Today's Quote of the Day comes from my almost 14 year old daughter, Lucy. We were touring houses this past weekend to see comps for an upcoming listing I have in the works and she made a very interesting observation.
The floors really say a lot about a house.
She went on to explain that one house, which had beautifully refinished hardwood floors really shined and she thought better about the house overall because the sellers had taken such good care to present the floors well. Another house had hardwood floors which were not only very dirty but uneven in places, paint-stained, and overall very scuffed. She thought that house did not show well.
I've written before about some guidance for open house preparations which did highlight cleanliness. I'm working now on a new seller checklist for Open House Prep (I have my own Open House Preparations Checklist, but this new one will be to give to my seller clients). I'm happy to share with my seller clients in the future.
I just thought it was an interesting observation that Lucy had. What stands out for you about houses and how do those things reflect on your overall impression of the home?
Showing posts with label open house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label open house. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2014
Friday, May 10, 2013
Top Ten Tips for Open House Prep
For an open house, to the general public or to other Realtors, your house does not necessarily need to look like a photo shoot for the spring Pottery Barn catalog (although that would be terrific if that were the case). And I'm not talking about a bowl of lemons on the kitchen counter or baking cookies in the oven. No, those are advanced topics.
Rather, based on just four broker open houses I attended earlier this week, these are some basic steps I recommend for both agents and homeowners trying to sell houses. I am not suggesting you try to transform your house into something it is not; it should simply be the best it can be at that time.
10. Throw away the empty pizza box from the stovetop.
9. Grab two or three large black garbage bags and walk through the house for 15-20 minutes, throwing away obvious trash and junk.
8. If it is going to rain, don't leave the windows open.
7. That said, if possible, air it out ahead of time; food and pet odors can be overwhelming.
6. Sweep.
5. It's handy if your azaleas are in peak bloom; as an alternative, some pansies might be nice.
4. Vacuum up the dead flies from the floors and window sills.
3. At least put your laundry in the hamper.
2. No one wants to see your dirty dishes.
1. Get the house ready like someone is coming to visit, because they are.
Prospective buyers and their buyer's agents will thank you.
Rather, based on just four broker open houses I attended earlier this week, these are some basic steps I recommend for both agents and homeowners trying to sell houses. I am not suggesting you try to transform your house into something it is not; it should simply be the best it can be at that time.
10. Throw away the empty pizza box from the stovetop.
9. Grab two or three large black garbage bags and walk through the house for 15-20 minutes, throwing away obvious trash and junk.
8. If it is going to rain, don't leave the windows open.
7. That said, if possible, air it out ahead of time; food and pet odors can be overwhelming.
6. Sweep.
5. It's handy if your azaleas are in peak bloom; as an alternative, some pansies might be nice.
4. Vacuum up the dead flies from the floors and window sills.
3. At least put your laundry in the hamper.
2. No one wants to see your dirty dishes.
1. Get the house ready like someone is coming to visit, because they are.
Prospective buyers and their buyer's agents will thank you.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Different Open House Customs
My family and I frequently travel to Wisconsin to visit family. I grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and have always enjoyed checking out open houses when I am visiting. Because it was Christmastime during this most recent visit, there were limited offerings on that Sunday, and it was about 19 degrees outside, and there was a Packers game on TV, so I had other priorities. Go Pack Go!
Browsing the listings in the local paper reminded me how real estate practices, in addition to local and state laws and regulations, differ across the country. In Maryland and DC and much of this region, the typical public open house is Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Occasionally an agent will hold a property open on a Saturday for a couple of hours, say 1-3 p.m. or 2-4, but I cannot recall seeing an open house for less than 2 hours.
In Oshkosh, open houses are typically one hour long. So one agent, let's call him Charlie, can hold House A on Westhaven Drive open 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., then scoot over to Listing B on Grove Street from noon to 1:00 p.m., and finish off the afternoon's work at House C on Mount Vernon Street from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. That schedule makes me exhausted just typing it. Then again, that fictitious agent Charlie might shudder at the thought of staying in one house for three solid hours.
I enjoy thinking about these different practices and customs. I wonder what buyers think?
Browsing the listings in the local paper reminded me how real estate practices, in addition to local and state laws and regulations, differ across the country. In Maryland and DC and much of this region, the typical public open house is Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Occasionally an agent will hold a property open on a Saturday for a couple of hours, say 1-3 p.m. or 2-4, but I cannot recall seeing an open house for less than 2 hours.
In Oshkosh, open houses are typically one hour long. So one agent, let's call him Charlie, can hold House A on Westhaven Drive open 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., then scoot over to Listing B on Grove Street from noon to 1:00 p.m., and finish off the afternoon's work at House C on Mount Vernon Street from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. That schedule makes me exhausted just typing it. Then again, that fictitious agent Charlie might shudder at the thought of staying in one house for three solid hours.
I enjoy thinking about these different practices and customs. I wonder what buyers think?
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Learnings from Hosting an Open House
I have some keen insights into the world of real estate to share. These are based on my experiences at a public open house I hosted on behalf of one of my colleagues today.
1. Don't mix paper and water in transit.
2. Putting those directional open house arrow signs up is harder than it seems (especially while wearing heels).
3. I should eat an early lunch *and* bring a snack.
4. It is great talking to neighbors.
5. Open houses are great marketing tools.
1. Don't mix paper and water in transit.
2. Putting those directional open house arrow signs up is harder than it seems (especially while wearing heels).
3. I should eat an early lunch *and* bring a snack.
4. It is great talking to neighbors.
5. Open houses are great marketing tools.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Observations From Some Broker Opens
Oh-for-three. That's how the Broker Open Houses I attended this afternoon "batted" in agent coverage. Being in the first year of my real estate career, I am not being judgmental. I merely observe that if I am going to host a Broker Open House, the goal of that event is to expose my listing on behalf of my seller clients to as many real estate agents as possible. These agents ostensibly have buyers who may want to see the property so the Broker Open House gives the agents a chance to preview without appointment and ask questions about the home as they view it. If the listing agent is there, that is. No agent equals no answers, no helpful tips, no "don't miss..." comments, no real selling of the house.
Adding to this gap, two of the three had not even one piece of paper, not one glossy brochure boasting about all the home has to offer. Nothing to jot my notes on, nothing to help me remember the property.
Instead, I hope to be able to live up to this standard: Broker Open House means that I will be there and I will have professionally prepared brochures with all the home's features and benefits on hand. Maybe I'll even serve coffee and muffins.
Adding to this gap, two of the three had not even one piece of paper, not one glossy brochure boasting about all the home has to offer. Nothing to jot my notes on, nothing to help me remember the property.
Instead, I hope to be able to live up to this standard: Broker Open House means that I will be there and I will have professionally prepared brochures with all the home's features and benefits on hand. Maybe I'll even serve coffee and muffins.
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