What is an Open House? 7 Tips for Home Sellers

Are you planning on having an open house? There are many things to know before having an open house; make sure you know these seven essential tips as a home seller. 

When selling your home, an open house is one of the most critical parts of the process. It can also be one of the most overwhelming, as there are many things to do to prepare before you open your house to the public. 

In real estate, an open house is an event where prospective buyers can tour a home that is listed for sale. These are typically held on weekends when buyers don't have work and have more time to tour the home. Open houses are usually held by the listing agent, but they can be held by the sellers themselves if they prefer not to work with an agent. 

The home buying and selling process can be challenging to navigate, and there are many common mistakes. Start the process off right by following these seven essential tips when hosting an open house. 

Keep reading to learn about an open house and the seven best tips. 

1. Make your Home Tour Ready

While preparing for an open house, the number one thing you need to do is make your home tour ready. This means several things, from decluttering to baking cookies. Buyers want a house that looks clean and organized on the outside and the inside. Buyers also want to see what it's like to live in the house themselves, not see someone else's personal items all over. 

Here are some things you should focus on while making your home tour ready for an open house.

Declutter

Decluttering should be your number one priority before an open house. It is imperative to make your home presentable. Eliminating your belongings around the house will give you the upper hand in a competitive seller's market. Eager buyers are looking for a home that will suit their lifestyle and preferences; they want a clean and organized home. 

Bake Cookies

Baking cookies may seem silly or unneeded, but it can make your house stand out. The main reason is that it'll make your house smell delicious; no one wants to buy a home that doesn't smell good. Baking will not only make your room smell good, but it will also give the people touring something to do and make them stay longer.

Make Necessary Repairs

If any small repairs need to be made, make sure they are done ahead of time. Buyers are specifically looking for problems; make sure there aren't any broken handles, drawers, or any other minor problems that would add to the buyer's list of expenses. This can also mean adding improvements that add value for resale. 

Deep Clean

Finally, probably the most obvious way to prepare for an open house is to clean. Make sure every surface is shining, from ceiling fans to baseboards. As small as it may be, you won't want to give possible buyers any reason not to close on your house. This can also mean rearranging furniture to make rooms appear more prominent or decluttering drawers and closets.

2. Let Your Agent Do Their Thing

While selling your house, one of the most important things to do is pick a reliable real estate agent. They will help you in many ways, like having experience, understanding the local market, and more.

It's key to trust your realtor and let them do their thing. If you relinquish your control to your agent, they will be able to show off your home in the best light and give you the best chance of selling. 

Of course, you can host an open house on your own, but working with real estate agents will take a lot of pressure off you, and in the end, you'll be happy to give them the control to do what they do best. 

3. Pick The Best Time

Strategically picking your day and time may be the key to a successful open house. The time and day will attract potential buyers and allow you to sell your home quickly. Typically, open houses are on Sundays when most people are off work, and the morning or afternoon is best. Saturdays are the second-best days to host an open house.

The best season to sell a home is in the spring, which is a perfect time of year to hold an open house. This way, buyers can comfortably walk around inside and outside of your home before deciding whether or not to buy it. 

 Picking a specific day is crucial as well. The first Sunday after your home is listed is usually recommended, as most of this will generate excitement around your home. This way, you can advertise the house as coming soon, and potential buyers will jump at this as the first chance to view the home.  

4. Market Your House

Marketing your home will be extremely important, so tell your friends, neighbors, and family to come. Your target audience isn't limited to potential buyers; inviting people you know to recommend your house to their friends and family is always a great start.

Neighbors might enjoy attending because they want to see the inside of the house near them, and if they love it, they will point it out to potential buyers. You can do this by simply asking them to attend and posting flyers throughout the neighborhood or around town. 

You can even throw an open house block party; this will attract a lot of extra attention. If there are similar properties around the neighborhood, try contacting that listing agent to see if you can coordinate and host your open houses on the same day.

Buyers will probably look through many houses before they find the one, making your home even more memorable. Promoting the event as an open house block party will create awareness and interest in your house. 

5. Put Your Valuables Away

As you deep clean the house, make sure to put anything valuable stored away somewhere safe. Remember that anyone can come into an open house. Although we like to believe that it'll only be potential buyers, open houses can sometimes attract criminals who want to find valuables from the home. You can prevent this by ensuring nothing of substantial or personal value is still in the house.

