Experts Share 6 Things You Should Always Do Before an Open House
Design by Cathy Hong / Photo by Margaret Austin
If your home is currently for sale and you're wondering what major to-do's you should prioritize before hosting an open house, you won't want to miss out on these six useful tips from experienced real estate agents.
Below, the pros share some non-negotiable steps to take before prospective buyers set foot inside your space to ensure that their experience is as pleasant as possible.
Meet the Experts
Hilary Bubes is a real estate agent with Compass.
Erin Mara is an associate broker with Real Broker LLC and leader of The Bloom Group.
Sean A. Sutherland is a licensed salesperson at Christie’s International Real Estate.
Clean Your Appliances
Given that large appliances like refrigerators and ovens will remain in your home after you move, you will want to ensure that they're sparkling both inside and outside so that they appeal to prospective buyers.
Hilary Bubes, a real estate agent with Compass, suggests having the inside of your oven deep cleaned.
Ensure Your Home Appears Staged
Even if you're still living in your home while it's on the market, this shouldn't be easily apparent to prospective buyers.
"The open house appearance should essentially be the same as when the house was photographed for marketing purposes," Erin Mara, an associate broker with Real Broker LLC and leader of The Bloom Group, explains.
Some key steps to take before leaving for the day are storing away personal items, putting down toilet seats, and ensuring that the exterior is well-landscaped and welcoming, she says.
Mara emphasizes paying special attention to each room. When it comes to bedrooms, make sure all the beds are made and ensure nothing under the beds can be seen. For bathrooms, she recommends tucking toiletries under the sink so that the countertops and shower are bare. These extra steps will make each room look tidier for the open house.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Scent
Agents agree that a home's fragrance can majorly influence a prospective buyer's impression of the space, both for better and for worse.
"Bringing in pleasing aromas either with naturally scented products or yummy food is often forgotten," Mara shares. You don't need to spend much time or money to achieve this, either.
Sean A. Sutherland, a licensed salesperson at Christie’s International Real Estate, recommends placing a cup of cinnamon in an oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes to create a warm and homey aroma to welcome visitors.
Bubes advises opening your home's windows a few hours before visitors arrive.
"You are probably used to the smell of your house but there are often lingering odors," she says. "If you have carpets, get them deep cleaned as well."
Remove All Signs of Pets
If you're a pet owner, be mindful that not every prospective buyer wants to see signs of your cat or dog. Before an open house, hide all food and water bowls, pet beds, and pet toys, says Bubes.
Whether it's dropping them off at a pet day care or bringing them out for a walk with you, make sure they're not in the house when prospective buyers are coming over.
Prioritize Lighting
Buyers will want to get a sense of how much natural light a home receives, so make it easy for them to do so by taking a few key steps ahead of time.
"Any heavy furniture or drapery blocking light from flowing into the property should be removed or repositioned," Sutherland shares.
Bubes explains that buyers will want to see the view from the property and will need a clear path to step to the window. She encourages homeowners to hire a window washer to come before the open house, so all screens covering the windows are removed while prospective buyers are touring the space.
When it comes to artificial light inside your home, ensure that all lightbulbs are working and the lights in each room are turned on, Bubes adds.
Remove Indoor Cameras
If your home has indoor cameras, remove them for the open house. This will help prospective buyers feel as though they can roam through the space freely, Bubes notes.
Read Next: 10 Mistakes Realtors Always Notice at Open Houses
Read the original article on The Spruce.
