Get yourself Open Home ready

With such tight competition, it’s really important to make a good first impression on your potential buyers. An open home is like a first date with your prospective buyer – it’s your chance to really wow them and win them over. So how do you capture a buyer’s attention in a way that’s immediate and long-lasting? Work through our checklist to improve your first impressions.

Attend to repairs

  • Try internal doors to make sure they close properly and that the handles work. Replace tap washers if they’re dripping.
  • Fix cracks in the wall/ceiling – you might need a professional builder to take a look – before giving the place a lick of paint.
  • Check light fittings and replace bulbs if needed.

Show home

  • The benefits of home staging have been researched well. Consider bringing in the professionals. They have the right furniture and accessories to make your home look a million bucks.

First impressions last

  • Keep your lawn mowed and well fed, clear weeds and leaves and ensure existing plants are looking their best with a ‘feed, water and prune’ regime.
  • Remove unnecessary items from your garden and pathways. If it’s winter, make sure the pathway is not muddy or slippery.
  • Make sure your windows are clean and unbroken, check for missing roof tiles or rust.
  • Walk up to your door and imagine yourself as the buyer. What’s your first impression? Would you want to take a look inside?

Clean freak

  • Do a detailed clean of neglected areas.
  • Focus on making the kitchen and bathroom gleam.
  • Consider hiring a professional cleaning service.

Modernise and minimise

  • Choose neutral tones when redecorating – your buyers need to be able to easily imagine their own decor and style in the space.
  • Remove personal items as much as possible. Remove ALL unnecessary furniture and clutter.
  • Don’t stuff drawers and cupboards – potential buyers might want to check out the storage situation. Consider hiring short-term storage offsite if this is an issue.

Hire an expert

  • Local salespeople are in touch with market trends not only in terms of how they sell best and pricing, but also style trends that are most effective in drawing in buyers.
  • Get a free market appraisal for a well rounded idea of your property value and any specifics you can work on to bump that value before the open home.