The document provides 6 insider secrets for preparing for an open house: 1) Visit other open houses to see how competitors present their homes; 2) Pretend to move out and pack up most possessions; 3) Invite neighbors who may know potential buyers; 4) Enlist neighbors to help the open house run smoothly; 5) Help your neighbor with an unkept property if it could impact perceptions; 6) Neutralize decor so the widest range of buyers are attracted rather than expressing a unique style. The document encourages sellers to prepare their home to make the best possible impression on prospective buyers visiting an open house.

1. 6 Insider Secrets for Open House
Prep

2. 1.Visit other open houses in your neighborhood, city
and/or price range. Get a feel for how the competition is
putting its best foot forward to prospective buyers - or
not, as the case may be. This exercise of seeing how clean
and pristine, well-decorated and neutralized
(in odor and decor) some
listings are, and seeing how
basically clean, but well-lived
in properties, appear to be
down at the heels by comparison,
will help you see your own place
through new eyes: the eyes of
prospective buyers who will be
making those same comparisons
with your house.

3. 2. Move. Okay, you don’t have to move all the
way out, but you should do a pre-move packing
session. Literally, pretend you’re moving (if
things go well, you will be) and pack up almost
everything you like or need to use on a daily
basis. And remember - they open
closets, drawers, cupboards and garages.
Consider renting a storage space if you need to.

4. 3. Invite the neighbors. Yes, your neighbors are
probably looky loos, just salivating to get a glimpse
into how you live. But there’s a good chance
they are also aware of
other people who want
to live in their neighbor-
hood, and vested in your
getting good neighbors. So,
invite them - stranger things
have happened than a neighbor
attending an open house, then letting a house
hunting friend know that they must go take a look.

5. 4. Enlist the neighbors. Even if your neighbors don’t
personally know someone who is in the market for
a place in your neck of the woods, they want your
home to sell at top dollar - remember, your home’s
sale will form the basis for their home’s value!
So, while you're inviting the neighbors to attend, be
aware of whether there's anything they can do to
make your Open House run smoothly - and ask!
Things like moving their cars to free up street
parking for attendees and not having their kid
practice his trombone in the backyard during that
particular 3 hours Sunday afternoon are favors
almost any good neighbor will be happy to do.

6. 5. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. This one’s not for
everyone, and you’ll have to exercise good
judgment to decide how far to go with it, but if you
happen to live next door to the blighted house on
the block - the one with waist high grass and cars
parked on it - it might make sense to reach out and
offer some help to your struggling neighbor. (Even
if your home is amazing, some buyers will just not
live next to a place like that.)

7. 6. Get over yourself. You know how you like to
brag that your taste, your personal style, is
eclectic? That you’re a trendsetter?. The goal in
preparing your home for an Open House is to
neutralize the decor, so that the broadest possible
number of people will crave to live
there. So, instead of insisting on using this
moment in time to express your,unique design
leanings, let your agent (or a pro stager) help you
decide what should stay and what should go.

8. Buyers: what do you wish sellers of the Open
Houses you’ve visited lately would have
done? How could they have made a bigger
positive impact on your impressions of the
home?

9. Randy Bett
Investment Realtor/Author/Investor
Real Estate Professionals Inc.
Better Group Real Estate
202-5403 Crowchild Trail NW
Calgary, AB T3B 4Z1
Phone:403-774-7464 Ext:1
Fax:403-208-0082
Toll Free fax:888-711-6801

10. Randy Bett
www.BetterGroupRealEstate.ca