In our previous blog, we discussed the importance of preparing your home for a commercial photoshoot, likening it to a first date. We focused on ways to make your home stand out on property websites. Now, let’s take it a step further and focus on preparing your home for an open house.
Whether a prospective buyer is viewing by appointment or attending an open home, it can, literally, pay to have your property looking its best. Humans can be fickle. While we hope they will overlook dust and clutter to focus on the potential, some won’t. Unfortunately, those individuals might be the ones in the best position to purchase.
Whether a prospective buyer is viewing by appointment or attending an open home, it can, literally, pay to have your property looking its best. Humans can be fickle. While we hope they will overlook dust and clutter to focus on the potential, some won’t. Unfortunately, those individuals might be the ones in the best position to purchase.Whether a prospective buyer is viewing by appointment or attending an open home, it can, literally, pay to have your property looking its best. Humans can be fickle. While we hope they will overlook dust and clutter to focus on the potential, some won’t. Unfortunately, those individuals might be the ones in the best position to purchase.
With a few strategic steps, you can ensure your home is attractive to buyers.
1. Declutter and Depersonalise
The first step in preparing your home is to declutter and depersonalise. Remove any personal items such as family photos, memorabilia, and excess furniture. We want potential buyers to picture their possessions in place, something easier to do in a blank space. Consider renting a storage unit if necessary to keep your belongings safe and out of sight.
2. Deep Clean
A clean home is a welcoming home. Which involves a deep clean of every room, including carpets, windows, and whiteware. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. A fresh, clean scent can make a significant difference in how buyers perceive your home.
3. Make Necessary Repairs
Before the open home, take care of any minor repairs that could detract from the overall appeal of your property. Repair leaky faucets, replace broken tiles and windows, and touch up paintwork as needed. These small improvements can make a big impact on buyers’ impressions.
4. Enhance Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see, so make sure it looks inviting. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and plant colourful flowers. If selling during winter, consider using pea straw over empty beds and deadheading roses and flowering annuals. Sweep driveways and paths and put away the outdoor toys and tools. Ensure pools and spas (if luckily enough to have these) are covered and secure. We have seen prospective buyers drive off again after a quick glance at a property’s exterior.
5. Stage Your Home
Staging your home involves arranging furniture and decor to highlight the best features of each room. Use neutral colours and tasteful decorations to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
A brief note about empty homes. If you decide to hire a professional staging company, ensure that you have some sort of security system installed (at least, neighbours willing to open and close curtains every day, collect mail etc, or a webcam that will alert you to the presence of unwelcome visitors). We have been discussing whether a house-sitting system similar to pet sitters might be a business opportunity in the making!
While empty be sure to arrange for someone to keep the home “aired” to avoid stale smells returning and if possible, do not cancel your power account, so we can warm up the main living area on cold days.
6. Tenanted properties
Selling a rental property is stressful for tenants too, especially if they loved living there but you are selling without them staying. So, when it comes to getting your rental open home ready, try not to rely on them too much to do the deep cleaning and tidying up. Consider hiring a professional cleaner to do the hard work and give them an incentive (e.g., offer to help with the expense of moving), to keep it that way whilst open homes are on. Ensure they know how to clean the rangehood filters after use and reduce condensation (wiping and opening windows in winter).
We focus on highlighting the positives of your property to potential buyers, but we need your help to make the most of an open house.
We are happy to discuss improvements and provide our clients with feedback from attendees after every open home.
