In order to have a successful open house, you must consider some of the major factors that people are going to be looking at. It is not difficult to have a great open house, and by following these tips you will have the ability to show your home at it’s best!
1. THE DAY: Chosing the correct day to plan your open house is key. Be sure to look at the calendar ahead of time. You don’t want to conflict with a holiday or special event. Keep an eye out for dates like Mother’s Day or Super Bowl Sunday that you may not remember directly off hand. Steering away from these days can help you have a larger turnout.
2. DE-CLUTTER: It’s time to remove all the clutter from around your home. The people who are coming to look at your house are not overnight guests, and will be looking more closely at areas you may usually store things, such as closets and basements. It’s time to donate your old clothes (why move with them anyways?), or maybe even hold a garage sale. In the long run this will just make the move easier on you and your family anyways.
3. THE FLOW: We understand you may like your home as it is set up now, but does it flow well? If not, move furiture out of awkward places. Try to keep couches against the walls. It will help your rooms look bigger and make fore a better showing. Less is more. If you are planning on dumping that old lazy boy recliner at some point before the move, take the opportunity to do it before your open house.
4. CLEAN UP: Do a major clean of your home. This means all the little things too, the ones that don’t typically need doing as often when it’s just you living there. Polish the wood, make sure baseboards are shiny and well dusted. Favorable impressions are made when your home makes the appearance of being well kept.
5. LIGHT: Keep the windows and doors open. If your college age son recently moved out and you keep meaning to cover up his purple and orange Suns walls, do it now. Lighter colored walls make rooms look larger and more livable. Open blinds, pull back drapes, let that sunlight in.
6. CURB APPEAL: Make sure the outside of your home looks as appealing as the inside. This will be your visitors first impressions. If they can see themselves walking up to that well dusted/polished front door more than once you may have a buyer. Mow the lawn and sweep rocks and other debris off the sidewalks. If you have a pool, make sure it looks pristine. And wash away all those spider webs on the outside of the windows or in the corners.
7. PROMOTION: Make sure your real estate agent is helping to promote your home with different marketing strategies. Be aware of them. Are they sending out direct mail, using online advertising, print advertising, promoting it on thier website? You want the full treatment so you have the best turn out you can at your open house. This can get the ball rolling more quickly.
8. ADVICE: Ask your realtor what they think about extras you can do for your home to make it look it’s best. Make sure these are relevant to the time of year. You don’t want a fire burning in the fireplace if it is the middle of summer, but in the winter it’s a great idea. Certain sents can also make a house feel more like a home to a stranger. It should be welcoming.
9. TALK ABOUT IT: Spread the word to your neighbors, your friends, and your co-workers. You don’t know what other circles they run in and who else they know that may be looking for a home in your area. You can even put up flyers in community centers like the library or even a local skating rink.
10. LEAVE: Get out and stay out. If your visitors feel like they are free to linger and are not interrupting you they will be more inclined to stick around for longer and invision themselves in your home. If you are home they may feel constrained or uninclined to ask questions that they may have. It’s not personal, but they need to be able to make the home personal for them, and hearing your stories, or feeling like they are interrupting you in your life will not accomplish that. Trust your real estate agent to do the best possible job.
For any other questions on getting your home ready for an open house, or anything else regarding real estate, feel free to contact us here at Occasio Realty. We would be happy to help you! 480.699.1820
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