| Open houses are great ways to create exposure for | | | | improvements shouldn't be done unless you plan on |
| your property. When advertised and executed | | | | recouping the cost in the sale price. |
| properly open houses will tap into most interested | | | | Bushes, plants, trees and grass should be trimmed |
| buyers and reinforce established ties with a | | | | and neat. The exterior impression is the first |
| community. Running a well prepared open house can | | | | impression your home makes to a buyer. Recent |
| give a potential purchaser many insights into life inside | | | | Studies indicate "50 percent of purchase decisions are |
| the home and the community and ultimately sell the | | | | made during the first 60 seconds" of a buyers' stroll |
| home faster. Taking the proper steps to make sure | | | | up the walk. If an inspector or professional home |
| your home shows its best, and tap into all possible | | | | stager aren't in your budget, have your Realtor |
| sources before showing are essential. | | | | inspect the inside and outside of the house and offer |
| With the competitive nature of the home selling | | | | insights or advice. The whole point is to make the |
| process, more real estate agents and homeowners | | | | best first impression you can to entice the buyer in |
| are utilizing "stagers," professionals with design | | | | for a better look. |
| backgrounds to create the most appealing | | | | As the big day approaches there are some things to |
| atmosphere possible. Home stagers' fees can start at | | | | make the open house runs as smooth as possible. |
| $100 an hour with a two hour minimum. They can | | | | Make sure all your valuable and personal items have |
| create environments for homeowners that make a | | | | been put away. Make sure doors and windows that |
| property more appealing to a greater number of | | | | should be left open are and main hallways cleared. |
| potential buyers. Regardless of what methods you | | | | Garbage should be emptied and if you haven't had a |
| use to present your home, it should feel like a home. | | | | chance to completely air out the home, now is the |
| Your home may not be ready to grace the cover of | | | | time. Turn on all lights to allow the home to appear |
| a trade magazine, but it should make the most of its | | | | as bright as possible. |
| best attributes. | | | | Realtors strongly advise against scented fresheners |
| Cleaning the home from top to bottom is where | | | | and carpet deodorizers. They do recommend fresh |
| most real estate professionals recommend, paying | | | | cut flowers, potpourri, and scented candles. Even |
| strict attention to kitchens and bathrooms. Carpets | | | | simulating the subtle aroma of a home cooked meal |
| should be vacuumed, every surface dusted, dishes | | | | has been suggested. The key is subtle--make sure |
| put away as well as anything else: clothes, toys and | | | | that the aroma will not aggravate prospects' allergies. |
| books that will take away from the focus of the | | | | It also might be the time to take advantage of visual |
| room. Small repairs should be made: leaky faucets and | | | | cues. There are some neat tricks that won't cost |
| toilets, chipped paint, and torn screens should all be | | | | you an arm and a leg to enhance tables, sitting areas |
| fixed. An inspector or Realtor would be helpful in | | | | or focal points of the tour with a bowl of fruit, a |
| streamlining the house: removing extra furniture or | | | | display of magazines, candles, small water gardens, or |
| putting away any excess that would take away | | | | a strategically placed wicker basket. |
| from the warm and inviting environment of the | | | | Ask questions and gain opinions of other homes for |
| home. | | | | sale in your area. Find out what other sellers are |
| Once the inside is cleaned you can take care of | | | | doing and what buyers are expecting. Visit other |
| other necessary improvements that will add to the | | | | open houses in your area before your event. The |
| overall atmosphere of the home. Painting, landscaping, | | | | whole point of the open house is for prospective |
| and deep cleaning are just a few. Changing the | | | | buyers to find what they are looking for in terms of |
| lighting at the entrance ways can also create a warm | | | | a home. The easier a seller can do that than the |
| mood and make the home more inviting. Major | | | | quicker he sells his home. |