A successful open house can be a valuable opportunity for both buyers and sellers in Wellington County and a terrific marketing tool. You and your real estate agent can take steps to maximize the number of people who see your house, increasing its chances of selling quickly for a better price with these tips.

The importance of making a good impression is essential to a successful open house but it requires plenty of work. Here are a few tips to prepare your home.

Clean and Eliminate

Deep-cleaning your home is one of the most important tasks to complete prior to having a successful open house. Buyers will pay particular attention to the details of your home and you don’t want to make any area an eyesore. Pay attention to the small details such as baseboards, windows, and built-in shelves. Use “home wash” (hose attachment available at home improvement stores) to clean the outside of the house.

Eliminate half of your belongings as clutter can cost a sale. Rent a storage unit or portable pod for extraneous pieces of furniture or knick knacks. Alternatively, ask a friend if you can borrow some space in their garage.

Lock Up Personal Items

You will have strangers walk around your home, open closets and drawers, etc. This means you will run this risk of theft. Lock up all personal belongings such as jewelry and sentimental items that includes any papers with personal information. Your personal information is easy for individuals to steal and they can do severe damage before you realize it.

Do a Smell Test

Don’t let smell be the reason your house suffers from a bad first impression. You can get rid of unpleasant odors by simply opening the windows and lighting a candle. In the event of bad weather keep the windows open, consider running a diffuser with essential oils, boiling water with lemon and orange peels, or even baking cookies.

Open all Curtains

Whether your successfully open house is in the morning or during the evening hours, you want to keep your windows open. You want to let in as much natural light as possible. Even if it is dark outside, buyers still want to see the windows and the potential for light inside the home.

Pay attention to the Little Things

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes to notice the small things around the house that need updating or a quick clean up. Since the front door is the first thing people will take note of make sure the front door is inviting. Does it need a new coat of paint? Buy new house numbers if yours are old, dated or faded and be sure buyers can see the new ones from the curb.

Let your agent handle the Marketing

An experienced real estate agent knows all the tricks and proven techniques to advertising your open house. Let them handle all the details and make sure to do your part to spread the word by sharing on social media, passing out flyers, etc.

Additionally, be willing to follow the agent’s instructions to complete certain tasks prior to the open house. Experienced REALTOR® knows how to really make the house shine and stand out from the competition.