22/10/2024
A good thing to remember is that most buyers need to forge an emotional connection with a property to consider buying it seriously. So, you should do whatever you can to make that process a little easier. That means cleaning, temporarily removing animals, and hiding personal possessions. And it means refraining from certain behaviours, too.
Below, we take a look at open house etiquette for sellers.
1. Keep animals away
Not everybody loves cats and dogs, and it can be a really big turn-off for somebody who might have an allergy to walk into an open house, smell a dog or cat, and start sneezing at the front door.
2. Minimise personal items on display
Potential buyers need to be able to imagine their life in the house for sale, and too much of your personal clutter can make this difficult.
De-personalising a property as much as possible means removing family snaps from the fridge and removing any polarising artwork.
3. Add some greenery
Many vendors underestimate the power of greenery in creating a warm and inviting home. Some of my most successful marketing campaigns have been off the back of stunning florals, adding that large chic plants, newly-planted garden beds and floral arrangements create a “fresh and welcoming vibe” in a home.
4. Keep things neat and tidy
On open day, a property should reflect the polished images used in marketing material. When you’re living in a property while selling it, you need to remember it needs to look the way you’d expect a hotel room to look after room service has been through. Often, the best way to achieve this look is to book a cleaner between opens.
