Open houses are great for both the seller and the agent. They give sellers a chance to find buyers and generate future business opportunities for agents, like yourself. However, there are also some Open House no-nos that can torpedo your Sunday. Nobody wants to be that agent, and no one has to be. Let us guide you through exactly what not to do. Here are 7 common rookie open house mistakes.
Not advertising
How can you expect people to attend your open house if they can’t find it? Advertise your open house with around 10-12 directional signs or a-frames (or if you’re feeling ambitious go for 20). Placing a sign at an intersection nearby will increase visibility and guide excited buyers straight to the home. Make sure the front of the home is well-maintained with good curb appeal so it doesn’t scare off your potential buyers. And don’t forget to add the open house times online — this is such an important step. Wherever, you have the home listed (MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.) there is most definitely a place to mark it open.
Failing to stage
Never underestimate the power of staging. It helps the buyer envision the property as their own. Leaving a home vacant will draw the buyer’s eyes to every single flaw — cracks, scuffed up floors, and dirty walls. On the other hand, too much furniture can be overwhelming and make it difficult for the buyer to imagine themselves living there. Consider hiring a professional to stage the home so its best features are emphasized and its weak points are minimized.
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Too hot, too cold
No buyer wants to walk into an open house that’s too hot or too cold. Keep the home comfortable by adjusting the temperature to fit the season. Have the seller set the thermostat a little lower in summer and a little higher in winter. This may cost the seller a few extra dollars, but will totally be worth it once they make a sale!
No music
There’s a reason music is usually playing when you walk into a store. It creates a nice atmosphere for shoppers and puts them in a good mood. The same goes for your open house. Playing coffee shop music (at a comfortable volume) in the background can put a buyer at ease and mask the sounds of other buyers’ voices.
Questionable smells
No one wants to walk into a home and get a whiff of “Ew, what is that?” If you notice the home you’re showing needs some freshening up, open some windows, plug in an air freshener, check the basement for bodies, and even bake a sheet of cookies. Don’t overwhelm the buyers with ultra-strong scents, though — that’s a quick way to get a headache.
Keeping the pets home
Regardless of how well a seller’s pets behave, never keep them at an open house. They can distract buyers and even make them nervous if they get rowdy. Keep in mind some buyers are allergic and most likely won’t notice the home’s best features if they’re sneezing. Have the seller make arrangements for their pets for the day and put away all pet toys and bedding.
Leaving them in the dark
Keep it bright and cheery! A common rookie mistake is forgetting to turn on the lights or leaving the curtains closed. You want to highlight the home’s best features, right? So flip that switch on and pull back those curtains! The buyer shouldn’t be required to know where the light switches are and won’t be very impressed by a dark home.
A little preparation in advance will help you avoid these rookie mistakes and will pay off for both you and the seller.