You’ve decided to host an open house. Maybe your agent suggested it, or maybe you’re testing the waters yourself. Either way, that little sign on your lawn is about to invite strangers into your home, and you want everything to go smoothly.
Here’s the thing. Most people think an open house is just about unlocking the door and waiting around for a few hours. But the difference between a mediocre showing and one that generates real interest often comes down to the details you handle beforehand.
This guide walks you through exactly what you need to do, from the week before to the moment you flip that “Open” sign back to “Closed.” Let’s make sure your house doesn’t just get visitors but gets the right kind of attention.
Open House Planning Checklist and Guide
Getting your home ready for an open house means thinking through every touchpoint a potential buyer will experience. Here’s what actually matters when you’re preparing to showcase your space.
1. Pick Your Date and Time Like You’re Planning a Party
Most open houses happen on weekends because that’s when people are free. But don’t just default to Saturday afternoon without thinking it through.
Check what else is happening in your neighborhood that weekend. Is there a local festival? A big sports event? A parade route that blocks your street? These things affect foot traffic in ways you might not expect. You want people flowing toward your house, not stuck in festival traffic three blocks away.
Sunday afternoons between 1 PM and 4 PM tend to work well because serious buyers are often making the rounds. They’ve seen a few properties already, and they’re comparing. Saturday mornings can work too, especially if you’re in a family neighborhood where parents want to check out homes before weekend activities kick in.
Here’s something most people miss: avoid scheduling your open house on holiday weekends. Yes, people have time off, but they’re usually traveling or committed to family plans. You’ll get fewer visitors, and they’ll be less focused.
2. Deep Clean Everything (Yes, Everything)
Your house needs to be cleaner than you’ve ever kept it. We’re talking hotel-level clean. Start with the bathrooms because that’s where people form instant judgments about how well you maintain your home.
Scrub the grout. Polish the fixtures until they shine. Replace any worn bath mats or towels with fresh ones. Get rid of the soap scum on the shower door. If your caulking looks dingy or moldy, re-caulk it. This stuff matters more than you think.
Move through each room with fresh eyes. Dust the ceiling fans, baseboards, and window sills. Clean the inside of your windows, not just the outside. Vacuum under furniture, not just around it. Wipe down light switches and door handles.
The kitchen deserves special attention. Clean inside your oven because some buyers will look. Wipe down the inside of your microwave. Make sure your sink gleams. If you have stainless steel appliances, polish them so they don’t show fingerprints. Empty your trash cans and replace the liners.
Don’t forget about smells. Your nose has gotten used to your home, but visitors will notice everything. If you have pets, pay extra attention to areas where odors might linger. Wash any pet beds, vacuum upholstery thoroughly, and consider having carpets professionally cleaned if needed.
3. Stage Each Room With a Clear Purpose
Every room should tell a story about how someone could use that space. Your home office might double as a guest room right now, but during the open house, it needs to be one or the other.
Start by removing about 50% of your furniture. Seriously. Most homes show better with less stuff because buyers can see the actual space instead of your things. Pack up personal photos, collections, and anything that makes the house feel specifically like yours. You want buyers imagining their life here, not studying yours.
In the living room, arrange furniture to create conversation areas. Pull sofas away from walls. Add a throw blanket or a couple of decorative pillows, but keep it minimal. You’re suggesting comfort, not redecorating for a magazine shoot.
Bedrooms should feel restful. Fresh linens on the beds, preferably in neutral colors. Clear off nightstands except maybe a small lamp and a book. Empty closets by at least half so they look spacious. Buyers will open closet doors. Count on it.
If you have an awkward space that doesn’t have an obvious purpose, give it one. That weird corner in the hallway? Add a small desk and call it a work nook. The bonus room that’s currently catching miscellaneous stuff? Turn it into a home gym or a craft room.
4. Create Curb Appeal That Makes People Want to Come Inside
Your front yard is the first impression, and you can’t undo a bad one. Mow the lawn the day before your open house. Edge the walkways. Pull any weeds from flower beds and add fresh mulch if things look patchy.