Another reason is to help the potential buyers. Buyers will want to be able to visualize themselves living in the house, which can be hard when family pictures are around the house. They should see the house as a clean, blank canvas that they can personalize after buying it. 

Pay attention to the small details, the photos on the wall or fridge. This can also be a safety concern as anyone is allowed to enter, and you might not want pictures of your small children on the walls. 

6. Draw Attention to Your Home's Best Features

On top of cleaning and depersonalizing, you still need to keep furniture and other home items in the house. This means staging the house in a way that draws attention to your home's best features. 

Ensure that each room has the appropriate furniture size and placement. This means making sure it doesn't look cluttered and getting rid of out-of-place furniture to make the room seem unwelcoming. This doesn't mean spending a lot of extra money on replacing furniture; you can rearrange your furniture to create a better look. 

Again, this will help potential buyers be able to visualize better themselves living there and help you sell it faster. You want to create a spacious and welcoming atmosphere throughout the whole house. Try to maximize the home's square footage, create a room that is well-balanced, and lightly decorate to brighten each room. 

Staging statistics suggest that this won't just benefit the buyer but can significantly decrease your home's time on the market and increase the price you sell your home for. 

7. Increase your Curb Appeal

Finally, as one of the most overlooked tips for an open house, don't forget about the outside of your home. It can be easy to become so focused on the inside of the house that you forget about the outside. The first impression is crucial and starts as soon as potential buyers approach the house. 

None of these tasks should be too overwhelming or costly. Minor adjustments can go a long way, and you'll be glad you put in the extra time and effort to boost curb appeal. 

A well-maintained lawn will make the whole house look much better. An uncared-for yard is a red flag for many buyers. Take a look at some of the main ways to upgrade your curb appeal and sell your home faster. 

Focus on Your Front Porch

Attractive front porches will attract potential buyers more than you think. Many look for a spacious patio where they can relax with their friends or family at the end of the day. Consider adding an outdoor sofa or table to make it look like a livable space. In addition, you can repaint the front door or add a welcome mat. 

Take Care of the Lawn

The lawn will be one of the first things a potential buyer sees, and an unkept lawn will not help you sell your home. You don't have to go overboard. Just try to create a healthy and clean property to increase your chances of selling. 

Clean Up the Walkway

The walkway leading to the door should be a priority; clean up any weeds or grass growing onto the walkway. You could even plant shrubs or flowers along the walkway. Shrubs will be easy because they can live year-round and add value to the outside. 

FAQ: What is an Open House

Here are some commonly asked questions about open houses and what to do when having one.

How should I prepare for an open house?

First, make sure you declutter and store your personal items in a safe place. You may even want to hire a professional cleaning crew to come in, and don't forget about the outside of the home. 

How do you stand out at an open house?

If you're going into an open house, take notice of the listing agent and even introduce yourself. This way, if multiple competing offers come in on the house, the listing agent is more likely to remember you.

What draws people to an open house?

One main thing that draws people in is food. Not only will this bring in more people, but it will make the home smell good, and people will most likely stay longer.  

What are the best hours for an open house?

The best time is typically in the mid-morning to early afternoon, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If these times don't work, the early evening is good as well, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

What do you hand out at an open house?

Many listing agents hand out small souvenirs like pens, cups, koozies, or dish towels. This will make your home more memorable as these are useful items that people use often. 

What is an Open House - The Bottom Line

Regardless of if you are hosting an open house or attending one, understanding what an open house is is crucial. There are many important factors that come into play that most people don't think about, whether you're a first-time home buyer or an experienced real estate mogul. 

Selling a house fast requires preparation and attention to detail. You will need to have everything in your home ready and agents. On the other hand, if you are attending an open house, it's a good idea to look out for these important tips and learn about the pros and cons of an open house from the seller.

If you're considering moving to a new state, there are many things to think about before and after buying your new home. Raleigh, NC, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and has many beautiful homes for sale; you'll have to act fast if you want to buy your dream home in one of Raleigh's best neighborhoods. 

As you buy your next home in the Triangle, feel free to contact one of our helpful Real Estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that buying a new home can be stressful and overwhelming, so make sure you are prepared beforehand.