Tips on Preparing for an Open House

You have just listed your home and are having an open house this weekend...what do you do now? With our clients we try to make the open house process as painless as possible. We do ask the owners to leave the premises for a few hours while we host the open house, since many buyers feel more comfortable knowing that the owner isn’t within earshot range. We try to help you prepare for the open house by providing a list of typical things to do such as cutting the grass, snow removal, cleaning, we point out minor repairs, and put away any money and jewellery, and we strongly suggest no smoking in the house while it is listed. We do know how to get ride of this smoke odour from a house, but once removed it is best to smoke outside. We advise clients to de-clutter their house and to start packing personal pictures so the prospective buyers can see themselves living in your home.

There are professional home stagers that can be hired to present your house in a most appealing way. The cost of home staging does vary depending on the volume of work that needs to be done. We can provide a list of names and phone numbers for our clients if they wish to go that route.

If we have just listed your home a few days before the open house we will take invitations to your neighbours, providing you don’t mind, and invite them and any friends or family who may want to live in your neighbourhood to come to the open house. We will post signs on your lawn, and of course advertise in the newspapers and online. Now that potential buyers know your house is ready to be viewed, the open house can begin. At your open house we will provide potential buyers with brochures of your home that we have created, mortgage information, the home inspection and the listing information.

Once the open house has come to a close, we will turn off the lights, and lock up for you and of course leave you a note to let you know how many people came through and if there was any serious interest. We know how anxious most sellers are to know how the open house went and that immediate feedback is a must, we won’t keep you hanging. If you have any questions or concerns always feel free to call us at 705 742 4234.
-Ashley, Jane and John Ross,
Sales Representatives Bowes and Cocks Limited, Brokerage Peterborough