The real estate market has changed dramatically in the internet era. As we continue to make technological advancements, we also continue to change the way we shop in every industry. Shopping for homes has become more of a passive activity that can be achieved while sitting in pajamas or sipping coffee from a bistro. Your online presence makes a huge impact on how your house is presented and sold.
You may be asking yourself, “do I even need to hold an open house?” The short answer is yes. When home buyers view hundreds of houses online, they tend to blend mentally. The home layouts can seem similar, and while shoppers can get a feel for the home’s aesthetic, they cannot always get a good grasp on the actual layout of the building. Another benefit of holding an open house is to generate foot traffic and word of mouth. Even though every single person who comes through your home may not be interested in purchasing the property, they may tell a friend or neighbor about your house based on its location and amenities. Here are a few open house tips for sellers to make sure your open house goes smoothly and effectively.
1. Prep and clean the house
One of the first things that you should do with your listing agent is to determine if there are any repairs needed in your home. A potential buyer will notice any flaws instantly and will use them as ammunition to skip over your house or offer you less money than your home is worth. It is also a very good idea to do an in-depth cleaning of your home before having an open house. Eager shoppers will not be forgiving, even when flaws seem small. Take the time to clean the house, mow your lawn, declutter all rooms, including the garage, and depersonalize the home by removing family photos and collectibles. No buyer wants to walk through an open house with a sink full of dirty dishes and unmade beds. Don’t forget to put out clean towels and restock toilet paper, hand soap, and sanitizer in each bathroom.
2. Set the stage
Once you have decluttered and cleaned the house, it will be time to stage. Staging your home means dressing it up in its best light so home buyers can visualize themselves living there instead of viewing you and your family’s life on display. Setting the stage properly allows you to set a mood for potential buyers who are not simply looking for a building to buy but their “forever home.” Staging allows you to play to the emotions of the buyers, manipulating them to envision themselves in your home, resulting in a purchase.
3. Pick a strategic date and time
Next, you and your listing agent will need to decide the best time to hold your open house. The main purpose of an open house is to garner as much foot traffic as possible. Hold your open house on the weekend instead of in the middle of the work week. More people are available on Saturdays and Sundays. You also need to take into account how people will be available around holiday events. Any holiday that falls on a Monday or Friday, giving workers a three-day weekend, allows for a great opportunity to throw your open house.
4. Advertise mindfully
People cannot tour your home if they do not know you are having an open house. Your advertising should start locally, as close as your front yard, but this should only be your starting place. Use social media to get the word out. Sites like Facebook and Instagram are extremely helpful for spreading information quickly, especially when using well-thought-out hashtags. You and your realtor can also discuss whether you would like to advertise on real estate databases and whether or not you would like to create a three-dimensional virtual tour of your home.
5. Pictures speak loudly
Your advertising needs to feature high-quality professional photography. Gorgeous photographs will lure buyers to your home simply because they want to see it in person. What are the best features of your home? Make sure to show those features off to their highest potential. Don’t forget the exterior. Spanish Fort homes for sale are often framed by beautiful and lush outdoor properties. Remember, the things you love about your property are likely going to be the things that the next buyer loves too. Make sure to show those features off in your photographs.
6. Let your listing agent take over
Now that your house is ready to be shown, you need to let your realtor take over. As buyers walk through your home, they are trying to form an honest opinion so that they can decide whether or not to spend money and build a future in this new house. Having the seller hovering in a corner can create a feeling of tension that is uncomfortable for buyers. You can discuss with your realtor if you would like them to provide refreshments, hand out brochures, or use a sign-in application but allow your agent to be the only person on site. You, your family, and your pets need to find another place to be for the duration of the open house.
7. Follow through
Your real estate agent will follow up with everyone who comes to your open house either with a phone call or an email. Typically, they will ask for feedback on the house, even if the person is not interested in buying. This feedback can be extremely valuable and help in making adjustments in the staging or advertising. Remember to be flexible, as this feedback comes from potential buyers. You do not necessarily have to take all of the feedback to heart, but do remember that everyone else is seeing your house with fresher eyes than you.
A quality takeaway
Your real estate agent needs to be someone who can discern the difference between idle feedback and constructive criticism and will guide you in making private appointments after your open house. Your realtor should understand the community around your home and the people who will be coming on your house tours. They should understand how to set the scene properly and will be able to answer any questions that potential buyers may pose while touring the property, not only about the building itself but about the surrounding community and things to do in Spanish Fort. You need an agent that you can trust. You need Bo Nichols. Contact him today.
