STEP 4: HOSTING AN OPEN HOUSE An open house means advertising all over the place that anyone who wants to have a look at your lovely home may do so at such and such time and on such and such date. Your most successful open houses will likely be on weekends between noon and 5:00 p.m. To draw an adequate number of viewers, publicize it like mad. Put out plenty of high-quality signs for people searching for your home to follow. As guests arrive, give the grand tour of your Sign-In Sheets : This is very handy for knowing who came to your home, how to contact them, and whether they’re working with an agent. Keep several sheets near your entrance with plenty of pens, and ask each visitor to sign in. Information on Sales Price : Hire a real estate agent to work up your CMA, or do the research on similar homes in your area. Have this information handy in writing so that you can justify your sale price if necessary. home as if it were Buckingham Palace. YOUR OPEN HOUSE CHECKLIST Give the Kids a Vacation : Everyone loves their kids, but an open house isn’t the best place for them. It can be overwhelming for the little ones to think of selling their home, and they may cause a fuss. Some viewers find the patter of little feet distracting. Take the kids to a safe sitter, such as Grandma or a trusted neighbor, for the day. This also will help you focus on the open house. Preparation is Essential : You’ll have to answer many questions during an open house. Think about the potential ones beforehand and be prepared. What would you want to know about a property if you were considering purchasing it? If you don’t know the answer to one of these questions, find it before you open your doors to the public. Common question topics are: ; shopping opportunities ; school information ; parks ; various services (recycling, trash pickup, etc.)
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