Pressure wash your front walkway, porch, and driveway if they’re looking dingy. The difference is dramatic, and it’s something buyers notice even if they don’t consciously register it. Clean concrete and pavement suggest you take care of the property.
Your front door should pop. If the paint is chipped or faded, repaint it. If you don’t have time for that, at least clean it thoroughly and polish the hardware. Add a new welcome mat and consider putting a potted plant or two near the entrance. Nothing fancy—just something that says “people who care live here.”
Check your house numbers. Are they clearly visible from the street? If they’re faded or hard to read, replace them. Buyers need to find you easily, and delivery drivers will appreciate it too.
Walk your property line and pick up any trash or debris that’s blown into your yard. Check the sides and back of the house too, especially if you’re allowing buyers to walk the full property. Dead plants in pots? Get rid of them. Lawn furniture looking rough? Store it in the garage for the day.
5. Handle Your Marketing Early and Everywhere
List your open house on all the major real estate sites at least a week in advance. Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia—all of them. Most agents will do this automatically, but double-check. You want maximum visibility.
Social media actually works for open houses. Post about it on your local community Facebook groups. Create an event listing. Share it on Instagram if you’re active there. Word spreads faster than you’d think, especially in tight-knit neighborhoods.
Physical signage matters too. You need directional signs at key intersections leading to your house. Put them out early on the day of the open house, and make sure they’re readable from a moving car. Bigger is better here.
Create a simple flyer with key details: the address, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, major features, and the asking price. Print plenty. Have them available at the open house and consider dropping them in nearby mailboxes a few days before. Sometimes neighbors know people looking to move into the area.
If you’re tech-savvy, consider creating a virtual tour or a video walkthrough. Post it on your listing and share it everywhere. Some buyers will use it to pre-screen before deciding whether to visit in person, which means the people who do show up are more seriously interested.
6. Secure Your Valuables and Personal Information
This is uncomfortable to think about, but you’re letting strangers into your home. Most people are genuinely interested buyers, but you need to protect yourself.
Lock up all medications, prescription bottles, jewelry, and small electronics. Put them in a safe or take them with you. Financial documents, checkbooks, and anything with your social security number should be completely out of sight. Store them in your car or ask a friend to hold them for the day.
Remove personal photographs from display. Pack them away temporarily. This protects your privacy and helps buyers focus on the house rather than your family history.
If you have valuable art or collectibles, consider removing them or at least photographing them beforehand. File a detailed inventory of what’s in the house during the open house. It sounds paranoid, but it gives you documentation if anything goes missing.
Set up your home so that certain areas are clearly off-limits. Use a simple sign or a closed door for rooms you don’t want people entering. Your agent should monitor traffic, but clear boundaries help.
7. Get the Lighting Right in Every Room
Natural light sells homes. Open all your curtains and blinds before the open house starts. If a room faces north and stays dim, boost it with additional lamps.
Turn on every single light in your house, even during the day. Overhead lights, lamps, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen—all of it. You want the space to feel bright and welcoming. Dark corners make rooms feel smaller and can hide features you want buyers to notice.
Replace any burnt-out bulbs a few days before the open house. Check every room, including closets, the garage, and outdoor lights. While you’re at it, make sure all your bulbs are the same color temperature. Mixing warm and cool lighting in adjacent spaces feels jarring.
If you have dimmer switches, set them to full brightness. This isn’t the time for mood lighting. You want buyers to see everything clearly.
Consider the time of day and how light moves through your house. If your open house runs from 1 PM to 4 PM and your living room gets amazing afternoon sun, make sure nothing blocks that window. Let your home’s best features shine.
8. Set the Temperature for Comfort
Your house should feel physically comfortable the moment someone walks in. Too hot, and people will rush through. Too cold, and they won’t linger. Aim for around 68-72 degrees, depending on the season.
Run your HVAC system for at least an hour before the open house starts so the temperature stabilizes. You don’t want the heat kicking on loudly or the AC struggling to catch up while people are touring.
In winter, consider adding small touches that suggest warmth without cranking the heat. A throw blanket casually draped over a chair. A basket near the fireplace (even if you won’t actually light it during the open house). These visual cues make people feel cozy.
