Susie Shortsleeve Explains the Pros and Cons of Having an Open House

 
 
June 5, 2013 - PRLog -- If you’ve decided to sell your house, you’ve likely begun the process of cleaning, purging, and staging your home for sale. At some point, you’re probably going to think about whether you want to hold an open house to increase visibility to your home and draw in more prospective buyers.

There are varying schools of thought as to whether holding an open house actually increases your chances of making a sale. While an agent who has never landed a sale following an open house may counsel you that it isn’t worth your time to have one, another agent may have found that open houses have been wildly successful in the quest for the perfect buyer. Here are just a few considerations that might influence your decision:

Pros

More “bang for your buck.”
Keeping your home show-ready can be hard work, particularly if you have small children or pets. Trying to draw in multiple prospective buyers by holding an open house that lasts one afternoon might mean fewer private showings, resulting in less frequent last-minute preparation and staging.

Reduced fear factor. An open house allows visitors a less intimidating way to view your home. Without an agent hovering over their every move, potential buyers might actually get a better feel for whether they can see themselves living in your house.

Picture perfect. It takes time to make your home as inviting as possible. If you have time to get things just right, your house can really shine – and you won’t be running out the door wondering whether you emptied all the wastebaskets or left the dryer on. An open house provides an opportunity to show your house at its best – a freshly mown lawn, cut flowers in vases, or a plate of cookies waiting on the kitchen counter can make your house seem more welcoming and “homey.”

Unexpected interest. You might attract buyers who weren’t actively looking or who don’t have an agent aiding in their home search if they can casually visit an open house rather than having to make an appointment.  

Learning opportunity. Your agent will be able to get a feel for the amount of interest in your house based on the traffic at an open house. By talking to a variety of prospective buyers, he or she can elicit some feedback so that you can modify your sale accordingly – perhaps buyers feel that your asking price is too high or that some key repairs could increase your home’s appeal.

Cons

Stranger danger.
Some sellers worry about virtual strangers traipsing through their home unsupervised. One way to alleviate concerns that arise is to make certain that all valuables and personal items are locked away or removed from the property altogether. It’s important to remember that any time strangers enter your home, there can be a slight risk of theft.

Damage control. When you allow people into your home – friends or strangers – there’s always the possibility of damage. Visitors can get a little too cozy with your belongings. Resulting damage might be as slight as having dirt tracked onto your clean floors or it could be something more serious, like a cherished vase being smashed to smithereens – which is another argument for stowing valuables in a secure place.

The wrong crowd. Some people worry that an open house will draw in casual shoppers without serious intent to buy, such as curious browsers or nosy neighbors. Certainly some of these visitors may stop by, but the bottom line is that more eyes on your property means more buzz around town.

Vacating the premises. Family and pets have to be off the premises for an extended period of time, which can be particularly difficult with small children. Unless you have somewhere to go or a planned activity, it can be tedious to fill long hours away from home.

Outdated marketing. Some agents argue that the advent of the online or “virtual” tour has replaced the need for an open house. But most people would agree that a location can’t be fully experienced through pictures alone. Serious buyers will seize the opportunity to see your home in person.

In the end, the choice to hold an open house rests entirely on the seller. There’s no “just right” answer for every homeowner who’s putting a house on the market, but your real estate agent will be able to guide you to the decision that’s best for you.

Contact: Jillian Gregoriou

Email: Jillian@exposeyourselfpr.com

Tel: 617-797-9869
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