Selling your house can be a big undertaking, especially without a real estate agent. One thing you can do to dramatically increase interest in your home is throw an open house. A successful open house can sell your home quickly, while a poor one can scare off potential buyers. Here are a few tips to make your open house go smoothly:
• Make any repairs. Get out the WD-40 and fix that squeaky door, then get the carpets cleaned. You want your home to be in peak condition, and leaving minor problems unfixed can drive people away. You’ll particularly want to look out for broken stairs, squeaky doors and loose light fixtures, as these are most likely to be noticed.
• Fresh paint. Giving your home a fresh coat of white paint can help it look fresh and appealing. You may love the bright blue living room, but it may scare away a potential buyer.
• “Stage” the home. More than just cleaning, staging a home involves creating an experience for visitors. Fun knick-knacks and lush window treatments can make a huge difference. Real estate agents recommend staging, as it can make all the difference in selling your home quickly
• Promote, promote, promote. Let everyone know about your open house – put up flyers, advertise in your local classifieds and hit Facebook for an added boost. People can only come to your open house if they know about it.
• Put up signs. Make sure people can find your home on the big day. Making big, bold signs and placing them around the neighborhood can guide people to your home and generate interest with others.
• Register visitors. You’ll want to make sure to get the name and contact information of any person who comes in the door, whether they’re a buyer or a real estate agent. You can use a registry book, or have a form.
• Follow up. In the week following your open house, follow up with everyone who came. This can be a quick phone call or e-mail and gives you a chance to answer any of their questions.
Throwing a successful open house can be a fun way to sell your home without a real estate agent. Follow these tips to ensure your success next time you’re trying to sell.
