Love them or hate them, open houses are a mainstay of the real estate process. They’re also one of the best ways we have to show off your property to as many potential buyers as you can. But when you’re hosting that many possible buyers at a time, it’s essential to make sure your home puts its best foot forward.
Open houses 101: Tips and tricks
Everyone knows about preparing some refreshments or popping some chocolate chip cookies in the oven to create a welcoming ambience. But in today’s increasingly competitive market, there are a number of other things sellers can do to present their homes in the best possible light and help their properties stand out from the crowd. This includes:
· Clean and declutter—give your property a thorough top-to-bottom cleaning and decluttering to make sure everything is spotless and organized, and to help potential buyers be able to see themselves living happily in your home.
· Take care of repairs and easy fixes—remember that loose doorknob in the kitchen, chipped paint on the patio or the missing lightbulb in the master bath? Now’s the time to fix them (or hire someone to do it). It can also be a great idea to do a little inexpensive upgrading before your first showing, like updating the light fixtures or adding a fresh coat of paint in a nice neutral colour.
· Maximize your curb appeal—don’t forget that buyers will see the outside of your home before they even set foot inside. If you want to make a great first impression, plan on spending a little extra prep time in advance doing some weeding and mowing or planting a few seasonal flowers in the garden.
· Prepare a list of possible questions—work with your REALTOR® to brainstorm any questions you think a buyer might have, and prepare detailed answers in advance.
· Make your home inviting—give the place a quick last-minute cleaning, turn on all the lights and open the blinds and windows, and add a few splashes of colour with a bowl of fruit, a few accent pillows or some fresh flowers. If you want people to look around longer, a little soft music in the background can encourage them to linger.
· Keep Fifi or Fido busy somewhere else—if you have pets, make sure they’re somewhere else during the open house so buyers won’t be distracted by how cute they are (or by any unwanted allergic reactions).
· Have plenty of hand-outs on hand—an ample supply of brochures or fact sheets with information and professional-quality photos of your home will let buyers spend their time looking around rather than trying to write down how large your home is, how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has, or any of the other great features you want to highlight.
· Ask for feedback—have a guest book ready for visitors to sign, and don’t be afraid to ask your REALTOR® to request feedback. Honest opinions (both good and bad) can teach you a lot about what buyers may or may not be looking for, and help guide where you might want to focus your time and energy for your next open house!
· Consider going online—if you can’t host an in-person open house, ask your agent about holding a virtual one using Zoom or another conferencing platform.
· Know when to call in the professionals—lastly, if you have the budget, you may want to seriously consider hiring a professional staging company to de-personalize your space, and create a warm and welcoming environment that every prospective buyer will want to call home.
Questions?
If you’d like a few more tips or have any questions about open houses or any other part of the real estate process—don’t hesitate to ask! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.