Let's face it... open houses can be a big personal commitment. It can be cumbersome, demanding, and a downright inconvenience. However, the potential advantages can far outweigh the demanding nature of an open house. Read more to find useful advice and possible rewards you can reap by publicly opening your house to potential buyers.
Clean House!
There is nothing more unappealing than a cluttered, dusty, messy home. The single most important advice I can give is to thoroughly clean your home before showcasing to potential buyers. I'm not talking about a little dusting here and there. I'm talking about a complete overhaul. To do this start by de-cluttering every room in your house, especially the areas that notoriously collect junk like your kitchen counters, bedroom dressers, and bathroom counters. Removing clutter opens up space and will make your home appear neat and tidy. Also, open the windows and air out the home to remove any lingering odors. Next, deep clean carpets and window treatments to give your house that "new" look. Finally, organize closets and storage areas since most people look inside these areas to check for adequate storage space.
Put Away Valuables
You never know who is going to be walking through your home and what their intentions may be. Play it safe and remove anything of value before letting strangers wander through your home. Besides valuable objects, be aware of personal and/or confidential information lurking around such as mail, bills, and personal documents. It would be very easy for a dishonest person to steal your identity if they get there hands on your personal documents. Therefore, make sure you lock up valuables and personal items before showcasing your home.
Be Prepared
I highly recommend that you know the value of your home before hosting an open house. People are going to ask and you should know. Seek the advice of a qualified appraiser and find out the value of homes in your surrounding area to come up with a median estimate of your home. Also, be prepared to answer buyer's questions. They will want to know all about your home including questions like: How old is your house? What is the square footage? How much do you pay in taxes? Also, it is a good idea to have a pre-prepared flyer for potential buyers that includes your address, phone number, price, and a picture of your home.
Advertise
Let it be known that you're hosting an open house! The easiest way to advertise is to purchase cheap lawn signs and strategically place them in highly visible, high traffic areas like intersections, parks, and traffic lights. You can also post flyers on telephone poles and public advertising spaces. Be sure that your signs and flyers pop by making them easy and large enough to read. Also make sure they include all the necessary information about your open house including the date, time, location, and phone number.
Convenience
Most people work or are extremely busy during the week. Obviously then it isn't a good idea to hold an open house on a Tuesday afternoon. The best time for an open house is Sunday, when most people aren't busy. However, hosting your open house the entire weekend is not a bad idea. Also try appointment based showings in addition to weekends.
Brownie Points
You can take this quite literally. Offering buyers treats like cookies, coffee, and finger foods never hurts a person's attitude towards you or your home. The smell of coffee and fresh baked goods can also subconsciously add a nice appeal to your home.
Article Origin: Hosting an Open House
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