How to Open House – Four Easy Steps for Today's Home Sellers

How to Open House – Four Easy Steps for Home Sellers

It’s all about increasing smart market exposure.  While you may or may not sell your house at the open house, allowing people to preview your home while it is being presented at its very best can increase your chances of selling it quickly and for more money. If you have a superstar real estate agent, holding an open house is a breeze, but the agent can only do so much if you don’t follow these important steps to preparing for the big day.

Step #1:  Clean, clean, clean!  Make it sparkle, make it shine!  Spotless windows, gleaming floors, pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, and don’t forget the yard!  An agent can do a lot to sell your home, but a cluttered, dirty home is a hard sell even with the very best agent!

Step #2:  Simple staging:  Clear clutter and open the drapes, blinds, and window coverings.  Turn on every light in the house except ones that make unpleasant noises.  Smells? Natural smells work best: bake a batch of cookies!  Simple special touches such as fresh flowers, fluffy towels and pretty soaps is appealing and give buyers a comfortable feeling, as if they are coming home.  Turn on soft music (not too loud) to also set the mood.  Remove all signs of pets!  A cat litter-box or animal food bowls can be such a turn off that some buyers will turn around and walk out. 

Step #3:  Remember safety:  Prospective homebuyers will look through your closets and cupboards, so make sure that they are organized and any valuables are well hidden or removed altogether.  Lock up anything that might tempt sticky fingers: cash, jewelry, credit cards, bills, liquor, prescriptions, and personal electronics.

Step #4:  Leave: Take your children and your pets with you. 

Remember, your agent will take care of all the marketing for the open house:  signs to the open house, advertising online, flyers, financing information and more.  Your agent will put a positive spin on your home, meeting happily with each prospective buyer as they arrive to the well marketed and thoughtfully planned open house event.  She will have the buyers sign in, and she will ask for feedback.  She will follow up with potential buyers, offer a second showing, overcome objections, and more.  With your help, your agent will be able to do what you hired her to do… sell your house!