Cindy Hamann
Cindy Hamann
Most open houses are held to attract potential buyers. However, when your home is open to the public, anyone can stop by for a peek - even casual observers looking for decorating ideas. Your Realtor can help you decide if an open house is right for you and can walk you through the process.
Why hold an open house? It's an opportunity for you to market your home directly to potential buyers. Visitors can take their time walking from room to room and ask questions. This allows buyers to see the inside of the home in a way that you just can't get from photos or videos online. Hosting an open house is also a good opportunity for you to collect feedback about your home.
You can count on at least a few of the attendees to offer candid comments. Your Realtor can collect the information during the open house and share it with you afterward. You may even decide to make minor improvements or highlight amenities based on visitors' input.
An open house is very easy to host as long as you do the prep work. Your Realtor will recommend a day and time to host the event. Most public open houses are held for a few hours on weekend afternoons, but they may suggest hosting one mid-week so buyers can observe the area's school or rush-hour traffic patterns. Mid-week open houses are also a time to allow other Realtors to tour the home and determine if they may have a potential buyer.
An open house requires more marketing than just putting a sign in the front yard. Your Realtor's marketing plan may include advertising the open house in the classified section of the newspaper, on their website or other online media, and directional signage in the neighborhood.
It's important to help your home look its best before holding an open house. It requires a few steps:
Create curb appeal - The more appealing a property looks from the outside, the greater chance a potential buyer will choose to drop in.
Clean - First, put away anything that will distract buyers from the property, such as personal photos and other knick knacks. Second, scrub the house from top to bottom. Nothing is less appealing than a dirty home.
Freshen up - A little paint goes a long way to brighten a room. If you do paint, choose neutral colors. They are much more appealing to buyers.
Eliminate odors - Pets and cigarettes are the big ones. To alleviate the smells, deodorize upholstery and carpets.
Perform minor repairs - If you can fix it easily, do it. Check for squeaky doors, leaky faucets, faulty lights, etc. If you have repairs that require more work, talk to your Realtor to see if a repair is worth the cost.
Keep yourself and your belongings safe - Secure all your valuables, prescription medications and personal items before the open house.
Don't be surprised if your Realtor recommends that you be out of the house during the open house. While it may be tempting to stay, some buyers feel uncomfortable with you there while they open bedroom closets and kitchen drawers. Your Realtor will work on your behalf to field questions and point out the home's assets.
Talk to your Realtor to determine whether an open house should be part of their plan to market your home. In the meantime, visit HAR.com for information about real estate all across Texas.
Cindy Hamann, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties, is 2017 chair of the Houston Association of Realtors/HAR.com.
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Realtor-view-Open-house-provides-chance-to-12460102.php