| Preparing
for an Open House
Last-minute tips to help you show your home the
smart way
An open house is an important part of the selling
process. It lets people know you're selling your
home, it gets people talking about your home and,
most importantly, it gets people looking at your
home.
An open house will draw potential buyers, neighbours,
real estate agents and others who are just there
to "browse" your property. If successful,
your open house can turn browsers into buyers
and help increase the overall demand for your
home.
If you're like most home sellers, you'll still
be living in your house when the real estate agent
begins hosting open house viewings. But don't
worry. You won't have a family of four interrupting
your Sunday morning bath to ask if the shower
curtains are included in the sale!
Your agent will be sure to accommodate your schedule
and give you lots of advance notice when showing
your home. However, having your home open house-ready
at all times will save you from panicked last-minute
cleaning sprees, or worse: viewings marred by
sloppy housekeeping.
Preparing your home to sell need not be time consuming.
Make these last-minute touch-ups to ensure a perfect
first impression:
Brighten and lighten
- Light-filled rooms are always appealing. Open
drapes and blinds
- Make sure windows and mirrors are sparkling
clean. If there are no windows in the room,
make sure the lighting is adequate
- Turn on all the lights, even during the daytime,
including outside entrance, closet, basement
and attic lights
Spark your buyer's imagination
- Set the dinner table for a formal dinner.
Creating the proper atmosphere helps buyers
envision themselves living in your home
- On cold days, light a fire. If not in season,
make sure the fireplace is clean
- Set out fresh flowers, and hang decorative
hand towels in the bathroom
- Put pets in a fenced yard. Better still, ask
friends to look after them. Some people may
be allergic, and others may be afraid of animals
- If possible, leave! Some buyers are uncomfortable
when the owner is in the house. In their hurry
to get away, they may miss important features
or fail to ask important questions. If you must
remain, be courteous, but try not to make conversation.
The buyer's real estate agent knows what the
buyer is looking for, and can discuss features
and answer their questions
Please the senses
- Display lightly scented candles to produce
a pleasant aroma for potential buyers.
- Put out a few refreshments to keep people
at your open house a little longer
- Odours such as pet and cigarette smells can
have a stronger impact on buyers than any positive
feature of your home. You might not notice the
smell if you're living with it, so get a second
opinion before showing the home
- Turn off the television, stereo and radio
(easy-listening music is OK).
Get feedback
Ask your agent for feedback from the people who
came to the open house. What did people like about
your property? What didn't they like? What could
use improvement? With good feedback, you'll be
able to make any necessary adjustments or improvements
to your home. That way, you'll soon be able to
switch your "Open House" sign to a "Sold"
sign.
Royal LePage sales representatives are your residential
real estate experts. For helpful advice about
selling your home, contact
Korinne Peachey from your local Royal LePage
real estate office.
|
|
