Opening your house for prospective buyers is a difficult task for sellers. Not only will you be busy looking for a good buyer, you also have to detach your emotions from the fact that you are selling your home.
It also feels awkward to invite people inside the house where they will poke at every corner and every closet, and then make judgements. It's all part of the open house process but it is still unnerving. It also feels intrusive, but it is something you must get through to be able to sell the house.
To help you survive the big day without any hassles, here are some tips to follow.
Prepare mentally and emotionally
A home sale has huge emotional implications. When you have become attached to the house, selling it is a tough decision. But if you have come to terms with the change, the actual sale and open house process will be easier.
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. Think about the consequences of your decisions and envision the processes you have to go through when you sell the house. Don’t be hasty in your decisions, otherwise you will make poor judgment and react emotionally
Remove personal items
Before the open house, make sure to remove all personal belongings and all items that show that people have been living there. It will help you feel better to welcome strangers into a home that doesn't look exactly like your "home". To prepare your home for sale, declutter, take down family photos and start to see your home as an object or item for sale. Think of it as a product.
Also, Buyers don’t want to feel like they are walking into someone else’s home. They want to see a place where they can imagine themselves or their family living in it. That’s what attracts them.
To better prepare your house for selling, it is advisable to move out of the house once you've decided to sell. This way, you can think like an investor and make sound decisions. It is also best to do some serious staging. That way you can emotionally detach from the house, and remove your presence so buyers can imagine themselves living in the home.
Declutter
Aside from removing expensive items, you also have to remove all other things and possessions not needed for the open house. Organize your personal things and store them in a storage unit or in the attic. This way, you don't have to worry about people tripping over your vase or breakables.
Remove garbage and make sure that the house is clean. Nothing disappoints a buyer more than an untidy house. If you can, add a fresh coat of paint. It will make the house look new.
Security
Remember that you'll be inviting in people you don't really know. If you are still living in the house and you have some valuable possessions, you need to take stock of what you have and think of your safety and security. It is better to be safe and take security measures than deal with bad consequences later.
Hide all small and expensive items like jewelry, watches and cash deep in closets, or even inside a safe.Do not put anything of value in the drawers because some people might look into them when you're not looking.
Plan ahead and be certain that you are ready to sell before you open your doors. Once you open the doors, the buyers will come, and there is no turning back.
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