4 Ways to Prepare for a Steller Open House
By now, we all know that open houses are a great way to fit as many showings of your house in the smallest amount of time possible. But how exactly can you go about maximizing your shot at success. In order for this to happen your property needs to be in the best possible light when you are hosting an open house. Maybe you are asking “well how do I do that?” Here are a few mini to-do lists to help you get started.
Give Your Home a Deep Clean and Get Organized
Now this might seem obvious but, you would be surprised how often homeowners do not do a thorough clean of their house. Remember: potential buyers will notice the tiniest details. This means that you have to:
- Vacuum, sweep and/or mop all flooring surfaces
- Dust all surfaces
- Clean window panes and wipe down window ledges
- Clean splatters and fingerprints from the stove, oven, refrigerator and microwave
- Remove soap scum, dirt, and residue from the bathrooms
- Empty garbage cans
- Clean and put away dishes – yes that includes those inside the dishwasher
- Clear cobwebs from the home exterior and garage
- Clean the grime that builds up on light switches, door handles, baseboards, and window ledges
- Organize your closets and drawers (buyers like to look in the hidden places)
- Remember, cleaning can kick up a lot of dust, so open the windows and air out the home the day before the open house.
Depersonalize the Space
Help the buyers envision themselves living in the house. When you are hosting an open house, it’s a good idea to remove all traces of personal items.
- Pack away family pictures, kids’ artwork and family mementos
- Hide toiletries and personal hygiene products
- Put away any controversial items including graphic, sports or political-related messaging
- Ask a friend or neighbor to watch your pets. If that is not possible, consider something like Doggy Daycare for the day.
Freshen Up the Space
First impressions are powerful, for many people whether or not they are going to seriously consider your house as a contender is decided before they even walk through the front door.
- Remove all yard debris, trim the lawn and shrubs
- Plant fresh flowers
- Clear the gutters and power-wash the exterior
- Place a new welcome mat and a wreath or neutral decoration on the front door
Remember the Importance of Staging
When preparing to list your home or for an open house it is important that you make your property look it’s very best and show all of the spaces in your home being used for its optimal use. You personally may not have used your guest room or patio often, but you should still stage these areas to show buyers how these could be used. Here are a few ways that you can stage your home to look it’s best.
- Carefully fold matching towels in the bathroom, tied with a ribbon
- Place candles around the bathtub
- Open all curtains wide so that the space fills with natural light
- Mix traditional favorites with modern furniture pieces
- Add vibrant pops of color throughout the house (keep the same color or couple of colors flowing throughout)