How an Open House Can Sell your Home
When
it
comes to selling your home, an open
house can be your best marketing tool. Most people shopping for a new
home want to get the feel of several neighbourhoods before they even
begin working with a Realtor. Open houses will attract these buyers.
And if they like what they see, they may come back to negotiate a deal.
If you are selling your home, an open house is an important part of the
marketing plan your Realtor will develop for you.
In real estate, there are generally two kinds of open houses: One is
solely for Realtors. This open house is usually held when your home is
first listed and gives other Realtors an opportunity to inspect your
home with their buyers in mind. If any Realtors think there is a
possible match, they will act quickly.
An open house for Realtors also eliminates the many single inspections
that might otherwise take place. And the professional comments and
opinions you receive may help you make changes to your home that will
increase its appeal to prospective buyers.
The second kind of open house is an advertised one for all potential
buyers. These are usually held on weekend afternoons over a period of
time. Most of us are familiar with the roadside signs. The dates and
times are often listed in local newspapers.
Leave
your home
Your
Realtor will usually recommend you stay away from your home during
an open house. Let your Realtor take care of all the details and act on
your behalf. Your presence could make prospective buyers uncomfortable.
They may feel intimidated and rush their visit.
Your home will not get the thorough viewing it deserves if potential
buyers feel uncomfortable opening closets and cupboards and talking
about any concerns they have.
House pets can also be a major distraction to some buyers -- and a
concern to the seller if, for example, your prized indoor Persian
feline sneaks out the back door. Ask your Realtor if you should
temporarily remove any pets from the property during an open house.
Take
precautions
Because
you will be opening your home to the public, your Realtor will
also offer suggestions on precautions you can take to make it a
satisfying experience for all involved.
Start by removing or locking away any valuables, particularly small
articles that can be easily removed such as jewelry, camera equipment,
money, compact discs, valuable coins or other collections.
As an added precaution, your Realtor should ask all visitors to sign in
and leave their name, address and telephone number. They should also
make every effort to accompany all visitors through their tour of your
home.
Make
it
safe
Your
home should not resemble an obstacle course. Repair any unsightly
cracks or holes in your walkway or steps that could be a safety hazard.
Dont leave toys strewn around the front or back yards. Not only do
these things detract from your homes appeal, but they could prove to be
hazardous.
Inside your home, remove any wires or furniture pieces people might
trip over. Ensure that stairs and floors arent slippery and that all
spaces are well-lighted. In winter or on rainy days, provide a place
for shoes and coats near the entrance. Also, avoid cooking foods before
an open house that leave strong odors which may be unpleasant to some
visitors.
Plan
ahead
Plan
ahead by asking your Realtor to prepare an information sheet that
includes one or more photos of your property, as well as a list of key
features and advantages. These can be placed at the entrance for
viewers to take with them and to refer to as they walk through your
home. Prospective buyers often use these sheets when comparing
different homes.
Clean
and repair
To
create a favourable and lasting impression with potential buyers,
your home must be in top-notch condition. Your Realtor will discuss
your homes best features with you and provide helpful tips on things
you might do to help it sell more quickly.
Begin by cleaning and repairing everything that needs to be cleaned or
repaired. If your trim or siding looks dirty, wash it with an
appropriate cleaning solution. If the paint on your walls or trim is
peeling or blistering, fix the problem. A little paint and other minor
tune-ups can go a long way to making your home look more appealing and
marketable.
Outside, keep your lawn and hedges trimmed and tidy, and remove all
clutter. Inside, make your rooms, closets and cupboards look roomier
and more inviting by removing all clutter. Fix any electrical or
heating system problems. But dont lose sleep over whether to fix that
cracked tile on the kitchen floor. Some buyers will have their own
ideas about how to fix these problems.
Depersonalize
your home
Your
home reflects who you are, your taste and your style. Sometimes
this can distract a potential buyer from seeing the home itself. Remove
anything that a buyer might find too difficult to imagine in their
home. That includes your grandmothers elephant lamp, your collection of
family baby photos and the trophies your kids left behind when they
moved out. Also consider repainting or wallpapering any
brightly-coloured areas. Most buyers are drawn to light, neutral
colours that will complement their own furnishings.
It may sound like a lot of effort, but with the help of a Realtor an
open house can be just the ticket you need to sell your home quickly
and move on to your next dream home.
The
above article was submitted by the Vancouver Island
Real Estate Board for the information and benefit of consumers.
February 2001
rev Jun/01
Get
Your Home Ready for Sale
Your
Realtor: Best Source for Tips to Help Sell Your Home
Tips
to Help Homeowners Plan Their Next Move
Tips
on Sprucing
up Your Home Prior to Selling
Preparing
For Your Open House
How
an Open House Can Sell your Home
Selling
Your Home? Enlist the Services of a REALTOR
Sellers:
Take Advantage of the Buyers' Market
Creating
Curb Appeal Can Help Sell Your Home
How
To Books Offer Advice
Buying
or Selling a Home? Use a Realtor
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