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An open house is a great way to show your house off to a large number of buyers. That’s why most people opt to host one.
But failing to prepare for the event properly could easily show your home in a poor light and leave a bad first impression. Here’s what NOT to do when an event for buyers in your Texas home.
Buyers are curious and even a little nosy, and they have every right to be. After all, your house could soon become their house. They’ll want to check out every room, every closet, the garage, storage, basement, and more. Don’t try to hide anything behind closed doors because it will be found.
It’s also not a good idea to lock any doors in an effort to conceal unsightly clutter. Locked doors or areas of your home where access is blocked send the wrong message and leave buyers to wonder what is wrong with the home that you feel the need to hide. If you really do have things you need to conceal, move them to a storage unit or somewhere off the property.
If you’ve hired a realtor, let them handle the open house on their own. You can spend time cleaning and preparing your home ahead of time, but when the time for the event arrives you should leave the property. Buyers often feel uncomfortable when the homeowner is present. They don’t feel like they can freely explore the house or like they can make honest comments and provide any valuable feedback for fear of hurting the owner’s feelings.
This rule can be a little bit flexible only if you’re selling your house without the help of a real estate agent. In this situation, you should stay in the main living area to answer questions while inviting guests to explore the home on their own.
Your pets, and any sign that they live in your home, should be absent during the event. Do your best to clean up pet hair ahead of time, and hire a professional carpet cleaner if needed. This will leave your house smelling nice and remove any pet stains. Make sure their food dishes, beds, cages, and toys are out of sight, and take your animals with you when you leave. Some buyers might feel nervous around pets or be allergic to them, and the last thing you want is for them to be followed around the house by a barking dog.
A dark house feels small, cold, and unwelcoming. Even if the event is in the middle of the day, you should open all the blinds and curtains and turn on every light in the house. Make sure there are no burned out bulbs and that the light fixtures are clean. Buyers want a bright, open, warm house and more light will help your home feel that way.
Does hosting an open house feel overwhelming? Joe Homebuyer Dallas can help. We buy houses in any condition in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding area. We’ll make you a cash offer on your house and can close in a matter of days with no need for cleaning, staging, or home showings. Get your cash offer from Joe Homebuyer Dallas today!