Five Tips for Sellers About Open Houses
Key insights
Warm weather matters! Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for open houses in our market. Sellers should take extra precautions to appeal to large groups who are entering their home all at once. Buyers should respect each home they visit, while still doing the reconnaissance needed to determine if the house is a top contender.
Open house season is upon us! Whether you're buying or selling, here are five tips to keep in mind as you plan your weekends around open houses.
1. Try to see your own dirt
Buyers want homes that would be featured on HGTV or Pinterest – and that means every speck of dirt must go. In addition to dusting and vacuuming, be sure to wipe down your blinds and walls (including baseboards) and check corners for cobwebs. Wash your windows inside and out, using balled up newspapers to minimize streaking.
If you live in an older home where decades of peeling paint layers make it difficult to get everything 100 percent clean, consider hiring professionals.
2. Empty your closets and cabinets
Overflowing closets, cabinets or pantries will give buyers the idea that your house doesn't have enough storage space. Try to downsize your belongings or rent a short-term storage unit to hold your overflow as you sell.
3. Nothing is off limits
While buyers shouldn't dig through your closets or drawers, it's unrealistic to keep a room or closet off-limits. If you usually cordon off areas from pets or children, be sure to remove the gates or barricades.
Don't forget about locked storage spaces in your garage. The more access you give buyers, the more appealing your home will be. To play it safe, plan on finding alternative solutions for securing valuable items when your home is on the market.
4. Clear the premises
Don't hang around your house during the event and don't sit in your car across the street like you're on a stakeout mission. Buyers need to see the property uninterrupted and they may not be honest with themselves (or you) if you remain onsite.
Remember, pets should be removed from your home during an open house, too. It can be a hassle to find a doggy daycare or to keep Rover at the park for three hours, but it's simply not worth turning off buyers who aren't keen on animals. Plus, you don’t want to stress out your pet!
5. Show off the best features
Still love your home? Show it off! In these spring and early summer months, you can display your home's best outdoor features, like a pool or updated landscaping. In the winter, start a roaring fire prior to your open house guests arriving so your home feels like the coziest abode on the block.
If you live near parks or trails, consider printing off local maps to distribute to interested buyers, so they fully understand all the amenities they'll enjoy nearby if they purchase the home.