After a brief pandemic-related hiatus, the open house circuit is back. Homes with For Sale signs have cars lined up outside and people can once again file in to get a first-hand look at their potential purchase.
Just like hosting a dinner party, you want to make your open house guests feel welcome and comfortable, so it is a smooth, seamless – and most importantly – a successful event.
Here is a quick refresher on some important Do’s and Don’ts of having an open house:
Tip #1. DO Clean It Like You Mean It.
After you thoroughly declutter and rid yourself of any excess furniture, it’s time for a deep clean to give your home a chance to shine in its very best light. Dirty windows, fingerprints, dust bunnies can distract potential buyers from seeing the true value of your home. Be sure to take time to make those finishing touches, decluttering and deep cleaning can boost home values from 3-5%.
Tip #2. DON’T Stick Around.
You did all the work and now you want to see the results – wrong! Unlike a dinner party, a good ‘host’ of an open house is never seen. The presence of a seller at an open house can inhibit or intimidate buyers. Selling your home is an emotional process, take yourself out of the equation and leave it to a neutral real estate professional.
Tip #3. DO Tidy up the Yard.
When a buyer drives up to your home, their first impression can set the tone for the rest of the open house. A messy yard will make a buyer wonder how the rest of the home was cared for. Be sure to cut the grass, put down mulch, get rid of any yard waste, and planting some colorful flowers or planters can create a warm and inviting space. Don’t turn off potential buyers before they even walk in the door.
Tip #4. DON’T Let the Dogs Out (or In).
Rather, find a friend or kennel where your pets can stay while the open house is happening. The presence of pets and their things can turn people off as they can be seen as contributing to wear and tear on a home. People with allergies might be wary at best or react with sneezing and stuffy noses at worst.
Tip. #5. DO Hire a Professional.
This last tip is perhaps the most important and can make all the previous to-do’s so much easier. A real estate professional will have the resources and tools to address each one of the items above and so much more. From cleaning out the clutter, fixing red flags, marketing and promoting your home locally and digitally, finding the right buyers, and negotiating a deal that works for you, hiring an experienced real estate professional is the ONE thing you should DO above all else.
DON’T wait or leave it to fate, contact us today.
