An open house is the perfect occasion to showcase your home. In fact, it doesn’t matter what the style of your property is, there is someone somewhere ready to fall in love with it. If you want to play real estate Cupid and shoot an arrow into the heart of a potential buyer (instead of having them run away), we have some advice for you.
1- Remove All Overly Personal Items
Visitors want to be able to imagine themselves owning the house, so it might be somewhat off-putting to see kids’ drawings on the fridge, a pile of shoes at the door and a gallery’s worth of family photos on the walls. They may feel that they are intruding on the occupants’ lives, or even spying. To prevent any uneasiness, simply remove any overly personal items.
2- Turn Yourself Into a Ghost
So that potential buyers already feel like they are living in the house, it’s best that you not be present. Your real estate broker will answer their questions. If they are unsure about something, they will call you. In this way, the property will seem more welcoming, without any inhibition. In fact, a visitor might not want to say some important things if you are right there.
3- You’ve Decided to Stay for the Open House? Be at Your Best!
If you really want to be present during the open house, know that it is essential that you put your best face forward. This seems like superficial advice to you? It is, however, a very good tip. Dishevelled hair, coffee breath and untidy clothing: these are sure signs for some that you may have neglected your home over the years. Of course, everything is a matter of perception, but why take the risk? You should also avoid taking on the mantle of a salesperson bragging about their property. This may make some people uncomfortable (you know, like that unease you sometimes feel at car dealerships).
4- Hire a Cleaning Pro
Did you know that even if you have spent the day scrubbing, the result may still not impress visitors? Everyone has their own cleanliness barometer. Sometimes we have to look beyond our own to notice overlooked areas. If you are planning an open house, though, why not hire a professional house cleaner to help you make everything shine? Or ask a friend. On the day, you may also consider sending your pets to a sitter and removing their possessions (bed, litter, toys, etc.). It’s not only a question of smells, but also of potential allergies.
5- Check the Temperature and Humidity Level
To be welcoming, your home should not leave visitors feeling cold … nor make them sweat! It is essential to correctly adjust the heating and air conditioning. An oppressive or freezing environment might put them off or prevent them from making an informed decision. Adding a dehumidifier to the rooms that need it is also a good idea.
6- No to Overcrowded Cupboards
Do you have a hard time letting go of things to the point where your closets are bursting and your drawers are crying out for help? The problem is that visitors may open all the storage areas to see if there is enough space. If all they see is chaos, they will inevitably be disappointed! Three options are open to you: get rid of what you don’t use, store the items with family and friends, or carefully organize everything to put an end to the clutter.
7- Eliminate Personal Odours
Everyone is affected by smells, either positively or negatively. For the 10% of the population who have a very sensitive nose, odours in a home are all the more an issue. It is not rare for them to be disgusted when entering a bedroom in which the sheets are not freshly washed, or by a subtle whiff of banana peel rotting in the garbage can. It is best to take out the trash, open the windows and clean all textiles, such as the bedding, couches, throws or curtains. You should also avoid cooking in the house before any visit. Psst! A bouquet of fresh flowers will add a pleasant fragrance everyone can appreciate.
8- Offer Souvenirs
The real estate presentation brochure is very useful during a visit since it is an opportunity to provide a tangible reminder, which is good if potential buyers are hesitating between your house and all the others they’ve seen. Thanks to this document, they will constantly have your property in front of their eyes (if it’s left out on their kitchen counter, for example). As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind!”
We wish you much success during your open house!