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May
20
20
Your Open House Prep Checklist
Hosting an open house is a great way to promote your home during the selling process. You'll greatly reduce the number of separate viewings you'll need to schedule, giving you more flexibility during this often chaotic time.
However, this also greatly raises the stakes on the big day. You can't afford to make a bad impression on so many potential buyers. Luckily, there are many things you can do to make the event go smoothly. Get started with this checklist from our real estate agents.
- Declutter
Since you're moving anyway, give yourself a head start on packing by boxing up any knickknacks and rarely-used household items you have lying around. If your shelves are stuffed full of books, collectibles, or other items, consider putting some of those away too. You'll make it much easier for buyers to see what they're getting and won't overwhelm them. - Do Some Exterior Cleaning
Your home's windows, screens, gutters, and siding should all look their best before potential buyers arrive. Give each one a thorough cleaning with mild soap and water. Only use harsher cleansers if the soap can't get the job done. If you have access to a power washer, hose down your driveway, walkways, and sidewalks too. - Make Your Rooms Look as Large as Possible
Even small rooms can be made to look much larger with careful design and furniture placement. Placing oversized art and accent pieces in the room draws the viewer in and makes the space feel more expansive. Keep at least a few pieces of furniture away from the walls to show that there is plenty of room available. Use the room's height to your advantage, placing vertical elements like tall bookshelves and hanging lights to emphasize the extra space. - Get Repairs Done
Are there any damaged areas of your home that you just haven't gotten around to fixing? Now is the time to do it. Not only will visible problems create a bad first impression with buyers, but they also signal that the new owners will need to save some of their budget for expensive repair costs. Get these issues taken care of to give your home the best chance of attracting top-tier offers. - Organize
You might think that there's no way buyers will look inside that spare bedroom closet you've jammed so full of stuff that you can barely close the door – but what if they do? Just in case, take some time to organize your closets, garage, basement, and drawers. Everything should look well-kept and buyers should easily be able to see the underlying structure of the storage space they're looking at. - Deep Clean Your Kitchen and Bathroom
Few things will turn a buyer off more quickly than a grimy kitchen or bathroom. Give these rooms a very thorough deep cleaning before your open house. Polish the grout between the tiles, clean the sinks, shower, bathtub, and toilet, and shine up any mirrors or metallic surfaces. If you're not confident in your ability to reach every nook and cranny, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to get the job done. - Depersonalize
Some buyers may struggle to build a connection to your home if there are too many personal items lying around. Put away any unique decor like family photos and hobby memorabilia. Keep surfaces clear of books, coasters, notepads, and other items you use in your daily life. If your linens are particularly bright and colorful, consider buying new bedding in neutral colors. - Freshen Up Your House Numbers
Buyers won't be able to attend your open house if they can't identify which home is yours. Walk to the end of your driveway and look at your house numbers. Are they easy to spot? Could they use a cleaning? Would they be more noticeable with a fresh coat of paint? If they're old, worn, or in a location that will always be hard to see, consider replacing them. Place the new ones right next to your door so buyers won't have to search around for them.
Want to tip the odds even more in your favor? Our real estate team can help you stage and market your home to its best advantage and win those high offers you've been hoping for. Contact us today to discuss your needs, and let us make your next open house a success.