How to Improve Your Open House in Philadelphia
Open houses may be a traditional form of real estate, but if you plan to sell your house fast, that’s your solution. Prospective homebuyers interested in touring a house can do so quickly. As a cash home buyer, I believe “it minimizes the preparation time for both sellers and agents, and is time-saving for the buyers, too.”
When it comes to homebuyers in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love itself is the biggest selling point. But the real question is, “How do you turn views into offers?”
1. Clean the Property Thoroughly
Trust me, Jon, Jon’s dog, and everyone else who says that you must ensure that the open house offers a clean property. Jon emphasizes that “one shouldn’t assume that new buyers will clean the house after purchasing it.”
Make sure your sellers have the house ready for all types of visitors (including those who will do a thorough inspection of the gutters before making an offer!).
Some of the most important things to do to prepare your open house and stage the property for a sale include:
- Clearing the driveway of bins and rubbish.
- Pruning outdoor shrubbery – particularly at the front of the property.
- Mowing the lawn.
- Pressure washing the driveway or patio area.
- Removing cars from the driveway.
- Cleaning the interior, including the kitchen, floors, carpets, furniture, and windows.
2. Focus on the Lights
Getting more creative with your lighting is very important if you want your open house to succeed (with multiple interested buyers). Lighting can significantly affect the ambiance.
Certain areas in your open house will have natural light, but others may need additional lighting fixtures. You’d be surprised how much adding a lamp can change the feel of a room!
If the ceiling light doesn’t provide the best ambiance, consider bringing a lamp into the room and having it turned on during viewings, rather than the big overhead light. This is tried and tested with potential homebuyers at open houses.
Don’t forget to open all the blinds and curtains of the house, too. This makes the house look brighter and more attractive. It also accentuates natural light in the home, which is a desirable feature for buyers that can even add value to a property, especially in rentals (according to Off the Mrkt).
3. Make Buyers Feel Relaxed & At Home
The interactions you have with your open house visitors are crucial. Regardless of how spectacular the house is, if they get a bad feeling about the seller or you as the real estate agent, they may be scared off!
You could:
- Ask them what interests them and suggest valid reasons why your house would be a good choice.
- Appear approachable and friendly so viewers feel comfortable enough to spend extra time viewing the house.
Summary
Open houses can be the deciding factor in whether someone actually buys your home. When someone walks through the door and truly experiences a house, it can help them have that gut feeling. And a gut feeling is what inspires a buyer to put down a deposit.
