|
| Posted By |
Message |
KMCGK
Gotta have faith
Member since 7/09 2176 total posts
Name:
Keep the Faith
|
Tips for an Open House
Any tips from BTDT sellers or from buyers now that are looking?
Likes and dislikes?
TIA!
Hope this is it!
|
Posted 10/25/12 12:40 PM  |
| |
|
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
|
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Are you selling yourself, or will you have an agent representing you at the open house?
A few tips would be:
1. Make sure you sign everyone in and get some kind of contact info from them so you (or your agent) can follow up and get feedback from the people who come through, answer questions, etc.
2. For safety and security - Put away all money, valuables, and medications in a hard to find place or remove them from the house. Also, it's a good idea to have two people working the open house, both for personal safety, and so they can keep an eye on and answer questions on buyers who come into the house.
3. Turn on all lights -- Light and bright shows better, and you don't want people searching for lights, falling down the basement steps, etc.
4. Make sure everything is accessible to be seen -- so remove childproofing on things like closets and cabinets (so that buyers can check out storage space), have the garage door open, or the remote handy, etc.
5. Keep the house looking as good as possible - The big 4 are make sure to: (i) clean, (ii) declutter, (iii) neutralize, and (iv) repair. Also, setting the stage with a pleasant smell (from baking, a not too strong candle) and playing some soft music can help create a nice, welcoming atmosphere. Curb appeal counts, and yards can really sell the home, so make sure the outside is as well-tended and inviting as the inside.
6. Have information, such as an attractive flyer (color photos, description of property), ready to give to people who come through. Most buyers go to multiple open houses in the same day, and the houses can start to blend together. You want them to remember the details. Whoever is working the open house should be well-versed on all details of the home, so they can answer questions.
7. Make sure the open house is well advertised -- No one can come if they don't know about it. Internet is key, as are signs the day of (balloons on the signs help), and even walking flyers around the neighborhood.
|
| Posted 10/25/12 1:32 PM |
| |
|
MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
I think the most important thing you can do is de-clutter your house as much as possible. It has been a huge turn off for me and DH as perspective buyers to go into a house that is cluttered. It suggests that there is not enough storage. Another important thing is to try to neutralize any smells. Pet odors and overly scented candles have also been huge turn offs. The houses that we have put offers on we staged well and made the homes feel comfortable and inviting.
|
| Posted 10/25/12 2:50 PM |
| |
|
ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
|
Tips for an Open House
One thing that turned me off from open houses was the people. I went to an open house where the whole family was there and I felt extremely awkward walking through rooms where they were just hanging around and staring. 1-2 people + agent is ok. Mom, Dad, kids, grandparents, siblings, etc. - no.
|
| Posted 10/25/12 3:03 PM |
| |
|
Pray4Baby2010
<3 Cutest Giants Fan
Member since 10/09 5796 total posts
Name:
MB
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
1- declutter, but don't dump things in the closets- people will look there too
2- take down personal photos so people can picture themselves in your space
3- bake something with vanilla or cinnamon before the open house starts- these are scents that have been proven to make people want to spend money (In disneyworld they pump the scent of vanilla down main street where the stores are- works I swear!)
Good luck!
|
| Posted 10/25/12 3:21 PM |
| |
|
KMCGK
Gotta have faith
Member since 7/09 2176 total posts
Name:
Keep the Faith
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Thanks so much for the suggestions.
Christine, yes, we are listed with an agent/owner of another Centuy 21 actually. I'm going to double check that there will be more than one agent here to answer questions and watch!
We wont be here. I definitely didnt like when the owners were home when I looked at homes. Maybe I'll bake something in the am. I'm not a fan of scented candles really. Most are too strong and give me a headache!
Thanks again!
|
| Posted 10/25/12 4:44 PM |
| |
|
JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Declutter. Clean it. Dont stuff crap in your closets. I have been to too many and opened a door and all this shit falls out. Pick up your underwear, seen that too. Get rid of any cat litter boxes, as a non cat person, i dont want to see that. Keep your dogs outside if you hVe them. And light a candle or something, its your house and you may not realize it has an odor, but a stranger will. Not saying your house stinks, just saying. Clean counters off. Remove personal pics.
|
| Posted 10/25/12 5:06 PM |
| |
|
AScottWolf
I <3 our squish!
Member since 11/10 2237 total posts
Name:
Adriana
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Oh, this is tip for after an open house....
go around and make sure that all your doors and windows are closed and locked. I've heard stories about people with not-so-good intentions going to open houses and unlocking windows to later break in.
To answer the original question, I think all of answers listed above are good.
G'luck! 
|
| Posted 10/25/12 6:07 PM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Posted by JennZ
Declutter. Clean it. Dont stuff crap in your closets. I have been to too many and opened a door and all this shit falls out. Pick up your underwear, seen that too. Get rid of any cat litter boxes, as a non cat person, i dont want to see that. Keep your dogs outside if you hVe them. And light a candle or something, its your house and you may not realize it has an odor, but a stranger will. Not saying your house stinks, just saying. Clean counters off. Remove personal pics.
ITA with this. When we were looking at homes I remember being appalled at the way people kept their homes. Dusty furniture, dirty counters, clutter everywhere, laundry strewn about on the floor, hair all over the bathroom. It was just GROSS and even though we *KNEW* to look past the mess and see the overall potential it was still pretty icky walking through filthy, stinky homes. Just turns you off a little.
You want to make your home as clean, decluttered, and welcoming as possible because many people can't see past hideous paint colors, filth, clutter, etc. and see the potential in a home. KWIM? 
|
| Posted 10/26/12 8:53 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Tips for an Open House
Posted by ElizaRags35
One thing that turned me off from open houses was the people. I went to an open house where the whole family was there and I felt extremely awkward walking through rooms where they were just hanging around and staring. 1-2 people + agent is ok. Mom, Dad, kids, grandparents, siblings, etc. - no.
For my listings, I always prefer if NONE of the sellers are home for an open house. Sometimes it's unavoidable. But having even one or two people who own or live in the house present for the open house can be awkward.
Buyers feel more at ease to really check out the home when the seller isn't there keeping a watchful eye. A buyer may feel weird opening closets and cabinets with the seller there. They may feel like they are disturbing the people if they are sitting in a room on a computer or watching tv, and not even want to go in. And buyers definitely speak more freely and raise their concerns - to each other and the agent - if the seller isn't there to hear. They don't want to be insulting, but it's very hard for an agent to gauge interest if they can't hear what the buyer truly thinks and get to the bottom of what might be preventing them from making an offer.
Finally, some sellers just can't help themselves - when they are present, they feel the need to "show" the house and point out all of the wonderful, amazing things they put into the house. But that can be really counterproductive -- 1) they may be pointing out things that the buyer doesn't care about (e.g., school district when the buyer has no kids and no plans for kids, kitchen when the buyer doesn't like to cook or entertain), 2) they may point out things that aren't the fantastic upgrades the seller thinks they are (e.g., the patterned laminate kitchen floor circa 1985 that is SO easy to clean), or 3) the buyers spend all their time being polite to the seller that they can't really take in the house on their own terms and see if it would be a good fit for them.
|
| Posted 10/26/12 10:14 AM |
| |
|
Potentially Related Topics:
Currently 1576747 users on the LIFamilies.com Chat
|
Long Island Bridal Shows
|
