Get ready to prepare for an open house! As a Colorado Springs realtor, I am always looking for ways to help my clients. Whether you’re selling your first or your third home, these five steps will ensure that you have the best chance of making a sale.
Make Alternative Plans For Family And Pets To Prepare For An Open House
Having alternative plans during a scheduled open house is an essential step in readying your home to potential buyers. If possible, make plans outside of your home for yourself and your pets during these scheduled times. It’s not only disruptive from an agent’s perspective; it’s distracting for buyers. Unless your home is FSBO, most prospective buyers don’t care to meet the current residents. Further, some people could be afraid or allergic to pets, so not having them around while prospective buyers view the home.
Check All Lights Are In Working Order
This tip comes from firsthand experience. People want to understand how the home looks when the lights are on, primarily if the open house occurs late afternoon or evening. And, while custom lighting is excellent, if people don’t know how to turn on the switch or operate the lighting, they get left in the dark and leave.
Bake Or Offer Up Some Fresh Treats!
Almost everyone appreciates the scent of freshly baked treats! Consider baking up some of your favorite snacks or baked goods for people to enjoy when viewing your home. Fan favorites include cookies, brownies, and doughnuts, to name a few.
Make Sure Your Home Is Clean
People who attend your open house are your most crucial house guests! They will be looking for any signs of dirt, dust, or wear and tear to help them gauge the quality of your home. So, make sure everything is clean! Throw in some elbow grease and use good cleaning tools. While you should make every effort to ensure every corner of your house is clean, pay special attention to the bathrooms and kitchen, as these are common areas everyone uses.
Check With Neighbors About Parking Availability
Most open houses last between an hour and a half to two hours. As a result, your neighborhood could experience higher traffic levels and added demand for parking during this time. When planning an open house, it’s worth checking with some of your neighbors to let them know ahead of time. If you’re on friendly terms with them, you might consider asking if they would be OK with allowing guests to park in their driveway during this time to reduce potential parking issues in front of homes or along the street.
The Colorado Springs Police Department has also created an online form that residents can use to notify them of an upcoming event. If you do not want to use the Colorado Springs Police Department tool, a simple phone call or email should suffice to let them know extra patrols could be needed.
I hope these tried and true tips for preparing for an Open House help you market your home more effectively and result in a faster sale. If you’re searching for upcoming Open Houses in the Colorado Springs area, please be sure to check my listings for more information!
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