Summer open houses benefit from fans. Ceiling fans should be on in main living areas. If you have portable fans, use them in rooms that tend to get stuffy. Fresh air matters, so crack a few windows if the weather allows. A cross breeze makes a house feel alive.
Check your thermostat’s appearance too. If it looks ancient or complicated, consider buying an inexpensive programmable one. It’s a small detail that suggests the home has been updated and maintained.
9. Prepare Information Sheets and Documentation
Buyers want facts, and providing them upfront builds trust. Create a one-page fact sheet about your home. Include the basics: year built, square footage, lot size, property taxes, recent upgrades, and utility costs.
People always want to know about recent improvements. List them. New roof in 2022? Mention it. HVAC system serviced annually? Say so. Upgraded windows? Include it. These details matter because they help buyers understand what they won’t need to spend money on right away.
If you have warranties on appliances or systems, make copies available. Buyers like knowing that the water heater or refrigerator is still under warranty.
Gather any permits for work you’ve had done. Finished basement? Deck addition? Kitchen remodel? Having permit documentation shows you did things properly, which matters for resale and insurance.
Utility bills from the past year are surprisingly helpful. Some buyers want to know what they’ll actually pay for heating, cooling, water, and electricity. Seasonal variations matter. Offering this information voluntarily suggests you have nothing to hide.
Create a simple neighborhood information sheet. Distance to major employers, nearby schools, parks, shopping centers, and public transit. If there’s a community center or pool, mention it. You’re not just selling a house but a lifestyle and location.
10. Plan Your Refreshment Strategy Carefully
Food and drinks can make your open house more memorable, but only if you do it right. Skip anything messy, strong-smelling, or requires utensils.
Bottled water is essential, especially if you’re expecting significant traffic. Set out a cooler with ice and bottles near the entrance or in the kitchen. People appreciate it, particularly if they’re touring multiple homes.
Light snacks work well. Individually wrapped cookies, granola bars, or mints in a nice bowl. Nothing that crumbles everywhere or leaves sticky fingers. You want people to be comfortable enough to stay longer, not worried about dropping crumbs on your carpet.
Coffee can work if you set up a proper station with quality cups, sugar, and creamer. But only commit to this if someone can monitor it and keep it fresh. Burnt coffee smells terrible and sends the wrong message.
Avoid anything with a strong scent. That means no fresh-baked cookies or heavily spiced foods. Smells can be polarizing, and you don’t want someone walking in, catching a whiff of something they dislike, and immediately forming a negative association with your house.
Keep everything clean and restocked throughout the open house. Check your refreshment area every 30 minutes. Empty any trash, refill water, and wipe down surfaces. Small details matter.
11. Create a Sign-In System That Actually Works
You need to know who visited your home. A simple sign-in sheet works, but make it more effective by asking the right questions.
Your sheet should collect names, phone numbers, emails, and the current housing situation. Are they working with an agent? Are they pre-approved for financing? How soon are they looking to move? This information helps you or your agent follow up appropriately.
Place the sign-in sheet right by the entrance where people can’t miss it. Have multiple pens available because one will inevitably stop working. Consider a clipboard that makes it easy for people to write while standing.
Some agents use tablets with digital sign-in forms. These can feed directly into contact management systems and look more professional. If you go this route, make sure the tablet is charged and the WiFi is working.
Here’s a strategy some people miss: offer an incentive for signing in. Something simple like “Sign in to receive detailed property information” or “Register to get updates on similar properties.” People are more likely to provide real contact information if they’re getting something in return.
Have your agent or whoever’s managing the open house greet everyone warmly and explain the sign-in process. A friendly “Thanks for coming! If you could just add your information here, that would be great” works better than a clipboard thrust at someone’s chest.
12. Plan for Different Weather Scenarios
If there’s any chance of rain, have a plan. Set out an umbrella stand near the door with a few disposable shoe covers or a large mat where people can wipe their feet. Nothing ruins showing faster than muddy footprints across your floors.
For hot weather, make sure your air conditioning is working at peak efficiency. Test it a few days before so you have time to fix anything if needed. Keep extra water bottles chilled. If you have a covered patio or porch, stage it nicely because people will naturally gravitate outside to cool off.
