Most open houses are held to attract potential buyers. However, when your home is open to the public, anyone can stop by for a peek … even casual observers looking for decorating ideas. Your Texas Realtor can help you decide if an open house is right for you and can walk you through the process, but here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision.

Why hold an open house?

An open house is an opportunity for you to market your home directly to potential buyers. Visitors can take their time walking from room to room and are able to ask questions about the home’s features. This allows buyers to see the inside of the home in a way that you just can’t get from flipping through photos online. Hosting an open house is also a good opportunity for you to get honest feedback on your home. You can count on at least a few of the attendees to offer candid comments about what they do and don’t like. Your Texas Realtor can collect this information during the open house and share it with you afterward. You may even decide to make minor improvements or highlight certain amenities based on visitors’ input.

Isn’t it a lot of work?

It’s actually very easy to host an open house, as long as you do the prep work ahead of time. Your Texas Realtor will discuss with you what day and time is best to host the event. Most open houses are held for a few hours on weekend afternoons, but she may suggest hosting one mid-week so buyers can observe the area’s school or rush-hour traffic patterns.

Get the word out

Holding an open house requires more marketing than just putting a sign in the front yard. Your Texas Realtor’s marketing plan may include advertising the open house in the classified section of your local newspaper, on her website or other online media, and directional signage in the neighborhood.

Ready, set, show

It’s important to help your home look its best before holding an open house. It just takes a few steps.

• Create some curb appeal – The more appealing a property looks from the outside, the greater chance a potential buyer will choose to drop in.

• Clean the house – First, put away anything that will distract buyers from the property, such as personal photos and other knick knacks. Second, scrub the house from top to bottom. Nothing is less appealing than a dirty home.

• Freshen it up – A little paint goes a long way to brighten a room. If you do paint, choose neutral colors. They are much more appealing to buyers.

• Eliminate the odors – Pets and cigarettes are the big ones. To alleviate the smells, deodorize upholstery and carpets.

• Perform minor repairs – If you can fix it easily, do it. Check for squeaky doors, leaky faucets, faulty lights, etc. If you have repairs that require more work, talk to your Texas Realtor to determine if the repair is worth the cost.

• Keep yourself and your belongings safe – Secure your valuables, prescription medications, and personal items before the open house.

Work with a professional

Don’t be surprised if your Texas Realtor recommends that you be out of the house during the open house. While it may be tempting to stay, some buyers feel uncomfortable with you there while they open bedroom closets and kitchen drawers. Your Texas Realtor will work on your behalf to field the questions and point out the home’s assets.

Talk to your Texas Realtor to determine whether an open house should be part of her plan to market your home. In the meantime, I invite you to visit TexasRealEstate.com TexasRealEstate.com for more information about buying and selling in Texas.

For your real estate needs, please contact Waymond Lightfoot (RE/MAX Genesis) at 210-386-5201.