Looking to list your home on the market in the near future? Unless your home is highly sought after, an open house is likely in your cards. And like many of us, your home may need some “tidying up” before letting others in to peruse.
Here at The Russell Company, we’ve got you covered with some helpful tips to get your home in tip top shape for your open house!
Neutralize the odors
Let’s be real, with kids and pets trudging through, unpleasant odors can pop up. Here’s a couple tricks for freshening up your home – grind up a slice of lemon in your garbage disposal and let it do its magic. Or perhaps you could go the traditional route and light a candle or two, put out some fresh flower, or plug in a couple wall air fresheners. Your home will smell delightful in no time!
Freshen your linens
If you’re not already in the habit of doing this, fluff your pillows, straighten the bedspreads, and clean the curtains. This will make your home look more put together and tidy.
Brighten the place
Nobody wants to walk into a dim and dreary home. Open the shades and let the natural light in! If it’s a nice day, crack the window open to let a breeze come through to freshen the air. Make sure the windows are clean, too, as it will make your home seem cleaner.
Do some baking!
Time to put your baking hat on! Who doesn’t love walking into a home and immediately being hit with the delightful aroma of fresh baked good? That’s right – nobody! Homemade bread, fresh baked cookies, or the smell of cinnamon will do wonders. Perhaps go the extra mile and set out some beverages and your freshly baked bread or cookies on a tray for them to help themselves.
Keep the lights on!
That’s right, even during the day. Proper lighting adds warmth to your environments and a feeling of welcomeness. You don’t have to turn on every light in your home, but make sure each room is lit adequately.
Take the pets elsewhere
While you don’t have to keep it a secret that pets live in your home, the last thing you want is visitors frightened or uncomfortable around Fido. And no, that doesn’t mean lock them in the basement or let them roam around in the backyard, take them on a walk if it’s nice outside. Or set up a play date with a fellow pet owner.
Turn the TV off!
It’s distracting! If you have a radio or speaker system, perhaps turn your it to a soft station on a low volume to add a relaxing ambiance to the home.
CLEAN!
This can’t be stressed enough. Buyers can visualize themselves living in your home. Put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and dirty clothes in the washers. Power up the vacuum and pull out the mop. And don’t forget to scrub the baseboards! Plus, do you really want to show off a dirty home to others?
Take down the family photos
Not because people don’t want to see your family photos, it’s so buyers can visualize themselves living in your home. With photos of strangers hanging up, it’s harder to visualize living in someone else’s home.
Fix things up!
Is there a hole in your wall from when the kids were playing? Or maybe your pup had a bit of separation anxiety while you were at work and tore up some of the carpet in your living room? Make any necessary repairs that would be obvious to the buyer.
Spruce up the curb appeal!
Time to get your green thumb on! Mow the yard, pull the weeds from flower beds, and prune your shrubs. Add flowers outside if it’s in season.
Organize!
This includes closets, cabinets and drawers to showcase your storage space in your home. Clutter makes your home appear as though your home doesn’t have enough storage.
Provide disposable masks and hand sanitizer
In the day and age of COVID-19, this is highly recommended to keep your family and potential buyers safe.
LEAVE THE HOUSE! The future homeowner will feel more comfortable asking questions if you’re not there.
If you’re ready to list your home or have additional questions about preparing for an open house, give The Russell Company a call at (765) 497-0700.