How to prepare your home for an open house

March 29, 2015

open houseWhen doing an open house, there are both benefits and drawbacks to the situation. I discuss these with my clients personally, after which they have a chance to decide whether to do an open house or not. If you are going to have an open house, you will need to consider a few important aspects. The most important thing about an open house is that you want potential buyers to feel comfortable and come back again to have a second look. These are just a few suggestions that I typically share with my clients.

Fresh flowers

Be sure to greet potential buyers with fresh flowers on a table in the foyer, kitchen table or anywhere in your home that might be deemed appropriate. Fresh flowers provide a different feel than artificial flowers, so keep the artificial flowers locked away.Your home as open house

Turn the lights on

Yes, even if you have an open house during the daytime. Use sunlight where possible but remember that anything that happens outside, you are unable to schedule or plan for. Supplement with additional floor lamps if the room is still dark.

 Have a nice smell

If you want to make a great first impression, be sure to have a welcoming scent in your home. You could bake some cookies before your potential buyers arrive and let the odor waft through the house. If you go that route, make sure to leave cookies and coffee at the home so they can be offered to the potential buyers. Make sure that your pet is elsewhere for a bit, and ensure that you do not have any pet food open and exposed (it has a very potent odor).

Light the fireplace

If you have a fireplace, light a fire. I will supervise your fireplace during the open house. Fires are wonderfully appealing to buyers. If the fireplace is not in use, put a screen or a basket with some natural wood in front of the grate.

Comfortable temperature

You need a comfortable temperature in the home. You want to make sure that your home reaches that temperature BEFORE you start your open home. This way, you will not have any distractions from sounds that emanate from your furnace or air-conditioning.

Have background music available

It does not matter if you turn on some background music or leave the television on a music television channel, just make sure that the volume is rather low. Make sure that potential buyers are able to experience a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Places that are dead silent can make many people feel uncomfortable.

Clean the bathrooms

You want to make sure that the bathrooms are spotless. This means clean towels, sparkling mirrors, and a fresh scent. However, do not use potpourri, scented sprays or candles, or room fresheners. Many people have allergies to these products.

What you can expect from me

I am personally going to be responsible for the following:

  • I will provide handouts. Remember that most buyers will view a number of different homes. It can be easy to confuse one property for another
  • Provide explanations during the tour through the home
  • Point out all of the interesting selling features that your home has
  • Listen to the feedback from your customers and respond accordingly

Good luck in selling your property

For more information you can call me right now: 416-825-7888 or email angela@azgta.com

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