Holding an open house can be an effective way to showcase your home, but proper marketing and staging are essential to ensure you put forth the best presentation possible. These five tips from our REALTORS® can help you attract more potential buyers and make your open house a resounding success.  

1. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing
   A vast majority of homebuyers use the internet to search for property, so having an online listing that stands out from the crowd is vital. Work with your realtor to create an engaging online and social media profile for your home: In addition to listing it on the MLS, put an ad in the Craigslist housing section and use social media and community sites like Nextdoor to promote your home. Work with your realtor to identify the parts of your home that will most appeal to buyers. Clean and stage your home inside and out before posting any pictures, and make sure to highlight its best features and all the benefits the neighborhood has to offer. 
   
   
2. Remove Clutter
   While the stuff in your home may seem warm and inviting to you, potential buyers want to envision themselves living there. Remove personal photos and clean up bookshelves, tables, and other surfaces, so they look orderly and neat. Remove everything from your kitchen countertops, including small appliances like toasters. Clear everything off the refrigerator and stow dish towels and pot holders in drawers. In the bathrooms, put all toiletries and medications away and spruce up bathrooms with fresh towels and pretty soaps. It's also a good idea to clean and organize cabinets and closets so potential buyers can get a good look at storage space.
   
   
3. Freshen Things Up with Minor Improvements
   Take a good look around your home and try to see it from a buyer's perspective: Replace outdated light fixtures, knobs, and handles and make sure windows, handrails and other little things are in good working order. Putting a fresh coat of paint in neutral colors in each room can make your house look updated and much more appealing to buyers. If bigger things like the roof need fixing, talk with your realtor about whether repairing them is worth the financial effort.
   
   
4. Clean Your House Inside and Out
   If you're short on time, consider hiring professional cleaners to give your house a thorough deep cleaning. Make sure to clean windows inside and out and make all surfaces sparkling clean. It's important to take care of the outdoor area too—many potential buyers drive by to take a look before attending an open house. Prune all bushes, remove any dead plants, cut the grass, clear the driveway and walkways, and make sure any porches or decks are free of clutter. Make sure to remove pets before your open house.
   
   
5. Work to Get People in the Door
   When it comes time for your open house, put up signs in your yard and nearby intersections a few days before that say "Open House on Sunday" or whatever day you plan on holding it. Tying balloons to the signs make them more visible and festive. Consider making your open house an event--offer refreshments and invite neighbors. Chatting with other people who live and work in the area can create a buzz and send homebuyers scrambling to make an offer. Create a color flyer with photos, specs, price and other pertinent information available--buyers will appreciate having these facts in hand when they get home.

To learn more about Beavercreek homes and how our experienced real estate professionals can help you stage the perfect open house, contact Wright-Patt Realty today!