Tip #3 It's Open House Day - What You Should Do

The day has come for your big open house. Follow these tips to ensure a great open house day.

1. Turn on all lights. Dark rooms give the impression you have something to hide.
2. Open all drapes. Windows make a room look bigger.
3. Close the garage door. The garage door gives the front of the house a finished look.
4. Have plenty of copies of your detailed Home Information Sheets available for your guests.
5. Place as many signs guiding people to your home as possible. Make sure your signs have your address clearly displayed.
6. Remove all jewelry and any valuables small enough to be placed in a pocket from your dressers and counters. You don't want to invite trouble.
7. When guests arrive, guide the visitor through your home, making them feel comfortable by giving them a relaxed feeling almost as if this were their own home. Following the visitors and forcing information will make them feel uncomfortable and gives the impression you are anxious or that you need to sell fast. Let the house sell itself. If you have prepared your home for visitors and priced it competitively for its condition and location, you will have no problem selling your home.
8. Offer the visitor a refreshment and ask if they have any concerns. If they have a concern, address their concerns but make sure you don't let your emotions influence your response. Make sure you answer truthfully and factually. Don't make statements that you can't honor later on.
9. Don't take verbal offers. Have a completed contract available for the buyer already filled out. Be prepared to tell the buyer what your are willing to accept. If you need to make a change, do it on the spot and initial the changes. Once complete, get it to your attorney and send a copy to the buyers attorney.
10. Have a sign-in sheet. Have each visitor sign in. Have a lender prepare a cost sheet to show the buyers the cost for financing. If you can, have a security camera record the people that arrive at the front door. Remember you don't know these people nor do you know if they are just looking or are serious buyers.