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Getting the Cha-Ching! Part 6
The open house is the grand show. Not only showing the house, but showing your work and the transformation. The following is a check list with comments to prepare for your open house.
My next post will be a summary of this entire series.
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- If you haven't run a newspaper ad, this is the time to do so. Don't forget the small monthly papers. You will have to check on the ad submission deadlines. Also, edit your online ads to include a notice about the coming open house.
- Open houses are usually held on the weekend. Sometimes only one day of the weekend and sometimes both days. The hours of 1 to 4 are good. Do not hold a open house on holidays.
- Install open house directional signs from the main busy road, to the location of the house. At the house attach several colorful helium balloons to your "For Sale" sign. I get the balloons from a dollar store. Also have an open house sign attached to the "For Sale" sign.
- Check every room, basement, garage, and backyard. If there is something out of place, or a big bug upside down on the floor kicking its' feet, take care of it now.
- When checking the rooms, turn on all the lights.
- Check the temperature, and turn the thermostat to make it comfortable.
- Put toilet paper in one bathroom
- Have some music playing softly. (classical, Jazz, or elevator music)
- Light candles with a baked apple cinnamon scent. Other scents could be used by baking prepared dough sugar cookies, or baking bread. The prepared frozen type is easiest. Caution: If you bake, be sure you do not burn anything. You don't want that scent in the house. Other ways to get the scents is by using simmering potpourri, or simply using a pan of water with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. Do this ahead of time, then put away the pan. Test out your candles or other scent items ahead of time to make sure it is pleasant, and not overwhelming.
- Have information about the house, flyer, school information, taxes, average utility bills, an inspection list, and a recent appraisal. Put all of this, and before and after pictures in a small looseleaf notebook with acid free protector pages. Also, have more flyers, and your business card to hand out. Don't forget contracts, and pens. Have a sign in book, or sheet, or individual forms for sign in information. Small clipboards are also very handy. Especially if you have a busy open house.
- A punch bowl filed with ice and bottled water, and cookies for the kids. If you baked sugar cookies, serve them. If not purchased cookies will be fine. Also, a good idea is to have wrapped peppermints.
- When the guests come, be sure to be standing, and greet them at the door. Give them a bottled water, and offer goodies. Be friendly, be talkative, but keep the conversation as much as you can on the house. Be sure to get them to sign in. After they leave, make notes on the clients to give you information for follow up.
My next post will be a summary of this entire series.
If you have enjoyed this post, why not subscribe? Also, take part in leaving comments. Thank You!
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