An open house is a great way to market your Maui home or condo for sale and get your real estate in front of a lot of eyes all at once. Although some homeowners may think that having strangers walking around their house and judging the décor is unnerving, hosting an open house provides several benefits. A Redfin analysis found that sellers in the U.S. with open houses not only sold for $9,046 more but also spent fewer days on the market. The data also emphasizes the importance of making your property presentable before listing it for sale. Below are some helpful tips to ensure that your open house makes a great first impression with house hunters.
1. Clear the Clutter
One of the first things that a prospective buyer will notice is clutter. So, if you’re putting your Maui house up for sale and it looks like it’s been hit by a storm, you can expect all guests to get turned off. These people will have a hard time picturing their possessions and themselves in your home when you have so much furniture, appliances, and whatnot filling up the areas.
Start by packing half of your belongings at least a month before your open house is scheduled. A trick to tackle this daunting task is to begin from the least used area of the house. Sort, pack, and purge your way through the garage, basement, and attic before moving to the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen. Think small and clear the clutter one drawer or surface at a time. A storage unit is a perfect solution till you are ready to move to your new home.
2. De-Personalize Your House
Sure, the photos of your family and pets look cute. But you need to strip your home of personal items. Pack away all family photos, memorabilia, awards and certificates, and even holiday souvenirs. It’s vital to present your home as a blank canvas. Buyers want to picture themselves living on the property. They should not see the building as your home, but a house they can make their home.
3. Make Necessary Repairs
As you declutter, personalize, and sort through your home, you’re bound to find a few damaged things. Be it a burned-out lightbulb, broken window pane, dings on walls or doors, leaky faucets, or slow-running drain, someone else aside from you is bound to notice it. These small and fairly easy-to-fix maintenance issues can become deal-breakers during the open house especially as they add up.
Home hunters have sharp senses, and they’re always on the lookout for imperfections. You need to make all the necessary repairs. That way, buyers will see the property’s potential instead of a list of DIYs and expenses that you’re passing onto them.
4. Neutralize Odors
The minute a buyer steps inside the house and smells something unpleasant, they’re immediately gone. It’s vital to be meticulous of any strange odors in your home, such as smoke, food, and pets. Sniff around each room a day before your open house and maybe consider baking some cookies the day of.
Since you live on the property, there’s a chance your nose is used to the smell, so ask a trusted neighbor or friend to do a sniff test. Look for the source of the odor and eliminate any traces of it before the guests arrive.
5. Organize Cabinets and Drawers
Some homeowners neglect organizing cabinets and drawers because they think buyers aren’t going to look at them. But one of the features many home hunters look for in houses is the storage space. When it comes to cabinets, closets, and every nook and cranny, these people want it to be as big as possible.
However, the clutter can make it appear like you don’t have enough space. Fold all your clothes properly, and make sure the linen closet doesn’t look like it will burst any moment. Your kitchen cabinet should also be free from any dirty pots, pans, and lids.
6. Lighten Up Rooms
Dark walls, carpets, and furniture can make a room appear smaller, and we know that buyers love spacious rooms. Try to remove these pieces or replace them with something much lighter and brighter. You don’t even have to change everything. For example, adding a light-colored rug on a dark floor is already enough to make a difference.
The whole room should also have adequate lighting. It’s best to check all the light bulbs to ensure they’re working. If possible, you should also replace them with brighter LED globes. Not only do these globes last longer, but they are also more energy-efficient.
7. Don’t Forget the Floors
Dirty and damaged floors make a property appear tired and dated. Before a showing, check all floors in your house for stains, cracks, and chips. A simple vacuum session might be enough. But if the damage is severe and requires replacement, you might have to hire a professional and spend a few bucks.
8. Make Every Room Count
Don’t just focus on the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. Most house hunters want to see all the rooms in the house, including the garage, attic, and even laundry room. You need to ensure that every room is selling itself. It’s best to stage the whole property to give the buyer a glimpse of your property’s full potential.
9. Enhance the Homes Curb Appeal
The first thing that potential buyers see is your outdoor space. Having a beautifully landscaped lawn will make a world of difference to your home’s first impression during an open house. You can level up your curb appeal yourself or hire a professional landscape designer.
If you’d rather handle the job, you can start with easy and simple landscaping tasks, like trimming the lawn, pulling out weeds, and pruning shrubs. A fresh lick of paint on your fence transforms the place and makes it look its best.
10. Host a Broker’s Preview
Consider hosting a broker open house before a general public open house. Agents and brokers who view your home can give you valuable and reliable feedback about your home. The experts can also tell you whether your pricing will meet buyer expectations.
With proper preparations, leveling up your home for an open house doesn’t have to be expensive. Getting all those things fixed, cleaned, and upgraded not only helps you find a buyer and speeds up the process but also adds value to your home. If you want to see your home listed among the top real estate in Maui, you can call us at (808) 495-0022 today. Our team of agents will be able to help locate buyer prospects for your Maui property.