Tips For A Great Real Estate Open House!

These are the Top Ten ways you can help make your next real estate open house an unqualified success:

1. Pick the right date: When you plan your Open House day, make sure to check that calendar so you don’t have it conflict with a holiday such as Mother’s Day or a special event, like Super Bowl Sunday. Doing so might put a damper on turnout.

2. De-clutter: Get rid of clutter around the house, especially in notorious trouble spots like closets and basements. Donate old clothes that don’t fit to charity and hold a garage sale prior to your real estate open house – you’ll probably end up having one before you move anyway, so why not now?

3. Create some major space. Consider moving a few larger items of furniture offsite temporarily -- maybe to your in-laws’ place, a friend’s or to the cottage. Remember, when it comes to a good showing ... less is more. You want to create a spacious feel and easy flow of traffic for visitors.

4. Clean and clean again. Make sure everything in your home is cleaned, polished, and dusted. A home that looks well kept will create a favorable impression. And don’t forget to open the windows for some clean air too!

5. Lighten up! For walls and woodwork, nothing says cared-for like a fresh coat of paint. Choose a neutral, light colour to further add to the illusion of spaciousness. Pull back the drapes, open the blinds and let there be light for your real estate open house!

6. Create curb appeal. Along with the interior, make sure the outside looks properly maintained too. Mow the lawn or shovel the sidewalk as the season requires, sweep the steps and clean the front doors and windows.

7. Promote with the Pros. Your real estate agent will create a promotion plan using various marketing techniques. Whether it’s special signage, direct mail, print advertising, e-marketing or website promotion, it takes a full range of tactics to properly promote your event.

8. Ask the expert. Your Realtor can also counsel you further on how to present your home to its best advantage. Leaving on the lights, a fire burning in the fireplace, soft background music playing and coffee brewing all add ambience and make a welcoming impression.

9. Spread the word. Tell your friends and neighbours. Promote your open house while you’re out and about! Community centers like the grocery store, library or skating rink are great spots for you to put up Open House flyers that your real estate agent will prepare in advance of your real estate open house.

10. Get out and stay out! You’ll get better results when your visitors feel free to poke about, linger, and ask very direct questions of your real estate agent. If you’re present, they may feel more constrained. So pack up the dog and the kids, and enjoy your day away... trust your real estate professional to do the job right. After all, they’re the experts!