How to have a successful open house

An open house is a great way to promote the sale of your home. Make your open house more successful with these easy tips.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Freshly baked cookies and bottled water
• Sticky notes

1. Make your house smell good. Set out some freshly baked cookies and bottled water for prospective buyers. This also makes your house feel more like a home. You don't want to over scent your house, however, because it may seem that you are covering up a bad smell. Boiling a pan of lemon wedges will create a light scent that is fresh and not too overwhelming.

2. Open all the blinds and curtains so the house is full of light. If it's a nice day open the windows to let fresh air into the house. Wash all windows, especially those where the light will show dirt and streaks. Unlock all the doors and windows so people don't have to struggle with a lock they aren't familiar with. Something as small as a difficult lock could deter a prospective buyer.

3. Remove as much as you can from counter tops in the kitchen or bathrooms. The less cluttered the better. Make beds and clean closets so they do not look cluttered either. This will make the closets appear larger. It is always a good idea to clean your tubs, sinks and toilets. These are all things prospective buyers will inspect closely.

4. Place small sticky notes on things that are unique or may be an incentive to buy your home (i.e. trash compactor, tile imported from India, large-capacity washer and dryer included).

5. Make sure all light bulbs are working because people usually turn lights on in closets and bathrooms where there is less light.

6. Mow and weed eat your lawn and pick up all pet waste. You don't want someone stepping in pet waste and tracking it into the home. Pick up toys or outdoor items and store them in plastic bins or arrange them neatly in a row.

Tips & Warnings

• Set out a vase of fresh flowers.
• Don't put nuts in your cookies, some people are allergic. Label the cookies with a note card (i.e. chocolate chip, peanut butter, etc.) which will let someone with an allergy know about the ingredients.
• Put away or remove all valuables and prescription drugs. You can't monitor every person in the home and there are some people who go to open houses just to steal things (unfortunately).

[Psychstudent]

on 4/3/2009 Great Tips! I also suggest making a nice brochure for your open house. Prospective Buyers may stop at many open houses in one day. Bouchures insure that the buyers will not forget your open house. Include lots of photos and key points about the home as well.

[HardworkinJudy]

on 9/16/2008 Thanks for sharing these tips. You've included some that we may not think of, and are well worth knowing.

[kaseysviewblog]

on 9/15/2008 Really good ideas, thanks for sharing.