Your home is in showing condition and it is time to bring people in to see it. What is the best way to do that?

Some buyers are uncomfortable contacting an agent to arrange for a showing. They would rather look at houses on their own and in anonymity. Open houses are a great way to bring those buyers to your home.

Open houses also bring neighbors and looky-loos. Contrary to popular belief, neighbors and looky-loos should be welcomed because although they are not buyers, they know buyers. Neighbors and looky-loos become your marketing team as they tell others about your home.

People will know about your open house after your home is listed on online listing sites and the open house dates and times are added. On the day of the open house, your agent or you will place several directional signs out. The signs capture those out driving their favorite neighborhoods, hoping to find a home they can buy.

Although open houses can bring you buyers, there are downsides. Complete strangers burst through your door, their dirty shoes and wild children tearing apart your house, dissing your color choices and occasionally breaking things or leaving a mess. It happens.

To guard against open house disasters, insist that your agent have at least one other agent hold the open house with her. The larger the home, the more agents should be there to keep an eye on things. In most states, non-agents can assist your agent as long as they do not give a sales pitch or act like they are agents. Think of the hired non-agent helpers as security guards. If you are selling a house without an agent, it is a good idea to have a friend or two with you to keep an eye on people and answer basic questions while the buyer waits for you to be available.

Hide all valuables that could easily be picked up, including jewelry, drugs, art, keys, and technology. Put away or cover larger pieces that you do not want touched or moved. Most people know how to act, but all it takes is one.

It is okay to remove toilet paper, and to put a sign on toilets that say, “do not use.” Your home is not a public restroom.

It is okay to place shoe covers at the door, and a sign that politely asks people to take off shoes or wear shoe covers. This is common when it is raining or snowing. Some buyers will ignore the sign. Plan to have your floors cleaned after the open house.

Finally, it is okay to not have an open house. Plenty of people do not want strangers walking through their home, opening drawers and closets, especially strangers who are unaccompanied by agents. It is your decision whether or not to hold an open house, not your agent’s decision. If you are uncomfortable with having an open house, just say no.