Open House - Any tips and tricks?

[HouseIsOnFire]

Hello everyone,

Am asking for advice again please! House is on the market and we have 10 viewings so far for an open house on Saturday! I have tomorrow off to prepare, any tips or tricks out there please?

Off to the shops tomorrow for fresh flowers, and will be hiding pet stuff, towels and the dread loo brush... any more ideas?

I did have professional cleaners in last week, so it's just (ha) a week of cat hair to hoover and a quick go over of bathroom, but they were an eco company so it doesn't smell clean if you know what I mean! Was thinking maybe grabbing a room spray, but would that put you off?

I have drinks and stuff in the fridge for the EA... snacks too do you think?

Hide any valuables.

Please don't get room spray or any smelly crap like plug ins. Some people have allergies and it would make me wonder what you were masking, like dog smells etc.

True, I will be giving the bathroom a once over so it should be fine, I guess I just feel like I need the smell of chemical cleaners for it to feel clean!!

Make sure the frontage of the property and garden area is immaculate as this is the first impression all visitors have of your home.

Same goes for entrance to the house - it needs to be welcoming and uncluttered and somehow give off an aura of "calm loveliness" if you know what I mean.

Remove all personal effects and mementoes.

Surfaces should be clean and cleared, windows shining, as well as any other glass or mirrors throughout the home.

If convenient and you have time, could you ask a neutral but honest friend to give your house a view with a critical eye and that should tell you what the impressions are.

Take some photos of all the rooms in your house. Often something you have missed, will show up in a photo.

If you have pets remove any dog baskets, blankets and feeding bowls.

Oh the photos is a great idea thank you! I feel like they almost did too good a job with the listing photos, so it feels quite stressful to keep up!! (I know I'm sure I'm being ridiculous, but everything this week seems like a massive mountain to climb!)

I cleaned all my house pre open day with method products, the almond wood and floor polish cleaner and the wild rhubarb floor cleaner particular favourites , did the trick as the buyer commented on how the lovely house smelled. Can’t beat some fresh blooms too but see they are already on your list. Windows open so plenty of fresh air circulating through. We also had a basket of shoe protectors by the door, gave it that ‘this home is cared for, so please don’t trample mud all over my house’ vibe 🤣. Best of luck.

Sorry I'm against the shoe protector idea. Doesn't say 'cared for' to me, more 'I'm precious about my house and you are a slob'.
And forget about drinks and snacks for your agent!
Clean, decluttered and empty (of owners and pets) is how they want the house.

Thank you! Will have to go have a sniff of method stuff tomorrow

Where do you get shoe protectors from??? Not for this, but i feel like that could be a decorating godsend!!!

@HouseIsOnFire

Thank you! Will have to go have a sniff of method stuff tomorrow

Where do you get shoe protectors from??? Not for this, but i feel like that could be a decorating godsend!!!

Poundland Amazon

Loo seats down and hide all toiletries. Just one or two (clean) towels in bathrooms.
Consider unplugging any thing with messy trailing cords
Kitchen counters very clear but not empty. Definitely put washing up paraphernalia in a cupboard though.
Remove all pet bowls, beds, toys.
Put garden cushions out if you have for patio furniture.

Thanks Lampzade!

The EA was very firm on no towels out (maybe he just didn't like the colour of mine???)

@HouseIsOnFire

Thanks Lampzade!

The EA was very firm on no towels out (maybe he just didn't like the colour of mine???)

What a weird thing to say!

Unless your

bathroom shelves are like mine with 15 years worth of various colours, patterns, beach towels and even still some of one those baby ones with the hood corner?

Nope! Actually no clutter in the bathroom (all in a cupboard) but the two towels on the radiator was too much! They were even matching and everything! :o

Open the windows and just keep them open

Have the back door unlocked so you're not faffing for keys.

Take a list of peoples names as they come in.

Be prepared to be asked what the neighbours are like, local schools, nearby shops.

Know when was the house built.

You'll be asked why are you selling everytime someone else comes in.

Chuck most things in bags and hide them in the car because people will open your cupboards to see what size was there.

Know when your boiler was installed/serviced.

I like candles and room sprays so would be more than happy, every house as a smell without them anyway so it wouldn't make much difference to have them.

I really wish I had a bigger car at this point!

Think all on track, good call on the questions - I'm making the estate agent a crib sheet (they're hosting all the viewings!)

Thank you!

Hide your valuables. The E A will let people wander around unaccompanied I expect.

We had people turn up to our open house who weren’t booked in. Including some cheeky nosy neighbours.

Fresh air from open windows. I like the smell of some of the flash floor cleaners, so maybe a quick mop before viewings. I prefer seeing a full fruit bowl to flowers 😆

I like the shoe protector idea. I wouldn't want outside shoes inside my clean house.

Flowers or a fruit bowl work wonders.
Contact details are a must.
Jot down names too.
Use bags to hide old items
Be clued up about the area etc
No clutter at all
Smile
Breathe
Stay positive
Unplug things so that your house is fairly tidy
Prepare nibbles and have drinks for them
Clean your house up