A Homeowner’s Guide To An Open-House

If you’ve decided to sell your house, then no doubt you’ll want to hold an open house inspection. It’s a chance for prospective buyers to view your property and decide if it’s for them. It’s also a great opportunity to present your house in a way that will command the best price and maximise interest in your property.

There are many things you can do to create the best possible first impression for those viewing your house. Read on to learn top tips for a successful open-house inspection.

Conduct necessary repairs

Now is the time to take care of any obvious repairs. Maybe it’s a small hole in a wall, a stain on the carpet, a broken tile, or peeling paint. When first impressions count, it’s a good idea to make sure all obvious detractors are taken care of. You don’t necessarily need to repaint your entire home or undertake a huge renovation, but making small updates and removing eyesores ensures that the experience of your attendees is overwhelmingly positive.

Clean everything

It sounds obvious, but when hosting an open inspection you want your home to be clean and tidy. Sometimes it’s easier to hire professionals to do this, especially as moving house can often be a frantic time in itself.

It’s important to pay attention to those areas which are most visible and will have the most impact on those who are viewing your property. As well as ensuring a high level of general cleanliness, also pay particular attention to windows, walls and your bathroom. Smudged or dirty windows quickly take the shine off an otherwise clean home, clean walls make the house feel fresh and warm, and bathrooms will always be inspected carefully. Don’t leave it to the last minute either – it’s better to finish well in advance, and then do a walkthrough a few days later to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.

Arrange furniture

You might think your furniture is great, and that your house is perfectly decorated. It might be, but in many cases it will actually work in your favour to remove some of your furniture in order to make your home feel more spacious. You should also remove all sentimental objects and photographs, because while they make your home feel special to you, what you are really trying to do is create a space in which others can imagine living. In some cases it can help to consult a home stylist, as they will be able to provide advice that will help to capture the attention of prospective buyers.

Have an online presence

Leading up to inspection day, it pays to have some online presence. A good agent will no doubt list your property on popular websites to help generate interest in the property. High quality photographs are essential for this, as they will convey the best possible image of your house. Talk to your agent about where your home is being advertised to ensure you’re getting maximum visibility, and if selling yourself make sure you have done your research and are utilising all options available to you.

Eradicate any smells

Open up all windows and make sure that every room is properly ventilated. This can be difficult if the outside air is unclean or smells. This can also be difficult if you are a smoker, or have pets. The idea is to leave the house smelling as neutral as possible. If there is a need to use air freshener use neutral scents, possibly vanilla, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Ideally your house will have no scent at all, to give off a fresh, clean vibe.

Don’t be there

It’s a good idea not to be present on an inspection day. You want to be as unobtrusive as possible, as it will help potential homeowners to feel more relaxed as they evaluate the property. Don’t leave any pets behind either – you never know who’s allergic to them, or how your pets will react to strangers.

Make sure the lighting is perfect

You want your home to be as illuminated as possible, as it’ll not only add value to your home, but will also make it feel brighter, bigger, warmer and happier. Open all curtains and let the sun in – and make sure the windows are clean! If the inspection is on later in the day, turn on as many lights as possible.

Secure your valuables

As your house will be open to the public, make sure you don’t leave any valuables lying around. This includes any jewellery, ornaments and money. Just in case.