When it comes to selling your home, first impressions count and an open home is your chance to make every moment count. In a competitive market, presentation can influence how buyers feel, how long they stay, and ultimately, how many offers you receive.

To help you get the best possible result, here are our expert tips on preparing your property for a successful open home.

Start with a Deep Clean

Before your first open home, give every room a thorough clean or consider booking a professional service. Buyers tend to notice cleanliness straight away, and many compare multiple properties in a single weekend - so this step can have a big impact. 

  • Kitchen surfaces, cupboards, ovens, splashbacks
  • Bathrooms - especially showers, glass, grout, and mirrors
  • Light switches, handles, skirting boards, and door frames
  • Windows (inside and out, weather permitting)
  • Carpets - a professional shampoo can make a big difference

Declutter and Depersonalise

Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home. Removing visual clutter helps your property feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting. A simple, streamlined space photographs beautifully and helps buyers focus on the home’s best features.

  • Clearing benchtops and tabletops
  • Minimising personal photos and sentimental items
  • Reducing excess furniture
  • Storing children’s toys or pet items neatly

Make Minor Repairs (if needed)

Fixing the small things can prevent buyers from assuming bigger issues exist. A few things to check for:

  • Dripping taps
  • Sticking doors
  • Loose handles
  • Cracked tiles
  • Scuffed walls
  • Blown light bulbs

Elevate Your Street Appeal

Your home’s exterior is the very first impression buyers get. A tidy front section sets the tone before they even step inside.

  • Mow lawns and edge pathways
  • Trim hedges, shrubs, and overgrown trees
  • Add fresh mulch or a few potted plants
  • Waterblast exterior surfaces or fences
  • Ensure the house number is easy to see
  • Clear driveways and paths of leaves or debris

Create a Light, Bright and Welcoming Atmosphere

Buyers respond emotionally to spaces, so to help your home feel light, warm and spacious, and comfortable before the open home, we recommend a few things:

  • Open all curtains and blinds
  • Turn on lights, even during the day
  • Air out the home to ensure it smells fresh
  • Add subtle scents (avoid anything overpowering)
  • Set a comfortable temperature using heat pumps or ventilation systems

Style Each Space with Purpose

Consider how each room is used and presented. Professional staging, or simply rearranging furniture - can help buyers understand how the space works. You don’t need a full staging package to impress, even small touches can make a big impact.

  • Dress beds with fresh, neutral linen
  • Remove bulky furniture that restricts flow through the house
  • Set the dining table simply and elegantly
  • Add greenery or a vase of fresh flowers

Secure and Store Valuables

During an open home, your salesperson will be present - but it’s always best practice to store away personal valuables. You may want to lock away;

  • Jewellery
  • Medications
  • Important documents
  • Portable electronics

Make a Plan for Pets

Many Kiwi families have pets, but to help create a universally appealing environment (and to avoid deterring anyone with allergies) we recommend a few things before an open home:

·         Remove pet beds, bowls, and toys from view

  • Vacuum any pet hair off carpet or furniture
  • Ensure litter boxes or outdoor areas are clean
  • Take pets with you or arrange for them to be out of the home

Step Out and Let Buyers Explore

Buyers feel more comfortable when the owner isn’t home. This allows them to speak freely, ask questions, and take their time looking through the property.

Your EVES salesperson will take care of everything - from guiding buyers through the home to managing feedback afterward.

Ready to Sell? We’re Here to Help

Preparing your home well sets the stage for a strong campaign and ensures you attract the widest pool of buyers. If you’re thinking of selling, contact your local EVES salesperson for tailored advice and a free market appraisal.