An open house can play a very important role in marketing and selling your Highland Park home. With this in mind, you will want to make sure that every detail has been tended to, and that no stone has been left unturned, so to speak.

Here are the following tips that every seller should remember before opening their doors for an open house:

• Don’t forget to clean! That means vacuuming, dusting, clearing the dirty dishes out of the sink, sweeping the floors, making the beds, and cleaning the bathrooms.
• Don’t forget to clear out the clutter! Remove piles of newspapers and shoes by the front door. Clean up and organize the kids’ toys and put away any mail, bills and catalogs.
• Don’t forget the home’s entry! Your buyers begin to form their opinion of your home as they walk toward the front door. Is your front entry warm and welcoming, or do unruly weeds and a dying pot of flowers stand out?

Sweep the porch and add a burst of color with potted plants of annuals. Add a wreath to the front door and clean the glass of the storm door.

• Don’t forget the backyard! Most buyers will want to take a walk through your backyard. Therefore, this is the time to make sure any animal droppings are cleared, and that toys aren’t strewn about the lawn. Sweep off the back porch or deck and make sure the porch furniture is cleaned and nicely arranged. Consider adding more colorful pots of flowers to spruce up this space.
• Don’t forget the closets! Buyers will look through your closets, whether you like it or not. Are your closets neatly organized, or are they overstuffed and cluttered? A neatly organized closet gives the impression that there is plenty of storage in the home, while a cluttered, messy closet screams lack of space.
• Don’t forget the windows! If the weather permits, open the windows and let the fresh air and sunshine stream through the home. And by all means, clean the windows so they sparkle! Fresh air and sunshine always help create a welcoming atmosphere.