Open House Check List

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Provided by Rate a Home, LLC

www.rateahome.com

Copyright 2005

                                       

Click to download PDF version

 

“To Do List” (Days Prior to) the Open House (Home Owner):

 

o    Repaint or touch-up areas in need, including caulking.

 

o    Clean carpets if needed.

 

o    Clean entire home, organize and/or remove any clutter.

 

o    Organize cupboards.

 

o    Clean appliances inside and out (oven, microwave, dishwasher. refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc.).

 

o    Do laundry.

 

o    Organize closets.

 

o    Mow Lawn, and spruce up the landscaping.

 

o    Clean up dog droppings.

 

o    Clean and organize garage.

 

o    Clean and organize basement.

 

o    Clean pool or hot tub water.

 

o    Notify neighbors, door man, association, parking attendant, security, etc., and make them aware of the upcoming open house, if it would be of concern to them. (Ex; security, if you are located in a gated sub-division would need notice, to allow potential buyers to have access).

 

o    Check with your insurance company for liability coverage of persons touring your home.

 

o    Purchase “Open House” signs. (Disregard if you have hired a Real-Estate Agent) Buy enough signs to place at the main street corners to direct the public to your home. You will also require one sign in front of your property, along with a for-sale sign.

 

o    Place open house advertising in classifieds, on-line, etc. in advance of your open house. Include information such as directions, address, and a cell phone number so a potential buyer can locate your property. You may want to place a sign in front of your property the week before, stating (Open House Saturday 1-4) for example. (If you have hired an Agent, they would take care of this).

 

o    Contact a Lender and inquire if they prepare rate sheets for potential clients touring your open house.

      These sheets would show your asking price, with say, 0%, 10% and 20% down, as well as, closing cost  

      estimates and monthly payments on the mortgage amounts. (If you have hired an Agent, they would

      most likely provide these).

 

o    Have the current and past year property tax bills available, in case a potential buyer inquires.

 

o    Calculate your past year of utilities, and divide them by 12. This will show the average monthly cost if a potential buyer inquires.

 

o    If applicable, have available property association agreements, along with the current monthly or yearly fees, the buyer would be responsible for.

 

o    Have your property survey available.

 

o    Prepare a “Hand-Out” property information flyer for potential buyers. Include information such as, address, features of the property, school district, contact name and phone number, (to name a few). If you have capabilities of scanning a photo of the property on the flyer, Rate a Home suggests that you do so. (If you have hired an Agent, they would take care of the flyers for you).

 

o    Have a purchase agreement available.