An open house can be an effective way to sell your home. Because it brings potential buyers to the property, there’s a chance that at least one of those buyers (and maybe more!) will be interested in the property and make an offer, allowing you to sell your home quickly, easily, and with minimal disruption to your schedule.But not all open houses are created equal. If you want your open house to be successful, there are things you, as a homeowner, need to do to prepare.So what, exactly, are those things? A recent article from realtor.com outlined key tasks you’ll want to tackle when getting your home ready for an open house, including:

• Declutter. Clutter — whether in the form of an overstuffed closet, cluttered countertops, or rooms filled with too much furniture — can be a major turnoff to buyers. Not only can it make it appear like your home is too small or lacks storage, but having your stuff everywhere can make it hard for buyers to picture their stuff in the space, which can make it hard for them to picture themselves living there. Before your open house, declutter your home and get rid of anything you don’t need on a day-to-day basis, either by donating or putting the items in storage. The more organized, streamlined, and spacious you can get the space, the better.
• Take care of repairs. During an open house, buyers are going to be wandering around your home, potentially checking every light switch and faucet to see if anything is not working properly, or completely broken. Get ahead of those buyers by taking care of any repairs before your open house; that way, everything will be in working order, and you won’t find it harder to sell your home simply due to a burned-out light bulb or dripping faucet.
• Hire a professional cleaning service. One of the first things potential buyers will notice at an open house is if the house isn’t clean. Do yourself a favor and hire a professional cleaning service, who can ensure every inch of your home — including those hard-to-reach and easy-to-forget spots like baseboards, ceiling fans, and underneath furniture — is spotless and ready for public view.