Just mentioning the words ‘Open Home’ to some people is enough to send them into a mild panic. But with a little forward planning and the right information, you can quickly turn the stress into confidence and excitement knowing your home is showtime ready.

Think of the Open Home as a job interview

We all take extra time to ensure we make a great impression when going for a dream job. It should be no different with the Open Home. The first impression can literally make or break the experience. Make it a good one by de-cluttering, doing a thorough spring clean, and creating a welcoming ambience.

Immaculate presentation suggests a well-maintained home

When a home is beautifully presented at the Open Home it sends a clear message to buyers that the owners have maintained the home well. 

Love thy neighbour

If you observe that your neighbour’s front lawn is overgrown when mowing yours in the lead up to your Open Home, why not ask if they would mind if you mow their lawn as well? Street appeal is important and buyers won’t just be checking out your place when they come along to the Open or even when they’re doing a drive by; they will also be checking out the state of the neighbourhood, especially your nearest neighbours.

Accessorise to suit the season

Sometimes the small things can make all the difference. While we suggest you de-clutter your home, some people tend to take this too far and the home ends up looking a bit cold and uninviting. We recommend you accessorise to suit the season. For an autumn/winter sale, a few tastefully scattered cushions and cosy throws create a warm welcoming ambience. 

Create a welcoming atmosphere

The aim should be to appeal to the senses in a subtle way. Are there any pet or strong food odours in the home? Is the home a comfortable temperature for people to walk through? Here are some tips:

• Open all windows at least an hour before the Open Home to rid your home of any unpleasant odours.
• Create a subtle (but not overpowering) aroma in the home. Freshly baked bread, muffins or freshly ground coffee are still popular choices. These days the choice of quality essential oils and fragrant candles are also excellent choices to enhance the mood in the home.
• Adjust the room temperature before the Open Home to ensure your home is comfortable for people to walk through – neither too warm nor too cold.
• Open blinds and push back curtains to maximise natural light.
• Fresh flowers are always a nice touch.

Other suggestions:

• Plan to make yourself scarce as potential buyers always feel more comfortable to have a good look around the home when the owners aren’t present.

• Take pets off the premises during the Open Home if possible and pick up any droppings from the yard/put away the kitty litter tray.
• Remove any junk mail on the day.
• Don’t leave any valuables in sight.
• Don’t arrange to have a council rubbish collection during the Open Home campaign. Ensure any bulk roadside collection is done before the first Open Home.

Remember, the Open Home is showtime. It’s your chance to make that all important great first impression to prospective buyers and engage them on an emotional level.