If you have an open house coming up, you’ve probably spent a little time cleaning up and getting ready. If you’re not careful, though, you could end up missing the details that really matter most to prospective buyers. Want to make sure your open house is a huge success? Manhattan Boutique Real Estate outlines potential oversights so you can avoid making the same mistakes.
Overlooking Details When Cleaning
If you remember one tip for your open house, it should be this: your apartment can never be too clean when it’s on the market. You’ll need to deep clean your home from top to bottom–making sure to get every nook and cranny, including closets and behind appliances. Your home needs to be really sparkling to have it stand out to home buyers. Are you short on time or simply hate cleaning? Consider making the investment and prep a little easier by hiring a cleaning service to ensure a deep clean for your home.
Putting Out Too Many Personal Items
Your family photos may help you feel at home, but it’s hard for potential buyers to envision themselves in your home with too many of your personal belongings around. Spend some time decluttering and removing your pictures and personal items before your doors are open. Putting your belongings away also gives you peace of mind that they won’t go missing, with so many different people strolling through your home.
Forgetting the Front Door
Every single person who visits your house has to walk through the front door, so it makes sense to give that area special attention. Be aware of scratches and chipped paint, and talk to maintenance about having it freshened up if needed. If your doormat is worn out or you don’t have one, consider picking up a new one to help welcome people into your home. Finally, don’t forget to wipe down any glass, and use appropriate decor to add some appeal to your entrance.
Neglecting the Power of Lighting
Lighting has the power to change the look and feel of a room, so be sure yours is making the right impression. Open drapes and blinds to let natural light in where possible, and take a few minutes to go around and change any burned-out or dull light bulbs. Pay special attention to areas like bathrooms and the kitchen, and don’t be afraid to get creative. A few well-placed lamps or some lighting under cabinets can really make a difference when you’re showing your home.
Leaving Storage Areas Unorganized
We all have that one junk closet or drawer but if you are preparing for an open house, you’ll want to clear it out. Go through and declutter all of your cabinets, closets, and drawers that will be accessible to buyers. Sort out food in the pantry and neatly fold all towels in your linen closets. Assume that if there is a door or a drawer, people will open it and poke around. And remember that cluttered cabinets can give the impression that there just isn’t enough storage in the house.
Joan Brothers, President of Manhattan Boutique Real Estate says “Many people are resuming their pre-pandemic lives and enjoy New York. For our international clients we have been doing virtual tours.”
Selling your apartment can be tricky, but acing the open house doesn’t have to be. You’ve put in a lot of work so far, so don’t let a few small mistakes trip you up.
Take a deep breath and then take these simple steps to make your big day as successful as possible.
Are you ready to list your NYC home? Connect with a real estate pro from Manhattan Boutique Real Estate today! 212-308-2482
