How To: Ensure a memorable home open experience.

Home opens have held an essential role in real estate transactions for decades, but they’ve certainly changed a lot over the years. 

In today’s market, if you want to attract the right kind of buyers to a property whilst building the trust of prospective sellers, then it’s all about a winning home opening experience. Although this might mean a little more time and effort on your part as the homeowner, the results will simply speak for themselves.

Don’t blow your chance at a lasting first impression! Follow our top tips to ensure your home open experience is an exciting affair that will stand out from the competition. 

Make it sparkle.

Whilst it might seem like an obvious move, you’ll be surprised by how much better your house looks after a very thorough clean. 

We encourage all of our sellers to give the entire property a big clean in advance, and then keep the place in good condition whilst it’s on the market. That way, you should only need a quick refresh to prepare for a new home open, rather than a full makeover each week.

Be sure to dust, vacuum, scrub, wash and buff from top to bottom - you can’t afford to forget any areas! Don’t forget to clean inside ovens, cupboards and wardrobes too, you’d be amazed how nosy some potential buyers can be.

If you’re feeling a little in-over-your-head, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a professional. Cleaners, organizers and declutterers are your best friend come sale time and really are the best gift you can give yourself at this overwhelming and stressful time. 

Find the way to the heart.

There is no doubt that food and drink is the way to a human’s heart and, when it comes to setting a memorable home open experience, it really is an essential! Make the atmosphere of the home open more welcoming and casual by presenting prospective buyers with some light refreshments. 

For a mid-week open, think along the lines of a grazing board or simple hors d'oeuvres that can be easily served and consumed. For a Saturday, why not organise a coffee van to fuel everyone’s weekend?  This automatically lightens the mood of the open whilst ensuring your property sticks in the mind of buyers for weeks to come. 

Light it up.

Natural light is extremely important to prospective buyers so it should be highlighted and showcased at every opportunity. 

Prepare for your upcoming home open by opening all blinds and curtains to let the sunshine in, turn on all lights and remove any unnecessary items to let surfaces appear larger. If your place still feels a little dark and gloomy, consider replacing bulbs with a higher wattage and hanging a mirror to help more light bounce around the space. 

With the dark, winter months steadily approaching, be sure to be prepared. Consider adding some candles or additional light sources to each room to help create a warm and welcoming environment. 

Set the tone.

Music is said to be a mood booster, encouraging people to pay attention and deepen their memories. Just as movies include soundtracks to set the mood and shape viewers’ emotions, you can create a soundtrack for your open house to persuade potential buyers to make an offer on your property.

If you’re thinking about including music in your open house, make sure not to go overboard. Instead of playing the top hits that may distract from the home, consider allowing potential buyers to float through the property while listening to uplifting jazz or classical tunes. 

Melodies have the power to stay with people over time, and with the right soundtrack you can get buyers to remember the home long after viewing it!