Any tips for getting property ready for open house?

divadee

I went to an open house viewing that had 79 different sets of viewers. They had over 20 offers. Worked for that family who were selling. I took a quick look around knew it would go over our budget and left.

konark

My friends went to an open house at the correct time and date , but when they got there the house was locked, the estate agents hadn't even showed up. So they complained to the agent only to be told by some underling that they'd pass the message on.

It was only later that, whilst checking Rightmove, they found that they'd gone to the wrong house!!

Ithaca

Our agent encouraged an open house from a marketing point-of-view... if potential buyers see other people looking around "their" future house it can encourage them to put in an offer (and often a higher offer than they otherwise would) as it makes the place look that much more desirable.

We had an open morning on our house last year... four initial viewings and an asking price offer within 30 mins.

newtothis141414

Ithaca I'd be happy with that!

Sus59

We have our first viewing tomorrow. I've spent a few hours after work tidying and cleaning and finally got to sit down and relax with a glass of wine. Only to accidentally spill it all over the carpet :-(......

Lemonsqueezer78

I slip sheets of "Bounce" inside the covers of all the cushions in my living room and bedrooms (if you have cushions on your beds) to keep things smelling like fresh laundry. This method creates a pleasant smell that is not as overpowering as febreeze and other aerosol air fresheners but lasts a lot longer.

EJennyJ

We've had an offer at the asking price via the EA even before the property has gone up on the website - we are madly decluttering so the EA can come and take some decent photos- but we still plan to get the photos done and then have a viewing day rather than lots of individual viewings - just in case the first buyer pulls out! All the EA's we saw before choosing one said viewing days (with properly managed appointments - not quite the same as an open day where the EA has no idea who is coming through the door) work well in this area and we are keen on the idea because it is less hassle for us. 3 bed-semis are in demand (and not many on the market!) in our area, so we hope we are in a good position.... good luck newtothis14!

Bonfire_Bride

EJennyJ wrote: »

We've had an offer at the asking price via the EA even before the property has gone up on the website - we are madly decluttering so the EA can come and take some decent photos- but we still plan to get the photos done and then have a viewing day rather than lots of individual viewings - just in case the first buyer pulls out! All the EA's we saw before choosing one said viewing days (with properly managed appointments - not quite the same as an open day where the EA has no idea who is coming through the door) work well in this area and we are keen on the idea because it is less hassle for us. 3 bed-semis are in demand (and not many on the market!) in our area, so we hope we are in a good position.... good luck newtothis14!

Congrats!


Sometimes a quiet house can be a little "cold" feeling. Put a music channel on the tele. Not greatest rock hits but a channel like magic and have it quiet enough so that conversation can still be had.


It adds a little atmosphere to the house.


The obligatory vase of flowers and bowl of fruit may help too.


Our house was on the market for 1.5 years...I hate to imagine how much I spent on flowers and fruit.

googler

vuvuzela wrote: »

Maybe have a bowl of crisps / snacks / biscuits or something out.

... and have the viewers spreading crumbs all over? No, no, no.