|
7 Steps to Preparing For An Open House
- Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential;
dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
- Mow your
lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
- Serve
cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be
sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink
doesn’t fill up.
- Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money.
Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open
house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.
- Turn on
all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.
- Send
your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible,
crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the
salesperson know where to find them.
- Leave. It’s awkward for
prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of
your home with you there.
10 Ways To Make Your Home
Irresistible At An Open house
- Put fresh or silk flowers in
principal rooms for a touch of color.
- Add a new shower curtain,
fresh towels, and new guest soaps to every bath.
- Set out
potpourri or fresh baked goods for a homey smell.
- Set the table
with pretty dishes and candles.
- Buy a fresh doormat with a
clever saying.
- Take one or two major pieces of furniture out of
every room to create a sense of spaciousness.
- Put away kitchen
appliances and personal bathroom items to give the illusion of more
counter space.
- Lay a fire in the fireplace. Or put a basket of
flowers there if it’s not in use.
- Depersonalize the rooms by
putting away family photos, mementos, and distinctive artwork.
- Turn
on the sprinklers for 30 minutes to make the lawn sparkle.
|