Opening your home to prospective buyers is at once exciting and nerve-wracking. You’re that much closer to selling your home, but a lot is riding on this day. When done right, an open house shows off your property’s best attributes, drums up excitement, and maybe even leads to a sale.
Making the best first impression to prospective buyers and real estate agents on the guest list is essential to these goals. It may even help your home sell for more. A survey from the National Association of Realtors reports 22 percent of sellers increased their value by 1–5 percent through staging.
But how can you ensure your house is open-house ready? Here are some things to keep in mind:
Stage Your Home Well
Staging is a sales technique that decorates your home in a way that makes it easy for prospective buyers to see themselves living there. It includes paring down your belongings until only the best pieces remain, so each room has a clear design free from too many personal effects.
To stage your home effectively, you’ll want to declutter. Nobody wants to fall under an avalanche of stuff when they open your closet, nor should they have to tiptoe around too much furniture. Pare down your belongings and get rid of bulky furniture.
Next, you’ll want to ensure the furniture you keep in these spaces are beautiful, well-designed pieces that fit the space. Handcrafted, solid wood furniture is a great choice for any room, as it creates a stylish yet timeless statement. What’s more, you’ll be able to take these pieces when you move, so you have new wood furniture for your home after you sell.
Clean a Little Every Day
What solid wood furniture you do invest in, make sure it gleams. Check out this guide for simple care instructions and keep up with it. By doing a little every day, you won’t have to furiously clean your home last-minute in a panic.
A clean home sells better; people won’t have to ignore cobwebs, dust bunnies, and grime when they imagine living there. The same goes for outside, too. Make sure you trim the grass and clean the gutters before people arrive.
Create a Welcoming Space
Small touches can have a surprisingly big impact on how visitors see your home. On the big day, open the blinds and turn on all your lights. Lamps enhance your home’s natural lighting, making it brighter and more open during the day.
Light scented candles in an inviting aroma — some popular ones are sugar cookies or baking bread — and leave out refreshments in the kitchen; this encourages people to linger in your home.
Another great idea is to create “living moments” in your rooms. A gorgeous setting on a solid wood dining table in your best china demonstrates how buyers could entertain in the dining room. If the season allows it, a roaring fireplace in the living room creates a cozy space for the family.
Bottom Line
Come the big day, people from all over will enter your home — from neighbours and nosy browsers to potential buyers and real estate agents. Making the best first impression will help turn these visitors into buyers, so don’t skip this step. Prepare your home before you open your doors!
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