Hosting an open house can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be.
Open houses are an effective way to sell your house quickly and at a competitive price point. Read on to find out how you can prepare to host your best possible open house.
1. Repair, Clean, and Stage Your Home
To get your home tour-ready, you need to make it sparkle. There’s no need to undergo major renovations, but everything should be in working order. Tasks like patching up holes in the walls, replacing leaky faucets, and buffing out scuffs in the baseboards can go a long way. Buyers love to see that the home has been maintained during your time there.
After basic repairs are completed, it’s time to clean and stage your home. Nothing will turn off a potential buyer more than a dirty and cluttered environment. Start by decluttering and depersonalizing each room. HGTV recommends eliminating half of your belongings before an open house. You can rent a storage unit or a portable pod, or see if a friend has some extra space to temporarily house your things.
Next, it’s time to clean all the surfaces, nooks, and crannies of your home. Clean the floors, wipe down countertops, dust the blinds, shine the windows, vacuum, do the dishes, make your bed, and anything else that buyers will notice. Cleaning should be a top priority when you’re putting your home on the market.
2. Highlight Your Home’s Best Features
When hosting an open house, take the time to showcase the best assets of your home. This will help you have a competitive edge in the market. Here are some common features that tend to appeal to buyers:
- Hardwood flooring
- A large pantry
- Any nice upgrades
- A double oven
- Walk-in closets
- Decks and patios
- Beautiful landscaping
- Outdoor amenities such as a basketball court, playground, or pool
- Air and heating units
- Spacious laundry rooms
In addition to your home, you can also highlight the best features of your neighborhood and city. Is it family-friendly? What kind of restaurants are nearby? What school boundary are you in? You can add this information to your home’s online profile to appeal to buyers.
3. Spread the Word
Marketing is the key to a successful open house. It’s important to spread the word to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Here are a few ways you can do this:
- Post the listing online (Zillow, Trulia, The Multiple Listing Service, Nextdoor, etc.)
- Share the listing on social media
- Create a Facebook event
- Utilize hashtags
- Share photos that highlight the focal points of the home
- Put up physical signage that directs people to your home
Sell Your House Quickly With East West Properties
Hosting an open house requires a few necessary steps. If you’re looking to sell your home in Missouri in a pinch, East West Properties is here for you. We buy houses in Kansas City, Missouri, and would love to work with you regardless of price or condition. Contact us to get your fair, all-cash offer today!