An open house is much like a first date – first impressions, count! While it can be a nerve-wracking experience, it's also an exciting opportunity to showcase the best aspects of your property and connect with potential buyers on a personal level.
You only get one real chance to make that first impression. So, to prepare your property for sale and ensure your open house is a resounding success, there are a few things you can do ahead of the day.
Open house preparation tips
1. Home staging
Staging involves “setting the stage” for potential buyers by making your home as appealing as possible. This includes decluttering, depersonalising, and rearranging furniture to highlight the property’s best features. Professional home stagers can be hired to help your property sell much faster.
Virtual staging can also be employed to help your property stand out from the crowd online.This can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional staging, eliminating the need to physically rent or purchase furniture and accessories. It also offers greater flexibility and convenience, as changes can be made quickly and easily to accommodate different tastes or preferences. However, keep in mind that this will change the look and feel of the open home, as the property will be empty, losing the opportunity to create an emotional connection to your buyers.
2. Deep cleaning
Yes, it’s an obvious step – but you’d be surprised how big a difference a thorough cleaning can make when preparing your home to sell.
Dust, vacuum, scrub, mop, brush, and wipe all surfaces from carpets to walls to cabinets. Don’t overlook areas such as skirting boards, the inside of your oven and refrigerator, door handles, light switches, and those gaps between furniture and appliances.
Make sure the exterior of your house is spotless, too. Pay attention to flyscreens, windows, and the driveway. Sweep or pressure wash driveways, pathways, and patios to remove dirt, stains, and debris.
Trim back overgrown trees and hedges, mow lawns, and consider adding seasonal plants or flowers to add colour and intrigue to further boost your home’s curb appeal.
3. Upgrades and repairs
Attend to any visible wear and tear such as leaky taps, chipped paint, or loose doorknobs. While these may seem like minor issues, addressing them demonstrates proactive maintenance and instills confidence in buyers regarding the property's overall condition. These small repairs can make a big difference in how potential buyers perceive the property and can ultimately contribute to a faster sale and potentially higher offers.
Effective open house strategies
1. Promote on social media
Your agent can harness the power of social media to market your property and attract potential buyers to your open house. This process usually involves the creation of compelling posts with high-quality photos and engaging captions to pique interest. They will utilise targeted advertising to reach individuals within specific demographics or geographical areas who are most likely to be interested in your property.
Top Tip: You can help amplify this to your own audience/neighbours in the area by sharing these posts.
2. Create eye-catching listings
Work with your real estate agent to craft a detailed and captivating listing that highlights the property's unique selling points, such as its location, amenities, and recent upgrades. Incorporating professional photography will showcase the property in its best light and entice viewers to schedule a visit. Including a video walkthrough will give potential buyers the opportunity to virtually tour your property from the convenience of their own home. Video walkthroughs can serve as a valuable marketing tool to attract out-of-town buyers and generate excitement and anticipation for the upcoming open house.
Maximising the impact of your open house
1. Cater to the senses
Don’t neglect the power sense plays when selling your home! Create a multi-sensory experience by paying attention to details like pleasant scents, soft background music, and tasteful decor. Subtle touches such as flowers in a vase or a scented candle can evoke feelings of comfort and homeliness, making visitors feel more connected to the space.
2. Personalise your property
Go the extra mile to personalise the open house experience for potential buyers. For example, providing informative materials such as neighbourhood guides to help them envision themselves living in the property.
You can also add personalisation with some fresh flowers, or a bowl of fresh fruit. Make beds using quality linen and add new towels to the bathroom. It’s all about infusing the home with a personal touch and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
3. Create a lasting impression
Your agent will create informative brochures, highlighting the property’s key features, which will leave a lasting impression on visitors. They will contact all the potential buyers who inspected your property and will pass on any feedback to you. . This allows guests to share their thoughts and impressions of the property, helping you gain valuable insights into their experience and any areas for improvement.
By following these open house preparation steps you can maximise the impact of your open house and increase the likelihood of a successful sale. Remember, it's not just about showcasing the property – it's about making a lasting impression that resonates with buyers long after they've left the open house.
DISCLAIMER - The information provided is for guidance and informational purposes only and does not replace independent business, legal and financial advice which we strongly recommend. Whilst the information is considered true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided. LJ Hooker will not accept responsibility or liability for any reliance on the blog information, including but not limited to, the accuracy, currency or completeness of any information or links.
