Hosting an open house for the home you are trying to sell can be an effective way of showcasing the home to multiple potential buyers at the same time. As opposed to a formal house tour with an agent, an open house gives home shoppers a bit more free reign to explore on their own accord. There is an art to readying your home for an open house—setting the stage with cozy lighting, clearing clutter and even baking some sweet treats to help your house smell like home. But along those same lines there are certain things you should not do when preparing for a stream of potential home buyers to visit. Specifically, here are six items you should put away during an open house to avoid giving buyers the wrong impression about your home—and to protect your personal property.
- Personal documents. This one is more for your own protection. Leaving personal information laying around with your name and important numbers displayed is a bad idea when there are strangers coming into your home. Instead, keep them locked away in an off-site location like your office. If that is not an option, then hide them well in a place where an identity theft seeker would not think to look.
- Pets and their things. As much as you love your Pomeranian or pet hamster, not everyone browsing to buy your home is an animal lover. The fact that there were animals in the home at all may detract a potential buyer from making an offer. If possible, take your pets to a friend’s house during the open house, or opt to board them. You should also hide away pet items like food and water bowls, toys, etc.
- Fans and space heaters. What’s wrong with fans and space heaters? They can be an indicator to potential buyers that your home is not able to maintain a temperate climate on its own. If they see a space heater, they may think the house is always cold. Conversely, if they see a fan, they may think the house is always hot. Think about this concept for other items as well. Do you have ear plugs on your night stand? A buyer may think this means your neighborhood is noisy.
- Ashtrays. Even if an ashtray is empty on your patio table, put it away. Cigarettes are a major deterrent for potential home buyers, even if you smoke them outdoors.
- Political paraphernalia. The idea is to stay neutral when it comes to preparing your home for an open house, which includes putting away campaign signs, posters or even magnets on your refrigerator that could instantly turn away half of your potential buyers. Politics are a volatile issue that should stay out of the home buying and selling arena.
- Food. This is another one that serves to look out for your best interest! If your refrigerator is stocked full of appetizing food, then visitors to an open house may feel inclined to help themselves—it’s happened before! Keep your fridge neat and tidy, and keep the food you have on hand to a minimum or out of sight while the open house is going on.
Keep in mind these items you should put away during an open house to make sure your open house goes as smoothly and works as effectively as possible!
For more home buying and selling tips, continue to follow the Ryan Roberts Realtor blog! And for your real estate needs in Auburn, Opelika and Lake Martin, contact Ryan today at 334-750-9872 or email [email protected]!