Preparing for an Open House

Q - My real estate agent wants to have an open house to help sell my home.  Is there anything that I should do to prepare?

A - Unfortunately, open houses don't sell homes.  However, some real estate agents still do them.  Aside from ensuring that everything is tidy, pets are removed, the home doesn't have any unpleasant odors and the rooms are all well lit, there are several things you need to do to seafeguard your home.  Make sure all your valuables are put away.  Don't leave money, jewellery, cell phones or other small electronics in full view.  If you have valuable knick-knacks, put those away as well. Perhaps the children have smaller valuable toys.  These should also be removed to a safe area.  One thing people don't think of are medications.  Remove any prescription drugs from your medicine cabinet and night tables.

Ideally, there should be 2 people doing an open house.  A real estate agent escorting visitors through the house and a second person (not necessarily an agent) asking new visitors to wait till the real estate agent finishes escorting the first ones.  This method of doing an open house safeguards the valuables in the home and also safeguards the real estate agent from possible harm. 

Having two people, however, is not always possible so greater precautions have to be taken when allowing strangers in your home.