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20
Your Guide to Open House Prep
If you're planning to sell your home, hosting an open house may attract interested buyers, but it may also be a stressful event for you. Our real estate agents can help with tips on getting organized and prepared for the big day, so you can reap maximum rewards for your efforts.
Buyers looking for Augusta homes for sale will come to your open house with high expectations. These days, homebuyers expect to see homes with clean, organized spaces, stylish furnishings, interior upgrades, and inviting outdoor areas. Here's how to set yourself up for success.
Clean and Declutter
Once you decide to hold an open house, the first step is cleaning and decluttering. The entire house will need to be deep cleaned from top to bottom:
- Sweep, vacuum, mop, and polish floors and carpets
- Wash dishes and put them away in cabinets
- Clean up spills on floors and countertops
- Dust furniture, blinds, and curtains
- Remove stains on carpets and upholstery
- Wash mirrors and windows
After you finish cleaning, it's time to declutter. Although household items may be essentials for you, potential homebuyers may see them as clutter. Gather some boxes and fill them with unused clothes, extra household items, and cleaning supplies, then store the boxes in the garage or a rental storage unit until the open house is over.
Remove Personal Items and Heirlooms
Displaying personal items such as family photos, personal knickknacks, and monogrammed items can distract buyers. It's common for homebuyers to look at personal items in a home to identify who lives there, but some people form strong opinions or judgments that may impact the sale. Before your open house, remove personalized items that can be distracting, as well as valuable family heirlooms that can be stolen.
Freshen Up Paint
If you've lived in your home for a while, your home's interior and exterior may need new paint. Check interior walls, doors, and cabinets for fingerprints, scuff marks, dents, and holes. Invest in a can or two of spackling paste and touch-up paint and fix the damages. To add curb appeal, clean out your gutters, paint exterior trim, give your front door an eye-popping new color, buy a new welcome mat, and replace old, faded house numbers.
Evaluate Your Furnishings
Although it's impossible to anticipate a buyer's style, you can evaluate your own to make sure it's not outdated or too over-the-top. Over-sized furniture, outdated window treatments, ornate accessories, and worn upholstery will not appeal to most homebuyers. Items that look like they don't belong in the house will disconnect buyers because they can't see themselves living in the home.
Don't Forget the Yard
In today's market, buyers pay close attention to outdoor spaces. They're looking for well-maintained yards with inviting areas to spend time outdoors. Before your open house, plan to mow the grass, trim the hedges, get rid of weeds and debris, and plant seasonal flowers for lovely pops of color.
Optimize Your Date
Avoid planning an open house during holidays and major sports events when people are preoccupied. Your real estate agent will likely take charge of marketing your open house with flyers, neighbor signs, and local multiple listing services that attract buyers.
If you're thinking about selling your home in the Augusta area, contact us for more information on planning a successful open house that will attract homebuyers.