To make your house smell inviting, an hour or two before the event is to begin, boil some lemon slices on the stove, or bake a spoonful of vanilla extract in the oven for about half an hour. Open all of the vents in your home to circulate the aroma. At the same time you are making sure the house smells wonderful, or just smells clean, ensure that it is clean. Potential buyers will be turned off if they walk into an open house that has not been sufficiently prepared and cleaned and most likely will turn around and walk right back out. During the cleaning process, remember to remove all personal items from view. This includes children’s drawings and paintings, family portraits, wedding photographs, etc. You should also remove pets and any litter boxes or house training pads.
KICK YOUR OPEN HOUSE UP A NOTCH
If traditional open houses are not bringing in the crowds in your area, or your first open house fell flat, there is a way to up your game. This is known as an “extreme open house.” This is an open house with a party theme in which live music, catered refreshments, prizes, entertainment, and even on-site babysitting are included in the showing. Holding your open house in a party like atmosphere gives potential buyers a different, lively perspective of the home in which they can envision themselves as the hosts in a home that is brimming with life and energy. It’s easy to show off your home’s best features in this relaxed environment. If your house has a gourmet kitchen, hire a chef to cook for the attendees. If you have a spectacular outdoor living space, plan an outdoor barbecue with all the fixings of a fun summer day. Just the prospect of free food can bring a crowd. 91
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