If You're Working With an Agent
Step1
Meet with your agent and discuss all the details of what's involved with an open house. You may decide not to have one.
Step2
Discuss with your agent all potential advertising venues, and share any special groups you belong to that might be interested in your open house.
Step3
Go through the entire house with your agent the day before the open house and listen closely to his or her directions on preparing the home for showings.
Step4
Have your agent prepare a professional-looking visitor sign-in sheet for collecting names and phone numbers of guests.
Step5
Keep a low profile during the open house (or better yet, leave) and let the agent do what agents do best.
Step6
Make sure your agent knows precisely what you want and need regarding price so that if a hot prospect shows up, negotiations will stay on the right track.
If You're Not Working With an Agent
Step1
Place an ad in your local newspaper to announce the open house. Include very specific directions to your home.
Step2
Buy signs to put up in areas near your home to announce the open house.
Step3
Prepare a typewritten or laser-printed sign-in sheet so you can collect names and phone numbers of visitors.
Step4
Print brochures or fliers with lots of specific information about the house and how visitors can reach you.
Step5
Do a complete walk-through of your home on the morning of the open house to make sure everything is in its place.
Step6
Make the property immaculate and play soft background music.
Step7
Lock up all valuables.
Step8
Keep pets away from the action.
Step9
Greet visitors warmly and give them your brochures or fliers.
Step10
Let visitors tour the property alone unless they ask you to give them a tour. This allows them to discuss your property without hurting your feelings.
Step11
As visitors leave, ask open-ended questions like "What did you think of the property?" and "What did you like best about the house?"
Step12
Be prepared to answer very specific questions about the house, such as "How old is the roof?" "How long has it been since the furnace was inspected?" and "What are the neighbors like?"
Step13
Be prepared to negotiate in case you get a live wire prospect.
Comments
YvonneLederer said
on 4/27/2007 Remove Family Photos!...Remember that your personal memories are your treasure, alone, and not necessarily anyone else's. Negative impressions can be made quicker than thought by a buyer who does not share the same values or style as the seller, and much can be is revealed through a simple photograph. Perhaps the neighborhood has changed substantially. Perhaps the buyer has a different lifestyle. Rule of thumb: Anything too personal that could potentially turn off a buyer, is better tucked away until the traffic is gone.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Since the people walking into the house determine in the first few seconds if they like the house or not, the first impression is the most crucial. Make sure your entrance is swept, cobwebs are removed, garden hoses are put away, etc. Also check that your entry hallway is free of clutter, free of odors, clean and very inviting - that includes the right temperature. Don't knock your guests back out the door with a thermostat that's set to 80F, or to 10F.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Make sure your house is as clean as you can possibly get it. Pay special attention to corners, light switch plates, tops of lamps and carpet spots. Get rid of offending odors in your house - clean the litterbox, empty all trashcans, clean all toilets (including under the rim) and tubs, and wash all the laundry.
After vacuuming, spray the carpet lightly with linen spray (available at linen stores, or supermarkets) to leave your home smelling fresh and inviting.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Nothing smells as good as fresh baked bread or cookies - and it makes the place smell like home.
Coffee is also a nice smell, and you can offer your visitors a cup when they're done looking at the house.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Have a folder laying out in the entry way with information on the school district, local taxes, maps, neighborhood news, local community information, etc. Also, leave out some notecards and some pencils, so people viewing your home can take notes as they walk through the house.