What is a Successful Open House?

A few years past, the Open House was an extinct animal. Our Real Estae market was selling itself without much help from bells and whistles. Key marketing strategies and a bit of targeted advertising were largely successful tactics. Enter this new, erratic economy. Any media outlet can tell you that our Real Estate market is bruised. Nevertheless, it most assuredly is not broken. Homes clearly are selling, just not at the pace everyone has come to expect. Traditional marketing strategies are returning with a vengance and at the top of the list is the dependable Open House.

Uncertainty in the houseing arena dictates that we stratagize a little differently in the coming year. Details will be more significant than ever before. Preparation prior to putting your home on the market will critical because competition will be fierce. However, not in the same way as in years past. Sellers can no longer anticipate their choice of aggressive bidders. Home sellers and their agents must instead be focused on delivering a high-quality product to catch the attention of a limited number of home buyers with a for more critical eye.

Unsurprisingly, the exact same plan of action applies to readying your home for sale, as it doe reping for an Open House. The article below from RIS Media illustrates commonplace but all-the-more necessary steps to prepare for both in the upcomming market. When you’ve layed the groundwork for putting your home on the market, the Open House will be a breeze!

A successful Open House will leave all your potential home buyers wanting to come back.

The 4 Ds of a Successful Open House

If you recently listed your home for sale, your real estate agent might be planning to host an open house in the near future. Here are some ways you can help your home put its best foot forward:

Depersonalize. Put away all personal photos, drawings from your children that are hanging on the fridge, birthday cards on the mantel and anything else that too closely connects you to your home. You want potential buyers to envision it as their home, and they can’t effectively do that if your presence is too pervasive.
Declutter. This seems obvious, but we’re talking about more than just straightening up. Decluttering means getting rid of as much as you possibly can, making kitchen and bath counters, dining and accent tables, bureaus and bookcases as stark as possible. All you want to leave in place is the minimum necessary for décor, i.e., a vase of flowers, a coffee-table book or two, or an attractive bowl of sea shells…but not too many.

Author’s Note: Empty all Kitchen and Bathroom surfaces. Floors should be free of tripping or slipping hazards. Toys and pet supplies should be hidden. The yard, both front and back should be clear of debris with greenery well trimmed and all foot paths clear.

Deodorize. Don’t try to cover up offensive smells with a spray or scented candle. Instead, get rid of them altogether with a deep clean. Call in a professional, if necessary. Bear in mind, you’ve gotten used to your home’s odors—good and bad—so adhere to your agent’s third-party opinion.

Author’s Note: If your REALTOR^® tells you there is scent in your home that is concerning, they are not being disrespectful, they are being your agent… an honest opinion is meant only to get your home sold at its full market value.

Depart. Unless your agent instructs otherwise, make sure you’re not around for the open house. You want prospective buyers to freely inspect the ins and outs of your home and ask questions at will, without your potentially inhibiting presence.

Author’s Note: Another reminder that your agent is your agent. They are experienced in anticipating what questions a potential buyer may have and the contractual method of representing your property.

As an aside, I can’t stress enough, the importance of regualr home maintenance. As you prepare your home for sale you’ll notice all the small details that may require repair. Fix them now! A home inspector will notice them as well.