Want an Irresistible Open House? These 9 Tips Will Sell Your Home in a Flash!

Are... Are those Cookies?!?

• Discover simple ways sellers can prepare for the best possible open house.

• To prepare for an open house: clean your home well, consider pleasant smells like baking cookies, and ensure pets are not present during the event.

• Pay attention to your curb appeal, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and address key considerations like cleanliness and frequently asked questions.

Host an Irresistible Open House!

Are you planning to sell your home? A good way to attract potential buyers is by having your listing agent host an open house. An open house provides a great opportunity for prospective buyers to explore your property, envision themselves living there, and spend some additional time in your home.

To make sure your open house is a success, we have gathered some valuable tips to help you – and your agent – make the most of this important event.

A lot of the tips we give here are similar to ones we would give for staging your home. But it’s one thing to have your home staged and quite another having upwards of dozens – dare we say hundreds?! – of people parading through your home.

To prepare for an open house, focus on enhancing curb appeal by tidying the front yard and repainting the front door. Declutter and depersonalize each room to create a neutral atmosphere. Showcase the best features of your home, ensure proper lighting, and create a welcoming ambiance with soft music and refreshments.

Boost Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see. Make sure you’re ‘market ready’. Check to make sure your home's curb appeal by ensuring that the front yard is tidy and well-maintained. Consider adding potted flowers, hanging your state flag, and making sure your doormat is attractive.

A welcoming and visually appealing exterior will entice visitors to step inside. Sweep the walks, make sure your lawn is cut, and that there isn’t anything amiss. So hide those trash cans in your garage, uncover your grill and put up patio umbrellas. Don’t forget to put out cushions on your patio furniture if you have nice ones.

Declutter and Depersonalize

You should have already done this to get your home ready to sell, but for an open house you need to go back through and give your home another look. Put your mail away. Clear off your countertops – kitchen and bathrooms. If your fridge is overfilled with food, consider giving it a quick once over. Empty the trash. Potential buyers will be looking everywhere.

Showcase the Best Features

Highlighting the unique and desirable features of your home is crucial. Identify the key selling points, such as a renovated kitchen, a cozy fireplace, or a spacious backyard, and make sure they stand out.

So turn on your gas fireplace, If you have a surround sound system put on some light jazz or light classical music. If you have a huge new flatscreen TV turn it on an leave it on the ‘screensaver setting. Turn ceiling fans on and if the weather is nice, open some windows or doors to the outside.

Ensure Proper Lighting

Natural light can make any space feel bright and inviting. Open curtains and blinds to let sunlight flood the rooms. For areas with insufficient natural light, strategically place lamps or use soft lighting to create a warm and cozy ambiance. Well-lit spaces appear more welcoming and spacious.

Turn every light on in the house. This includes over the stove, bathrooms and utility spaces. No one should need to turn anything on while they are at your property.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

To make visitors feel at ease, create a welcoming atmosphere by playing soft background music (which we’ve mentioned already) and set your home at a comfortable temperature. If it’s hot, turn the A/C up. If it’s cold out, make your home toasty. With the door opening and closing it might be hard to maintain the temperature, so crank it up.

Offer light refreshments like bottled water, snack bags or cookies. Your goal is to make potential buyers feel comfortable and at home.

Provide Information and Answer Frequently Asked Questions

During the open house, be prepared to answer questions about your property. Be available by text for your agent. Have essential details, such as the age of appliances, recent renovations, and nearby amenities typed up for buyers to see.

Consider providing additional information in addition to the brochures or listing flyers that your agent creates. Don’t be shy about highlighting the key features and selling points of your home. We listed a home (in the winter) that had an incredible spring garden. The sellers pulled out and displayed pictures of their exterior in springtime.

I’ve also seen buyers add little quotes like “ We love the way you can see the setting sun from this room.” It adds details that you wouldn’t necessarily know just by walking through the room.

Clean Your Home Really Well

A clean and well-maintained home creates a positive impression on potential buyers. We always want our listings professionally cleaned before they go active. But you should also pay attention to your home just before your open house too.

I always arrive at my open houses early, and sometimes that time has been needed to wipe down counters, and get rid of fingerprints on doors and refrigerators. Pay attention to often overlooked areas, and double check areas you’ve used recently.

Get a small bucket an move everything out of your shower – no one needs to see how much hair is on your bar of soap and what your hair care products are. Fill the toilet paper rolls. Empty your trashcans.. Have we said that already? Let’s do it again: Empty your trash!

A sparkling clean home conveys a sense of pride in ownership and signals to buyers that your property has been well cared for.

Consider Smells - Bake Cookies!

The sense of smell can play a significant role in how potential buyers perceive your home. Pleasant aromas can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consider baking a fresh batch (or two) of cookies for guests are your open house.

The delightful scent of freshly baked goods wafting through the rooms can evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia. It reminds people of home…

Place a plate of cookies on the kitchen counter, allowing visitors to enjoy a treat while exploring your home. There are pre-portioned cookie dough balls in the grocery store that you simply put on a cookie sheet and bake. You can cut out and display the package/ ingredients list for anyone concerned about allergens.

Get Pets Out

While you may adore your furry friends, it's important to remove them from the premises during the open house. Not all potential buyers may be comfortable around pets, and some individuals may have allergies. Arrange for your pets to stay with a friend, neighbor, or a trusted pet-sitter for the duration of the event.

Remember to thoroughly clean any areas where pets typically reside to eliminate any lingering pet odors. Vacuum carpets, clean furniture, and remove pet hair from surfaces. I’ve seen potential buyers walk out of a home immediately if they know their was a cat or dog there. So it does matter to potential buyers.

Host an Irresistible Open House

Hosting a successful open house can significantly increase your chances of selling your home quickly and at a desirable price. In really competitive home markets like we’ve seen over the past few years, buyers are using open houses to take longer ‘second looks’ at a home. I had one recently where 8 buyers of the 10 offers we received came through the open house.

By implementing some of these simple tips before your open house, you can create an experience that leaves a great impression on potential buyers. One that will hopefully encourage them to bid up the price! Remember to showcase your home's best features, provide accurate information, and maintain your home in peak condition.

Good luck with your open house, and may it lead to a successful sale of your home!