5 Tips For A Better Open House

Selling a home is not an easy, cut and dry process; it’s full of many parts that move and interconnect. While much of the real estate business if moving online, a home will not sell purely on an internet listing; seeing the home in person is still necessary.

Before you put out that first “for sale” sign or list it online, there are a number of things you must do to win over the potential buyers at your open house.

1. Clean, Clean, Clean

Before the first open house, the home needs to be spotless. Add a fresh coat of paint to all the walls, repair broken tiles and fix broken cabinets.

Make sure that there are no visible repairs that need to be made – minor or major – that will turn a buyer off about the home. Be sure to double check that all doors and windows open and close properly.

Clean every room of the home from top to bottom, leaving nothing unturned; potential buyers are coming in with fresh eyes that have never seen the home before so you want them to see it for its true beauty, not distracted by a dirty room.

 

2. Update The Kitchen

If the home is older and starting to show signs of being worn down, consider updating a few rooms. Experts say that the kitchen and master bedroom are two rooms that really sell homes, so focus on them first.

Replacing cabinet handles or the countertop can make the room seem brand new without breaking the bank. In the master bedroom, add more storage or closet space if possible, or a new window if the budget allows.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to add granite counters or knock out walls simply to make a room bigger; renovations like this won’t always pay off and can cost more than you need to spend.

Adding more lighting to a room can make the room seem bigger if your budget doesn’t allow you to add a window or tear out a wall.

 

3. Eco-Friendly Saves Money

Walk through the home and look at each room. What can you do in each room that will add a fresh look but will be eco-friendly as well?

Using organic materials like wood or stone during a renovation adds not only an eco-friendly look but will last a lot longer than many materials.

To add more lighting, let more sunlight in instead of turning on more lights. You can also replace bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. You may even consider bringing in live plants to bring color to a room.

 

4. Questions, Questions, Questions

Be ready for any question because potential buyers will ask about everything at an open house. From what type of panelling was used in the bedroom, to when the appliances were last replaced, right down to how close the nearest store is. They will also ask about security, flood zones, and what phone and internet service is available to them.

You should take the time to brush up on the area and know as much about every little detail of the home as you can before the open house because these questions will happen.

Have any required paperwork, like the certificate of title and tax payments, available as well in case any buyer should ask to look at it. The key is to be prepared for anything.

 

5. Consider Using A DVD

A unique way to keep them interested in the home after the open house is to not only give them a flier about the home, but also a DVD. This will allow them to look at the home again to remember exactly what they liked.

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