1. Make sure your house is spotless clean, clean and
more clean. Hire a cleaning service if necessary.
2. Mow your lawn (or clean snow of walkways) and
straighten up your yard. Be sure toys and yard
equipment are stored and concealed as well as
possible.
3. Serve goodies, like cookies or sweet rolls, coffee and
and soft drinks. Use disposable paper products and
make sure the kitchen is kept spotless.
4. Lock up your valuables like jewelry, money, personal
information etc.
Whether it's you having the open house or your
Real Estate Agent, it'simpossible to watch everyone
at all times.
5. Turn on all the lights, even in the daytime, this adds
sparkle to the rooms.
6. Always temporarily place your pets with a friend or
neighbor. Remove or hide as many items related
to your pets. Not everyone is pet friendly.
7. Have your agent hold the open house, unless you are
with a discount broker. Do not be present at the open
house. It's awkward for prospective buyers to express
their real opinion of your home. If you are holding the
open house yourself, be helpful but let buyers look
around on their own so they don't feel self conscious
about talking to each other other and looking in
closets, etc.
8. Put fresh flowers in main rooms to add punch of color.
9. Get rid of anything dingy. (Look at your home trough
buyers eyes). Add fresh towels, a new shower curtain if
necessary and designer soaps in every bath bath.
Think "Model Home."
10. Arrange a pleasant table setting with dishes, candles
and a centerpiece of flowers or some other
decorative piece.
11. Buy a nice welcoming doormat.
12. Create a sense of spaciousness in every room by
removing any unnecessary furniture.
13. Create a fire in the fireplace (if it's cold outside).
14. Depersonalize and de-clutter the rooms by putting
away family photos, mementos, knick knacks and
personal artwork.
15. Turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes prior to start of
open house to make lawn look shiny and rich in color.
Email me with any questions: george@georgemagdanz.com