If you are in the process of selling your home, whether its in a block of Amsterdam apartments or a sprawling suburb, the time will come when you will need to arrange an open or show house. Traditionally, this event is hosted by the estate agent, and is a time during which potential buyers come and peruse your property.

An open house is a function the purpose of which is to show off the assets of your property. A successful one will entail quite a substantial amount of work on your part, since it is important that the home is spotlessly clean, clutter free, and also friendly and welcoming.

This may seem like a difficult balance to strike. A sparkling home can appear sterile, and this is an atmosphere that you want to avoid. However, on the other hand, a house littered with personal clutter – keys, laundry, post – is not ideal either, since this kind of litter festooned about the place will make it difficult for the potential buyers to imagine themselves in the position of owner.

To start with, you will need to clean the entire house, very thoroughly. If you don't have time to do this, hire a cleaning service. This way, you can be sure that your home will be spotless, but you won't have to take a day off work to get it that way.

Next, clear away the flotsam of every day life. Put things like keys, pens and take out menus away in a drawer. Create the homely touch you are after by setting up fresh flowers on cleared surfaces, and perhaps the odd photo in a frame.