When my work as a professional home stager in Calgary is done and the real estate photos have been taken, my clients have to prepare for the next step; to be open house ready. I love keeping things simple, so this tip I found on Pinterest quickly got pinned to my board!
 

Let’s face it. Especially when you live in the house while it’s listed for sale, having the place open house ready can be stressful. Most of us have enough going on without the added last minute stress of remembering where everything is and what we need to do to prepare so potential buyers get the best first impression of the home.
 

Our daily lives can be busy, messy, stressful, unorganized, cluttered. Sometimes we don’t get laundry done when we planned. Stuff happens. Obviously that’s not the impression you want to leave of your property.
 

That’s why I love the idea of an open house box.
 

It helps you quickly get open house ready by having everything you need, organized in advance, in one handy box (with a lid). The box itself doesn’t have to be fancy. Keep it tucked in a closet and ready to go for when you need it.
 

Suggested items to include in your open house box:
 

• Staging checklist for private showings/open house day;
• Cleaners, natural air freshener, etc. for the last minute wipe downs;
• Clean, new looking white towels for the bathrooms;
• Clean, new looking bedding or throw blankets & pillows for the bedrooms;
• A plastic bag to keep damp items separate;
• Any staging accessories that your stager arranged for you but that you don’t leave displayed in your daily life;
• Any real estate documents that will be left out during the showing.

By thinking this out and organizing your box in advance, you can quickly be open house ready (or ready for short-notice showings) quickly and without much added stress. Simple.
 

For more staging inspiration, check out the various boards we have at Set Your Stage on Pinterest.