1. Hire
a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential;
dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
2. Mow
your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put
away.
3. Serve
cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming
touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up, use
disposable cups so the sink doesn't fill up.
4. Lock
up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real
estate salesperson will be on site during the open house,
it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.
5. Turn
on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights
add sparkle.
6. Send
your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's
not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a
basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to
find them.
7. Leave.
It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets
and express their opinions of your home with you there.
Reprinted
from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright
2005. All rights reserved www.REALTOR.org/realtormag |
