In a buyer's market, it is crucial to arrange for a successful open house in order to attract prospective home buyers. As independent sellers and real estate agents vie for the attention of shoppers in this environment, especially when the buyer knows he has the upper hand, the competition gets stiff. Should you find yourself preparing to sell when the conditions lean away from your favor, take care to create the best possible presentation of your home.
Preparing for an Open House
If you work with a Realtor, more than likely you will be advised to leave the home during the open house. In some ways this is good because it does take some pressure off of you as far as answering questions and feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight. You don't want to appear pushy as people visit and inspect your home, but no doubt you are compelled - as the homeowner - to be ready with information. Consult with your agent before scheduling an open house, and prepare detailed information on the home (this includes major repairs and renovations, age, new carpet, et cetera).
If you plan to sell on your own, it will be your responsibility to have this information handy when home buyers and agents come to call. Keep plenty of copies to hand out, and include photos and any URLs if you have your sales data online. This way, prospective buyers will be able to reference how the house looks and compare it to other homes they may visit.
Before scheduling your open house, take care to determine the weather forecast. If you have a nice backyard to show, for example, you want to make sure you host visitors on a pleasant day that showcases the exterior of your home. Also, people may not be apt to trudge in the rain to open houses, so pay attention.
People will open doors in your home - bathrooms, closets, bedrooms. It's important to make sure the house doesn't appear cluttered. Don't feel compelled to cram everything in storage to the point it might avalanche. Get the family to pitch in and straighten sheets and shelves, and vacuum and sweep the floors.
On the day of the open house, open curtains to let in natural light, and play some mood music at a low volume - light jazz or classical. Light a few scented candles, nothing too pungent to threaten allergies, and make your home look comfortable. Fan magazines on the coffee table, arrange framed photographs on the mantle - the better the "homey" feel, the more attractive you make your home to buyers.
Real estate agents will often leave a guest book for visitors for follow-up purposes. If you're selling on your own, this is a good idea to try. You don't have to constantly cold call people, but even a thank-you e-mail or postcard can help keep your house in mind when prospective buyers do make a final decision on a bid.
Above all else, remain positive. The more energy you put into readying your home to stay, the better the opportunity to sell.
By:Kathryn Lively
