Top 5 Things to Know About Real Estate Appraisals
By Elizabeth Dougherty
Nearly all of us have been to open
houses, some of us to so many that they
all look the same after a while. There are
ways to distinguish your home from the
pack, however, and it's easier than you
may think. Here are the top 5 ways to
have the best open house:
1 Bake Something
Nothing makes a house seem
more like a home than the smell of
freshly baked bread or cookies right
out of the oven. These days, you don't
have to be a trained pastry chef to do
it, either. In the frozen foods section
of the grocery store, there are breads
and cookies ready for the oven. Bake
them off about a half hour before your
open house and your home will have
that aroma that conjures up memories
of family gatherings. It also gives your
invitees something to eat.
2 Make Sure it's Spotless
People are going to be spending
a lot of time looking at details when
you have an open house. It's not like
a showing where they briefly walk
through and leave. Your house should
be as clean as it can be. In particular,
pay attention to the kitchen and the
bathrooms. Make sure all surfaces are
dusted and the floors are clean. If you
have to hire a cleaning service, do it.
3 Light and Airy
Take some time to clean the
windows inside and out. Open all the
blinds and let as much natural light
in as possible. Turn on all the lights in
the house. This will give your home an
additional feeling of spaciousness. A
bright house also has a cheery, upbeat
feeling.
Turn down the air conditioning this
time of year, so the home is pleasantly
cool in contrast to the Alabama heat.
4 Music
Tasteful music playing in the
background can lend a feeling of
elegance to your open house. Soft jazz
or classical are two good choices. Make
sure it's not so loud that it overpowers
your guests' ability to talk and otherwise
concentrate on your home.
5 Packet of Information
Be prepared with information
packets that potential buyers can take
with them when they leave. Some
important things to include (if you have
them) are a survey, appraisal, pictures of
the interior and exterior and a list of the
salient facts (like the price) and features
of the home. Later, when they are trying
to make a decision about which homes
to pursue, your home will stand out
in their minds because they have this
information.
It takes a little work and
preparation, but if you follow these
steps (and have a good Realtor) you
will have a successful open house. Soon
enough, you'll be on your way to the
closing table. In the meantime, we'll
keep giving you the tips and tricks of the
trade to help you along the way.
Elizabeth Dougherty, a resident of
Auburn, is a former Real Estate Broker
and Mortage Broker. She can be
reached at EADougherty1@aol.com.
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