Between 20 and 30 percent of homebuyers report that they attend open houses to assist with their homebuying efforts. Our REALTORS® can help you prepare your home to sell and arrange an open house to showcase your home.

When preparing for an open house, it's easy to focus only on the main spaces in your home. However, to ensure buyers see everything your home has to offer, you need to make sure that every room is ready for scrutiny. Check out some of the rooms commonly overlooked by homeowners preparing to sell their homes.

• The Foyer
  As potential homebuyers enter your home, the foyer is one of the first spaces to greet them. Make a good first impression by staging your foyer so that it appears like an integral part of your house. Remove clutter and overly personal items and store them out of view.
  
  Consider installing coat hooks and adding a storage system to the space to house outerwear and other necessities. Create an inviting atmosphere by adding fresh flowers or a potted plant.
   
• The Laundry Room
  Since most homes have a laundry room, it can feel like an irrelevant space. However, an aesthetically pleasing laundry room is a huge appeal to potential homebuyers. It gives them hope that even basic tasks, like sorting dirty clothes, will be pleasant in your home. 
  
  Set the scene by giving the room a fresh coat of paint. Then, add shelves that will showcase and organize all your laundry supplies. Get rid of the overflowing laundry basket; instead, place a stack of neatly folded towels or blankets in the room.
   
• The Mudroom
  Despite the name, it's important to make sure that your mudroom has no visible mud or dirt. Even though a mudroom is a storage area for many families, you want the room to appear clean, organized, and bright for your open house.
  
  Thoroughly declutter the room so that it only has the bare essentials. Add closed storage to hide tools or other seldom-used items. A few cubies and bench seating give prospective buyers a better idea of how they can use the room.
  
  Be stingy with any mudroom accessories, as you don't want them to hide the functionality of the room. An interesting doormat or a piece of wall decor are a couple of options suitable for this room.
  
  
• The Pantry
  It's important to organize and declutter every space in your home, even if it's hidden from view. Your pantry is one space that likely requires your attention.
  
  Though you don't need to overhaul its contents to appeal to buyers, you do need to make sure it's organized. Try arranging like items together; for example, you might devote one shelf to canned goods and another one to boxed foods. If your pantry is small, you might add bins, shelves, and food organizers to show buyers how efficient the space actually is.
  
  
• Unfinished Basement Space
  An unfinished basement adds valuable square footage to your home. Even though the space isn't glamorous, it's usable. Give this space a meticulous cleaning and complete any necessary repairs. Remove blinds and drapes so that natural light can enter your basement. After decluttering and organizing its contents, add a couple of decorative items to lend a cozy atmosphere to the space. 

If you're ready to sell your home, but have concerns that your spaces won't show well, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our agents. We'll help you figure out what changes you need to make to ensure your home looks its best.