Real Estate Blog

n open house is a wonderful opportunity to get a lot of potential buyers into your home all at once. They can be successful, but only if you prepare for them. Here are some things to consider when prepping for your open house to make sure it’s a successful endeavor.

1. Up Your Curb Appeal

We talked about some simple ways to improve your home’s curb appeal earlier. Even small changes, like a fresh coat of paint on the front door or some decorative planters, can do a world of good in upping your curb appeal. It’s important to remember that the curb appeal is your home’s first impression to people. Potential buyers could come in or simply leave based on the exterior of your home alone, so take some time and make sure it’s looking its absolute best.

2. Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter makes home’s feel crowded and smaller than they actually are. It can also prevent people from seeing all of what makes your home so great. You have to declutter before you have an open house. Get a storage container if you have to, just be sure that nothing unnecessary is making your home look bad. Clean out closets of any messes, throw those piles of magazines in the recycle, and imagine how you want people to see your home.

3. Paint

A fresh coat of paint on the walls can help cover up any old or peeling paint problems your home may have. This is pretty standard for most homes that are going on the market, but the trick is to paint with the right colours. Avoid any intense hues or dramatic colours if you are repainting. Instead, use tasteful neutral tones that let people imagine their own furniture and future in your home.

4. Think About the Lighting

On the subject of paint, you will also need to replace any burnt out lightbulbs or fixtures that are more of an eyesore than piece of beauty. Poor lighting creates a dingy and claustrophobic atmosphere, but bright and tasteful lighting has the exact opposite effect. This may require new light fixtures, or even new windows to help bring in the natural light, but the right lighting can work wonders.

5. Clean

This may sound obvious, but a thorough cleaning is absolutely necessary before an open house. Professional cleaners may be your best bet, since they can do a complete once-over in a relatively short amount of time. But if you want to save money by doing it yourself, then make sure you’re extra detail-oriented. Newcomers will look in places you forgot existed, so be sure to get on your hands and knees and clean every single crevice, behind every door, and inside every cupboard.

Preparation is one of the major keys to a successful open house. Without the right prep, your home could come off looking dirty, small, or undesirable. But taking just a little bit of time to make sure it looks its best will help your open house be much more successful.