to one of our local experts to see what the need in the area is.

• Declutter Your Home
  Decluttering your home may feel like another item on your to-do list, but it has a huge impact on how well your home attracts potential buyers. Homes with less "stuff" generally look cleaner and more spacious than houses that are packed full of things. Start by getting rid of anything that you haven't used in the past year (or the past six months for seasonal items). Next, get rid of anything that no longer fits your needs or that you have duplicates of.

  You'll also want to pack away and store personal items, like family photos, awards, and collections. While these items will have a place in your next home, they make it hard for prospective buyers to envision themselves living in your house. View your home like a buyer would, and imagine you are the one viewing the home to potentially purchase. Removing personal items and photos allows buyers to imagine their own lives unfolding in the space.

• Deep Clean Your Home
  Any home looks better when it's clean. Spend a few days getting your home looking its best. Start at the top of each room, cleaning every surface (including walls, window treatments, furniture, windows, and floors). Working from top to bottom ensures that you don't have to repeat cleaning tasks due to falling dust. When you mop or vacuum your floors, you'll remove all the debris from your cleaning efforts.

  Remember to clean up your home's exterior areas. A thorough pressure washing will get many outside surfaces looking their best. Have you thought about how much impact the outside has to a potential buyer? Consider enhancing your home's curb appeal with landscaping, decluttering outdoor furniture, and removing any toys or unnecessary items.

• Stage Your Home to Define Spaces for Homebuyers
  Homebuyers need to be able to see how spaces are used to decide if a home fits their needs. Make sure that every room and area in your home has a function by using furniture and decor to give it a purpose.

  For example, if you have a large living room with an open floor plan, you might set up a couch and television to create a media nook, a server and coordinating accessories to establish an entryway, and a desk and office supplies to make an area for schoolwork or crafts. You should also stage your home's exterior spaces. A wreath, rug, and flower planters go a long way in staging a front porch, while a grill and outdoor furniture show prospective buyers how they might enjoy your deck.

• Have a Plan for Your Pets
  You'll want to remove your pets and their belongings during your open house. Some buyers view homes with pets unfavorably, and there's the risk that a lot of people entering your home might stress your four-legged family members. Have a leash or crate on hand to safely house and transport your pets during an open house. Keep a large plastic bin nearby to quickly remove your pet's belongings (like their toys, food, and litter box) before the open house.

With a little work, your home will be ready for your open house. Ready to list your home? Contact us to get started.