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Selling a home can be a complicated process. Navigating real estate regulations and finding a buyer for a property, can be exhausting. It is for this reason that most people choose to hire real estate agents to handle the sale process.
However, for various reasons, you could choose to handle the sale of your house on your own. It could be due to sentimental ties or just a hands-on personality. Either way, when you choose not to hire an agent, you will have to stage your open house.
Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you.
Repairs
Every home has one thing or another that may be a bit faulty but no one ever really got around to fixing it. To you, these small eccentricities are tied to dear memories. For prospective buyers looking for a fresh start, they may only appear as faults.
In order to secure a buyer, you will be expected to put your best foot forward. Take some time to go around the house and assess everything that could use fixing. It does not have to become a full renovation, just a bit of a touch-up.
Tend to broken windows and mirrors with new panes. If cupboard doors are creaky and hanging askew, consider getting kitchen cabinet hinges in bulk to set them to rights. You will save money and make an impression on buyers in one sweep. The more presentable the home, the better the price it fetches.
Cleaning
Depending on how long the space has been unoccupied and the extent of repairs done, it is bound to be dusty. You do not want yours to be the open house that flared up everyone’s allergies, do you? A deep clean comes highly recommended.
Schedule the cleaning a day or two before you are to host so as to make the most of it. In addition, when it is all spik and span, be sure to lock up the windows and exits after aeration. Unoccupied houses tend to attract pests when left accessible.
Landscaping
One of the goals of an open house is to give prospective buyers a chance to envision their lives in that space. Landscaping showcases the exterior beauty of a home. It brings to life the possibility of barbecues during summer afternoons.
Read: Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Landscaper
The benefits of green spaces can not be understated, they are a key selling point.
Purpose to have the lawn mowed and watered alongside any plants or flowers you may wish to add.
Documentation and Legalese
The sale of any property is a legally binding transaction. There is a significant amount of documentation involved including contracts and other finer details. If you are not a practicing lawyer, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and get one on board.
You may require documentation involving:
Homeowners Associations and Neighborhood Committees
Most communities have associations or committees that are established to steer the welfare of the neighborhood. Usually, they oversee certain rules that are agreed upon. While they may not control the sale of your personal property, there may be rules you are required to adhere to.
You may be expected to inform the association about your intention to sell and the open house event beforehand. Additionally, it would be prudent to make copies of the list of neighborhood codes for potential buyers. Full disclosure is important lest they renege when they are met with rules they are against.
Mortgage and Insurance
It is possible to sell your home while still paying your mortgage. However, try and get all the relevant information on how much you owe and what prepayment would entail. Having all the facts will partly l guide on setting the right sale price.
Further, documents such as records of property taxes and cleared utility bills may be required. The point of them is to give the new occupant a fresh start with no inherited liabilities after the deal closes.
On insurance, any previous claims or damage to the property you are selling are matters of interest to your buyer. When they seek out their own home insurance, such factors will affect their premiums. Prepare them in good time as opposed to having to source for them midway and stalling the sale.
Caveat:
Ir is okay to prepare these documents while getting ready to host the open house. Having them will help to expedite the process if and when you find a buyer. However, legal documents contain sensitive personal information, share them only under the advice of counsel.
Soft Touches
A manicured lawn will only do so much. The true measure of value is in the interior of the house. Soft touches are meant to make the property as easy on the eyes as possible. The approach you take depends on whether you are still living in the space or not.
If you are still occupying the house, it is an easy fix. All you have to do is ensure that the house is neat and clean. Some tasteful splashes of color to catch the eye would be nice too. Get some baking going or some coffee brewing, the aromas lend themselves well to that homey feel.
Read: 3 Soothing Water Features to Increase Garden Relaxation
In the case of an empty house, you would be working with a blank canvas. Given as the walls will be bare, a fresh lick of paint could make the space fresher and more appealing. Consider hanging art pieces and having fresh flowers in some rooms. Always offer refreshments.
Impress to Sell
Open houses can be said to be a form of experiential advertising. Potential owners get to try on the house for size and poke around its nook and crannies. It helps them make an informed decision.
Granted, your house can have the best bones but buyers will judge it based on what they can see right in front of them. If you commit to getting the house up to scratch you will be rewarded by sumptuous offers in no time. All your efforts towards a pleasant hospitable open house will not be for naught.
