If you and your REALTOR® Decide together to hold an open house, here are five big mistakes you need to avoid.
5 Huge Mistakes to Avoid if You’re Holding an Open House
Real estate agents hold open houses every day, so your agent will give you all the guidance you need to make yours successful. In the meantime, though check out these five big mistakes you need to be on the lookout for:
- Leaving behind personal items (including prescriptions)
- Leaving your pets at home
- Forgetting to scour the kitchen
- Putting out your everyday bath towels
- Letting your yard go
Here’s a closer look at each.
Open House Mistake #1: Leaving Behind Personal Items (Including Prescriptions)
When you hold an open house, you need to put away all your personal items. That includes mail, family photos, any documents that have personal information on them, and prescription medications (even if they’re not narcotics). if you have firearms in your home, make sure they are locked away or, even better, removed from the home completely. You’ll have plenty of strangers in and out of your space, and unfortunately, you never know who’s going to pick something up and walk away with it.
Related: How to clean for a short-notice showing
Open House Mistake #2: Leaving Your Pets at Home
Never, ever leave your pets at home during an open house. You should take them with you when you leave! There are several reasons for this, including the fact that some people simply don’t like animals. Worse, though, is that your pet could dart out an open door out of fear… and even worse than that is that someone could take your pet with them when they leave.
Naturally, it’s okay to leave fish – but you definitely don’t want to leave behind any dogs, cats, reptiles or small pets (such as hamsters and guinea pigs) that live in cages that you can take with you when you leave.
Related: How to depersonalize your home to sell
Open House Mistake #3: Forgetting to Scour the Kitchen
During an open house, many people gather in the kitchen to discuss what they think of the home. That means your kitchen needs to be immaculately clean. Make sure you do all of the dishes, wipe down the counters and stovetop, clean the floors and leave the sink empty. You should also remove your sponge, dish soap and other scouring items from the sink and put them neatly in the cabinet below.
Related: What rooms should you stage when you’re selling your home?
Open House Mistake #4: Putting Out Your Everyday Bath Towels
If you’re holding an open house, you should invest in fluffy, new bath towels. (Even if you’re not holding an open house but simply opening your home for private tours, this is a good idea.) Prospective buyers don’t want to see your well-worn towels; they want to see that your bathroom looks like a fresh, rejuvenating, spa-like atmosphere.
Related: 3 ways to spruce up your bathroom when you’re on a budget
Open House Mistake #5: Letting Your Yard Go
People begin forming an impression of your home before they even step through the front door, which is why it’s so important to maintain your yard prior to an open house. If you have grass, make sure it’s well-watered and neatly trimmed; if you have rocks, pull out all the weeds and cover up any “bald spots” before an open house or showing.
Are You Selling a Home in DC Ranch?
Thinking about selling your home in DC Ranch? Call us at 480-360-0281 to find out how we’ll market it to all the right buyers. If you’re also looking for a new home, we’d love show you any listing in the community. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to search for something that’s a perfect match for your needs.
While you’re here, check out our:
- Country Club Village homes for sale
- Desert Camp Village homes for sale
- Desert Parks Village homes for sale
- Silverleaf Village homes for sale
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
866-613-8356
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
