Apartment Living: Finding the Right Place to Call Home

The open house can be an exciting time for a home owner. After you list your home for sale, it is sometimes the first time a home owner sees others going through their house and considering its merits. Your real estate agent may plan a lot of the open house for you, but you can share your input and preferences. Be sure to follow these do's and don'ts for helping home buyers feel comfortable at the event.

Do Get Rid of Clutter

When potential home buyers attend an open house, what they really hope to do is imagine themselves as the future residents of the home. If you have a lot of clutter and personal things all over the house, that can easily prevent home buyers from being able to envision themselves as the new owners. For example, if an animal rights advocate attends the open house but sees hunting memorabilia on the wall, they may not be able to see themselves in such a home. All clutter is best moved to the garage or professional storage facility until you've sold your home.

Don't Skimp on the Refreshments

When home buyers are attending a lot of open houses, they are likely to often receive a variety of refreshments at different open houses. It's best to talk to your real estate agent about what the norm is for your area and what the buyers may be expecting. In general, it's best to have more prepared than you need, and variety is often appealing. You may include fruit and hummus but also have chips and other treats. Balance healthy fare with fun snacks for those who may want to indulge.

Do Greet Home Buyers

As long as your real estate agent thinks it's a good idea, make yourself available to home buyers at the open house. Greet them personally and introduce yourself as the home owner. Being friendly doesn't mean that you have to answer any questions you don't want to answer. Plan a canned but cheerful response for any uncomfortable or nosy questions.

Finally, keep in mind that potential home buyers who attend the event are hoping that they like what they see as much as you are hoping that they find your house appealing. When you take the time to create a happy environment for the open house and greet them in a warm and friendly manner, you are setting the tone for a successful open house. Talk to your real estate agent about any questions or concerns you have about the open house before it starts.

For assistance, talk to a professional like MLS to Sell.