Selling Your House Tuesday – Open House

There is as much to be said about not having an open house as to having one. 

1.       Some realtors feel it’s a waste of time especially when it’s turns out to be no more than the neighborhood snoop session.

2.       Some people worry about security issues.

3.       Some just plain don’t want people traipsing through their homes.

The upside, however, of having an open house is.

1.       Once you’ve got it cleaned and looking beautiful you can get as many people possible through it while it’s looking its best. You know what you have to go through each and every time you get a showing, this way you kill several birds with one stone.

2.       It’s like unveiling a long awaited art piece, build the drama. Having an open house makes a bit of a spectacle. It says, “Hey look at me!”

3.       It’s your one greatest chance to hit the ground running as far as selling your house goes. It’s putting your best foot forward and making a spectacular first impression.

4.       Even if you get a flood of nibby neighbors they will more than likely run to tell someone else how beautiful it is…..that could be a good thing.

5.       If you are concerned with security issues. Be sure to remove any thing that is of great value because even while there is a realtor on site at all times he/she cannot be in every room at every minute with everyone.  There’s always the obvious….don’t leave money, purses, wallets, keys to the house or cars lying around.

When I have an open house, I like to bake chocolate chip cookies and leave for guests. It helps them remember your house and it smells so homey and comforting. While I do use air fresheners at times, I like the more subtle ones. You don’t want people to walk into your house and get hit with an overpowering smell that suggests you have something to hide.

I’ve sold houses both ways, with and without an open house. Since it’s never taken me more than a week to sell a house, I can’t really say how much difference it made for sure.

Go with your gut on this one because, in the end, you need to feel comfortable with leaving your home open for the masses.

One last mention; You know from past blogs to take down family photos because the buyers want to be able to envision themselves living there and it’s hard to do with Aunt Harriet staring you in the face but personally, I don’t like pictures of my kids/grandkids around for strangers to see…..you never really know who is walking through. Sorry, creepy but needed said.

Next week: How much should you put down? How can it affect how much you pay for the house in the end?