How to Prepare for an Open House
For many Chatham-Kent home owners, the open house is the most important day of the home selling process. You have planned and prepared with your Chatham-Kent realtor, and now you're ready to show your house to the world. So how do you prepare for an open house?
Most of the tasks are best left to your Chatham-Kent real estate agent, but there are some things you can do yourself. Start by following these tips, but also remember to listen to the professional advice of your Chatham Ontario real estate agent. They know the market, and they have the experience of running hundreds of open houses in the past.
Get lost before your Chatham-Kent open house
Get lost! As difficult as it is, you should be nowhere to be found before your Chatham-Kent realtor opens the doors of your house for an open house. Open houses are often filled with critique and people looking at every imperfection your home has. Visitors will also remark on the positives of your property, but they will likely say some things you won't want to hear. As well, having the current owner following potential buyers around is annoying, and often makes visitors feel uncomfortable. Leave the showing and question answering up to your Chatham-Kent real estate agent. They will know how to best market your home and to answer questions in a way that sheds a positive light on your property.
Break out the white gloves and sharpen your sniffer
Before your Chatham-Kent open house, you should clean your home like it has never been cleaned before. Dusty shelves or unwelcome odours will quickly turn potential home buyers away. Spend the days leading up to your open house thoroughly cleaning every inch of your house. Top to bottom, inside and outside, not a spot missed. This includes washing carpets and floors, dusting, putting out fresh linens, cleaning washrooms, organizing your closets, cutting your lawn, emptying garbage bins, and everything in between. No corner should be left un-scrubbed, and no odour should be ignored. If needed, hire a professional cleaner to come in. Remember, some potential home buyers will open drawers and closets, so nothing is hidden. A clean and fresh smelling house will go a long way toward selling your house. If need be, bake some cookies and light some candles to help make your home smell fresh.
Pick a date that works for Chatham-Kent home buyers
When you select a date for your open house, it should fit the schedule of potential home buyers, even if it inconveniences you. This is a time you should trust your Chatham-Kent Ontario real estate agent and allow them to guide you. Certain dates, times, and weekend are notorious for having a poor turnout to open houses. For example, you wouldn't hold an open house the day after Christmas. Most Chatham-Kent residents are busy with family and friends, or shopping for Boxing Day sales. In the summer, you should be aware of major events in Chatham-Kent, and aim to work either with them, or around them. Sometimes when more people are in town, there is an opportunity to showcase your house; however, this is not always the case. Let your Chatham-Kent real estate agent guide you, even if it is not ideal for your own schedule.
Finish off your forgotten to-do list
If there was ever a time to fix that broken door knob, slap a fresh coat of paint on your spare bedroom walls, de-clutter your basement, trim your hedges, it's before open house weekend. Your house needs to look better than ever, because in the end, it could mean the difference between receiving your asking price, a low ball offer, or no offer at all. Ask your Chatham-Kent real estate agent what they think needs to be done, and then work to complete as many items on the to-do list as time and your budget allows for before your open house.
If you need help preparing for an open house in Chatham-Kent, or you would like help putting your home on the market, feel free to give me a call at 519-360-0141, or Contact Me. As well, feel free to browse all of the current Chatham, Ontario real estate listings.