Preparing Your Home for an Open House

Additional Tips if you are going to have an “OPEN HOUSE”:

1. If possible, keep all pets out of the house.  Pets need to either be out of the home or in a crate when the home is shown or an Open House is planned.  Even the best Pet can have an off day and bite someone, and many buyers may be afraid of certain pets.
2. Add some fresh flowers in a vase.  Colorful fresh flowers add warmth to a room.
3. Make all the rooms in your house smell good.  If you don’t like to bake fresh cookies, just add a cinnamon stick to water and put it in the oven on low for a nice smell or a scented candle always adds a nice aroma.
4. Clean and clear all table tops, desks, shelves, etc.  Clutter takes away from the features of the home.
5. Create as much light as possible.  Open all blinds and curtains.  The brighter the home the better.  Windows need to be clean, blinds and curtains open, and lights on when needed.
6. Add fresh towels to the bathrooms.  New fresh towels and even small soaps in a soap dish add a lot to the bathrooms.
7. Turn off all TV’s computers, etc.  During showings and Open houses,  TV’s and computers should be off.  They tend to take away the attention of the buyer.
8. Add a little music softly in the background.  Soft music can add relaxation to the buyer’s mood as they go through the home.
9. Never hold an Open House alone.  You are allowing strangers into your home and it is better to have another person with you.  This person should be another adult, not a child.   Also have a cell phone with you at all times if possible and an auto dial button for 911.  When showing the home, always have the buyer enter the room ahead of you so that the exit is never blocked.  If there is a basement in the home, have the lights on and have the buyer go ahead of you, again always leaving the exit open for you if needed.  Open houses can be on any day, not just week-ends, but should always be during the day, with hours that end before dark.

Contact one of our agents to find out how we can help you sell your home!