Open House - How to make it work for you

Tip for making your open house a great success Write a effective Open House ad with clear directions. Put your ad in the real estate section of your weekend newspaper. Ideally you should advertise both the weekend before and the weekend of the open house. Check with the local paper to see when their ad closing deadlines are. Tips for writing ad Headlines that grab attention Describe the best features of your home Closing line to get buyers attention If you have a internet ad be sure to include it. If you don't have one click here to get one Make sure your house is ready inside and out Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything Turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes to make the lawn sparkle Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, confine them to one room Set out potpourri or fresh baked goods for a good smell Create a property summary sheet This sheet gives prospective buyers brief overview of your home. Include dimensions for each room, property taxes,utility cost,school district and a list of when capital items such as roofs and furnace were added. Safety First Keep stairways clear. Avoid possible injuries and litigation Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money Neat & well-ordered closets will make your closets look bigger. Put away kitchen appliances and personal bathroom items to give the illusion of more counter space. Bright and Sunny Turn on all lights. Open all drapes. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle. Keep your OpenHouse for no longer than 5 hours. This will increase the odds of people visiting simultaneously. Guest Book Have a guest book for visitors to sign. Ask visitors to provide the following information on a sign-up sheet: name address phone number, and how they came to know about the house. Signs Place open house directional signs to lead prospective buyers from all major intersections to your house. Place a large, professional sign in a highly visible spot in front of your home. Leave space for vistors to park. Escort all prospects through your home.