Winter open houses need extra attention to safety. Make sure your walkway and steps are completely clear of ice and snow. Salt them if necessary. Have a mat inside the door and set expectations that guests should remove wet boots. You might even keep a basket of disposable socks or slippers handy.
Wind can be tricky. Secure any outdoor decorations, furniture, or signs. The last thing you want is your open house sign blowing away or a potted plant crashing over. Do a walkthrough of your yard and secure anything that might move.
13. Manage Your Pets Strategically
Your pets are family, but they need to be somewhere else during the open house. Even the friendliest dog can make buyers uncomfortable, and not everyone likes cats. Some people are allergic.
Take pets to a friend’s house, board them for the day, or keep them in your car if weather permits and you can check on them frequently. Don’t just lock them in a bedroom. Buyers will want to see every room, and a barking dog behind a closed door doesn’t help anyone.
Remove pet bowls, toys, litter boxes, and beds. Pack them away completely. You want to minimize any sign that pets live in the home. This isn’t about hiding that you have pets—any buyer will find out eventually—but about letting them see the house as a blank slate.
If you have a dog door, that’s fine to leave since it’s a permanent feature. But make sure the area around it is spotless. Check for scratches on doors or walls that pets might have caused. A bit of touch-up paint can make a big difference.
Consider having your carpets professionally cleaned a few days before the open house if you have pets. Even if you vacuum regularly, a deep clean removes odors and dander that your nose might have stopped noticing.
14. Brief Your Agent or Point Person Thoroughly
Whoever’s hosting your open house needs to know your home inside and out. If your agent is handling it, make sure they understand what makes your property special.
Walk through the house together and point out features buyers might miss. The extra insulation you added in the attic. The programmable sprinkler system. The fact that the garage has 220V wiring for an electric car charger. These selling points need to be shared.
Prepare answers to common questions. Why are you selling? What do you love about the neighborhood? Are there any issues buyers should know about? Honest, straightforward answers build trust. Your agent needs to be able to answer these confidently.
Discuss your strategy for handling multiple interested parties. If several buyers seem excited, what’s your plan? Your agent should know how to create appropriate urgency without seeming desperate.
Make sure your point person knows which rooms or areas are off-limits and why. They need to politely redirect people if someone tries to enter your home office or a room that’s staged as storage.
Leave your contact information somewhere easily accessible but private for your agent. They might need to reach you during the open house with questions or time-sensitive decisions.
15. Have Your Follow-Up Plan Ready Before People Arrive
The open house ends, but your work isn’t done. You need a system for following up with everyone who visited.
Within 24 hours, your agent should reach out to everyone who signed in. A simple email thanking them for visiting and asking if they have questions works. This is when serious buyers will reveal themselves. They’ll ask about offer deadlines, request second showings, or mention they’re working on financing.
Track who came back for a second look or lingered longest during the open house. These people are your warmest leads. They deserve more personalized follow-up.
Ask for feedback, even from people who clearly weren’t interested. Understanding why someone didn’t like your house helps you address concerns before the next showing. Maybe they felt the master bedroom was too small, or they wanted a bigger yard. You can’t change these things, but you can adjust how you present them or shift your target buyer profile.
If you’re doing multiple open houses, keep notes on what worked and what didn’t. Did the refreshments help? Was the timing right? Did people comment on specific features? Use this information to refine your approach.
Consider sending a follow-up email a week later to anyone who seemed interested but hasn’t made an offer. Sometimes buyers need a gentle reminder that your property is still available. Your agent can frame it as “Just checking in” or mention if you’ve received other interest.
Wrapping Up
Hosting an open house takes effort, but the payoff is bringing motivated buyers directly to your property. Every detail you handle upfront makes your home more memorable and increases the chances someone will want to make it theirs. The checklist might seem long, but each step builds on the last.
Walk through your home one final time before people arrive. Check that everything looks right, smells fresh, and feels welcoming.
Then step back and let your preparation do the work. You’ve set the stage. Now it’s time to see who’s ready to play the lead role in your home’s next chapter.