When you put your house on the market, you want it to sell as quickly as possible. While your real estate agent is likely pulling out all the stops to get your house exposure, there’s still something to be said for a good old-fashioned open house. An open house lets potential home buyers experience your property and learn details about what makes your home special, unique, and the perfect home for them.

If you want your open house to attract more buyers and more offers, use the following techniques to make your home more appealing.

Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal will be a buyer’s first impression. If home buyers don’t like what they see on the outside, they are going to be less inclined to see what is going on inside. Ideally, you’ve already done the more time-consuming touch-ups (painting your front door, power-washing the driveway, repairing the roof, etc.) before your agent takes photos for your listing. With the larger projects completed, you shouldn’t have to put too much into sprucing up your curb appeal before your open house:

Make sure your lawn is freshly cut and remove any of your children’s or pets’ toys that may be hanging around.
Pull weeds from the garden.
Use a broom to dust off leaves and debris from your front porch.
Touch up flower beds by adding mulch or even some new plants and give them a good watering before the open house.
Remove any lawn ornaments, seasonal flags, or other personalized decorations. You want the yard to be an empty canvas.

Cleaning for an Open House

You may live in a beautiful house, but if it is covered in dust and grime, people are going to see that first. Your best bet is hiring a cleaning service to come the week before your open house to give the whole place a professional scrub. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg—most homeowners spend between $122 to $167 nationally when hiring a cleaning service. Make sure they deep-clean all areas, including tasks such as removing scuffs from baseboards, dusting the walls, and cleaning ceiling fans. Once they’ve done the nitty-gritty stuff, you can maintain your home’s pristine appearance throughout the week:

Wipe down your bathroom sink, vanity area, and mirror daily with a natural cleaner and microfiber cloth.
Invest in a robot vacuum that sucks up dust bunnies and debris daily with the help of a timer.
Remove dog and cat hair from upholstery with the help of a damp rubber glove.
If you have a gas range stove, keep it looking like new by cleaning the range covers in the dishwasher.
Homes look cleaner when there is less clutter. Keep countertops free of nonessentials and remember to put away all clothes, toys, shoes, and other items.

More Open House Tips – Social Media!

Here are a few more open house tips:

Let the light in! Open curtains and consider adding lamps or brighter bulbs to areas that could use a bit more light.
You love your pets, but their presence can be a distraction. Consider hiring a pet sitter for the afternoon that can watch over them so they are out of sight and out of mind as far as open house visitors are concerned.
Never underestimate the power of social media. Display a hashtag attendees can use if they post about your home. Use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other platforms to advertise your open house and post pictures or videos of what is happening on the day of.

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An open house is a great way to get interested home buyers through your front door. First impressions are crucial, so make sure to work on your home’s curb appeal. Nobody will pay attention to your home’s features if they are covered in dirt, so consider hiring a professional cleaning service to do a deep clean, and then you should touch up throughout the week. Be thorough and professional, and you will surely have offers in no time.

Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. While her goal always includes making homes look beautiful, her true focus is on fashioning them into serene, stress-free environments that inspire tranquility in all who enter. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success. Suzie Wilson info@happierhome.net