With so much real estate now listed almost exclusively online, the need for open houses may seem to be waning. The truth is, open houses offer potential buyers the chance to physically interact with the home in a way virtual showings cannot, and this time-tested tradition might just be what the hesitant buyer needs to nudge them towards a sale. Below you’ll find some tips on how to hold a successful open house and a few things to keep in mind as you plan your own with your agent.
Make Your Home Show-Worthy
A dirty, unkempt house with unidentifiable odors is not a house people want to spend much time in. Make sure everything is clean, smells fresh, and that the house is organized inside and out. Be sure to have the lawn in tip-top shape as well, with hedges trimmed and grass freshly mowed.
Introduce the Community
Send out invitations around your neighborhood and you’ll not only see a great increase in attendance, but you’ll also be giving potential buyers a chance to experience your community firsthand. Prominently display brochures and handouts that contain information on local attractions and schools, and consider offering a local treat — like cookies from the bakery downtown, for guests to enjoy.
Do Something Memorable
Open houses that offer more than just a walk-through give agents and homeowners a chance to showcase the home’s individual assets and character in a more memorable way. If you’re showing a sophisticated urban loft, for instance, consider an open house that includes champagne or live music. If you want to highlight your home’s suburban-family feel, set up an outdoor movie and play-area for kids and hand out popcorn.
Work With Your Realtor
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to have a successful open house is to get a good realtor and keep an open line of communication with him or her so that you two can plan the best open house possible. Listen to your realtor’s suggestions and consider what they have to say about the market, neighborhood, and trends in buyer preferences.
Open houses offer potential buyers the opportunity to see for themselves the condition and charm of a home and its surroundings. Often times, it’s this moment in which a buyer begins to fully imagine themselves living in a home, and so an open house is your best chance to show them that your home is everything they’ve been looking for and more.
Are you in the market for an incredible Nashville Home? We’re here to help! Give us a call at DeSelms Real Estate 615.550.5565.