Selling your home

Get Your House Ready to Sell: Open House Checklist

A checkable plan for getting your home ready for buyers, from curb appeal and cleaning to the final walk-through before an open house.

Check off completed items. For anything that does not apply to your home, check it off after reviewing it. Your progress is saved on this device.

A week or more ahead

1. Plan the showing

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Set the plan with your agent and tackle work that needs more than a quick tidy.

Confirm the open house date, hours, access, parking, and where you will be during the event.
Fix noticeable issues you can address now, such as dripping faucets, sticking doors, loose handles, and burned-out bulbs.
Touch up scuffs and small wall holes where the repair will blend in cleanly.
Remove excess furniture and belongings so buyers can move easily through every room.
Pack away personal photos, private papers, medications, valuables, and weapons; arrange secure storage off-site when needed.
Arrange for pets and their supplies to be away from the property during the open house.

Before showing day

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Walk up from the street as a buyer would. Keep the path clear and the entrance easy to find.

Mow and edge the lawn; weed beds and trim plants that block paths, windows, or house numbers.
Sweep the porch, steps, driveway, and walkways; remove leaves, litter, and cobwebs.
Clean the front door, glass, hardware, house numbers, and porch lights; replace dead bulbs.
Put away trash and recycling bins, hoses, tools, toys, and other visible clutter.
Check steps, railings, and walking surfaces for trip hazards or slippery spots and address them.
Move your vehicles so visitors can park and see the home’s entrance.

A day or two ahead

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Focus on the surfaces and rooms buyers will inspect closely.

Clean floors, baseboards, counters, mirrors, windows, and high-touch surfaces.
Clear kitchen counters, wash dishes, wipe appliances, and empty the sink.
Scrub bathrooms, close toilet lids, put out clean towels, and store personal toiletries.
Tidy closets, cabinets, pantry, garage, and laundry areas without blocking access.
Remove odor sources: take out trash, clean pet areas, and avoid strong fragrances that may bother visitors.
Make beds and arrange furniture so doors, windows, and walkways open freely.
Clean light fixtures and replace mismatched or burned-out bulbs where practical.

Before you leave

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Give yourself time for one last walk-through from the front door to the back of the house.

Air out the home if weather allows, then set a comfortable temperature.
Open blinds and curtains where privacy allows and turn on lights in darker rooms.
Wipe kitchen and bathroom surfaces, remove trash, and put away cleaning supplies.
Check the entry and yard again for deliveries, pet waste, or new clutter.
Leave property information and showing instructions with your agent as agreed.
Secure cash, jewelry, prescriptions, keys, financial documents, and devices with personal information.
Confirm the agreed doors are unlocked for the agent and private areas are secured as planned.