Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare for an open house.
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If you’re a home seller, what are the things you should be doing in preparation for your open house? First, take a look outside and think about how you can boost your home’s curb appeal. Your home’s exterior will obviously be the first thing that a buyer sees when they pull up, and sadly, even the best buyer will be quick to judge a book by its cover. They’ll remember the negatives they see, not the positives. Focus on landscaping, rid your lawn of any debris like leaves or branches, and lay down some fresh mulch.
Patch up any chipping paint and consider painting your front door a new color to help bring some brightness to the front of your house. It’s always a good idea to make your front door as inviting as possible, whether that means planting some flowers by it or adding tasteful seasonal decorations to it. For example, you could welcome fall with a few mums or pumpkins.
Improve your home’s curb appeal; even the best buyer will be quick to judge a book by its cover.
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Next, focus on decluttering your home. I tell my clients to get rid of roughly 50% of the items currently in their homes so they can be ready for the open house. That includes clearing counters and any hard surfaces and purging your closets. Be sure to depersonalize the home, too; take family pictures, keepsakes, trophies, etc., off of your walls and mantles, and lock up your valuables and important paperwork. A clean, depersonalized home helps buyers to better envision themselves living there.
You’ll also want to tackle any minor repairs throughout the home. This can include touching up the baseboards, door and window frames, or any other broken fixtures and hardware. Addressing these smaller repairs beforehand will show buyers that you’ve done a good job of maintaining the property throughout the years.
On the day of the open house, turn on all lights, open all blinds and curtains, and open all doors and windows (weather permitting) to get some fresh air circulating. Do a smell test, too, especially if you have pets with litter boxes. Opening windows and lighting seasonal candles can work wonders in this regard, but it can also help create a warm ambiance.
If you’re interested in knowing more about how to get your home in tip-top shape, give us a call or send an email; we’d be more than happy to share some more insights!
