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[Checklist Inside] Home Staging Tips to Prepare for an Open House

by | May 24, 2018 | Home, Home Selling, Home Staging, Staging | 0 comments

Having an open house in your home is an opportunity to get your product in front of potential customers, so it’s important to put your best foot forward and make sure your home is prepared properly for sale.

While opinions about whether to hold an open house vary from agent to agent, the overall goals of an open house remains the same– to attract home buyers, create a buzz and sell houses.
Is your house ready for an open house? Will home buyers notice the best features of your home? It goes without saying that your home must be in good condition for an open house to be successful, or most likely buyers will walk out. If you want to appeal to home buyers, looking for move-in ready properties, have a plan before holding an open house. Here’s what home sellers should consider:

A Week Before an Open House

Now is the time to take care of any plans that include: space planning, project management and caregiving. Buyers will take note of everything. So, remember the small things, that can add up in a buyers mind and be deducted from the sales price when it comes time to make an offer.

  • Move some furniture into storage. (At least one piece of furniture out of every room.)
  • Make sure each room has the proper traffic flow.
  • Touch up paint in main rooms.
  • Paint or repaint front door.
  • Replace outdated light fixtures and worn out light switches.
  • Change burned out light bulbs.
  • Fix running toilets.
  • Repair leaky faucets.
  • Replace broken windows, blinds and screens.
  • Make arrangements for your pets, children or the elderly to leave the house during the open house.
  • Home sellers should also have plans “NOT” to be at showings.

open house checklist

Check out your curb appeal! It’s one of the first things buyers will see as they pull up to your property. Your home’s first impression creates a lasting impression on home buyers.

  • Make sure to cut your grass, cutback shrubs & bushes.
  • Remove dead or dying landscaping.
  • Plant flowers or add flower pots strategically through property.
  • Pick up any garbage and small lawn decor to avoid distracting buyers.
  • Remember to clean your glass door, especially if you have pets.
  • Sweep garage, driveway, walkway and porch.

24 to 48 Hours Prior to an Open House

Focus on the inside of your home. Hire a cleaning lady or roll up your sleeves and get to work. Clean your home from top to bottom so your home feels fresh and welcomes buyers to tour the property.

  • Vacuum cobwebs from corners.
  • Dust ceiling fans.
  • Wipe windowsills and wash the windows, inside and out.
  • Rid your home of smells.
  • Open all the windows to air out the house.
  • Clear surfaces from clutter.
  • Wipe down surfaces and appliances.
  • Launder and fluff bedding, towels, and rugs
  • Clean sinks and toilets.
  • Organize closets.
  • Vacuum upholstery and floors.
  • Purchase a bouquet of flowers to arrange in your home to set the scene and add a pop of color.

For all our open house tips check out our Home Staging Open House Checklist.

Morning of an Open House

Today is the big day, but there are still a few things you can do to make sure your home sparkles.

  • Make your beds.
  • Do the dishes.
  • Pick up any kid clutter.
  • Remove pet accessories.
  • Give every room the “once over,” and scrutinize each space as a buyer would.

10 Minutes Prior to an Open House

Just a few more minutes before your home is open for business, are you ready?

  • Turn on all your lights.
  • Light candles (real or fake) strategically around a room or two.
  • Open up curtains and blinds to let natural light in.
  • Depending on the season, start up the fireplace to add ambiance.
  • Leave the front door open (if you have a storm door) to welcome buyers up to the property.

Now, that you have a plan to show off your property, when is the best time to hold an open house? Most communities still find Sunday afternoon between 1-5pm, during pleasant weather will get the most foot traffic.

Want to learn more about the home staging process? Grab a copy of Feel at Home: Home Staging Secrets for a Quick and Easy Sell where we go through a 10-preparation steps to make buyers feel at home when touring your property on the market. These are tried and true methods on how my client’s used home staging to sell fast. Have a home staging question? Contact us.
Happy Selling,
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