Open houses in LA are a double-edged sword. While they are one of the most lucrative methods of drumming up interest in your property, an open house can spell disaster if you aren’t prepared. If you are planning on hosting an open house, then here are seven tips that will help you and your property make it thru your special day in one piece.

Cleaning
Hide the clutter and make sure your house is spotless. Dirty houses net lower bids. Make sure to clean light and plumbing fixtures and have someone else go through your home to point out dirt you aren’t seeing, like on door jambs, cupboard doors, ceilings, and walls.

Repairs
Buyers attending open houses tend to focus on the negatives. If your house is in need of repairs make sure they have been completed prior to the showing. Painting, shampooing carpets and cleaning air defusers are all part of regular household maintenance. Make sure to shore up the wear and tear before you open your doors.

Stay Out
You will need to be out from underfoot during your showing. Arrange for daycare, pet sitting and meals so you don’t need to “stop in” during this time. Because you aren’t there it is important to secure all of your valuables. As a precaution, it is also best to empty your medicine cabinet and lock up any personal papers that may be accessible by unscrupulous “buyers”.

Odor
Every home has a smell. If you are currently residing in the home you are selling make sure that food, garbage, and pet odors are well-managed. Do not cook strong-smelling foods and consider having your pets stay elsewhere for several days prior to the date of your open house.

Pests
Pests are never on any buyer’s “must have” list. If you’ve got them (and most houses have some!), make sure you have an exterminator visit in advance. Nothing will scare off a buyer faster than signs of an infestation.

Know Your Limits
If your house is not in good repair, is in need of serious remodeling or has major cosmetic flaws, holding an open house can really hurt you. If an open house isn’t going to highlight what makes your home a great buy it will likely end up highlighting what makes it a bad choice instead.

Chin Up
Holding an open house can be a lot of work, but your investment will pay off. The more time and money you put into making your house look its best the more likely your prospective buyers will take notice. Keep in mind that even when you’ve done everything right there is no guaranteed sale. Be prepared to hold several open houses – and treat each one like it will be your last. Keeping a positive attitude is key to getting through the process of selling your home.

For some homeowners, an open house just isn’t something they are prepared to deal with. The amount of time, effort, and money that can go into making your house look and feel great is more of an investment then they can afford to make. If you believe that finding the time, money and attitude needed to succeed is just too much, Contact Seller’s Advantage online or call us at 1-800-208-3243 to start reading our BBB and Yelp reviews on our SellersAdvantage.com reviews page a no-cost, no-obligation quote on your home. We purchase homes in AS-IS condition and can give you a cash offer in as little as 24 hours.

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