Have you ever been to an inspection where the house smelled horrible, was dirty, or was so messy you could barely walk through it?

It is said that it takes only 30 seconds for a home buyer to decide whether or not they are interested in a property, and if you have ever been in a home like the one I just described, you know it can take much less than that.

As a professional Home Stager, I have been to numerous inspections, where many properties were poorly presented and remained on the market unsold.

Preparation for your Open House begins weeks before the actual inspections. To ensure that your property presents itself in its best light, it is essential to give yourself enough time to complete the following recommendations:

1. Make sure your home has a welcoming entryway brimming with great curb appeal.

Establish a welcoming environment; Mow the lawn, weed the garden, trim shrubs and trees, and clear a path to the driveway of your property and remove any sports equipment or toys. Add some flowering plants to add pops of color around the driveway.

If it looks good from the outside, the buyer will want to look inside.

Tip: Have Open House signs clearly posted. If a buyer is unsure if their home is the ‘open house’ or how to get in the front door, they can walk right on.

2. Make sure your home is immaculately presented.

It is extremely important that you present or “stage” your property to attract potential buyers, as professionally arranged properties sell on average.

30-50% faster and by 7-17% more

Home staging is a proven marketing strategy where you present a property for sale, highlighting the best features and creating a welcoming atmosphere that will encourage your buyers to fall in love and make an offer.

Tip: Before the Home Staging takes place, clear out and depersonalize: put away items like old papers, knickknacks, family photos, or large furniture, and hide all valuables.

3. Make sure your open house takes place at an optimal time.

Talk to your real estate agent about the best time of day to hold your open house for the suburb in which you live.

Tip: Be aware of when the sun shines on the best aspects of your property. Morning of your Open House

Your property must be clean and tidy from top to bottom, inside and out.

Empty trash cans, vacuum, mop, and pick up dirty dishes and laundry.

Tip: Don’t forget to remove any litter or pet droppings. Neutralize odors in the house by opening the windows, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the house instead of using strong scents, such as incense or air fresheners.

Tip: The night before, it is advisable to cook with foods that only emit mild aromas. To make your home seem bigger and brighter, open all the doors and turn on all the lights.

Tip: Bathroom and closet doors should always be kept closed. Buyers feel uncomfortable when the seller is around and are therefore less likely to develop an emotional attachment to the home. To give the buyer the opportunity to imagine their own family living in the home, it is very important that you and your family members (including pets) leave during this time.

Tip: Have a friend inspect your home first, as they’ll look at you with fresh eyes and be able to spot anything you may have missed. By implementing the above recommendations into your selling process, you will ensure that you have the best open house possible.