I am trying my first open house on a FSBO. I've got my ads placed in the local papers and the house is ready. Any good tips or ideas of additional things I can do? Thanks!
[addsig]
As for signs, just make sure you comply with signage restrictions (either municipality or homeowners' association). Signs are a good idea, but better to have people coming to your house who know what it is and the price.
If your state requires written seller property disclosure statements, have copies of those prepared in quantity.
Have a sign-in sheet asked for names, addresses & phone numbers of people visting your open house. Think about what you are willing to do if a real estate agent shows up (with or without a prospective buyer). Follow-up by phone with all visitors who appear to have some interest.
If you have made improvements (new appliances, windows, roof, etc.), have that info at hand.
If you haven't already done so, prepare a property flyer or sheet with photo summarizing your property, room dimensions, amenities, taxes, etc. If you have an actual floorplan, include that. That's a great tool since buyers won't have to remember the floorplan.
Have at your fingertips info on sales in your subdivision or other comparable properties in the area.
Have information on financing programs available from some mortgage companies.
If someone (you or anyone else) is currently living in the house, make sure you remove any personal articles of value so that they don't "walk" out the door.
Be mindful of your personal security as well. Not trying to scare you, but sometimes people visit open houses to case them for future break-ins, and real estate agents have been killed or assaulted at properties.
Quote:
On 2004-03-01 10:46, NancyChadwick wrote:
As for signs, just make sure you comply with signage restrictions (either municipality or homeowners' association). Signs are a good idea, but better to have people coming to your house who know what it is and the price.
If your state requires written seller property disclosure statements, have copies of those prepared in quantity.
Have a sign-in sheet asked for names, addresses & phone numbers of people visting your open house. Think about what you are willing to do if a real estate agent shows up (with or without a prospective buyer). Follow-up by phone with all visitors who appear to have some interest.
If you have made improvements (new appliances, windows, roof, etc.), have that info at hand.
If you haven't already done so, prepare a property flyer or sheet with photo summarizing your property, room dimensions, amenities, taxes, etc. If you have an actual floorplan, include that. That's a great tool since buyers won't have to remember the floorplan.
Have at your fingertips info on sales in your subdivision or other comparable properties in the area.
Have information on financing programs available from some mortgage companies.
If someone (you or anyone else) is currently living in the house, make sure you remove any personal articles of value so that they don't "walk" out the door.
Be mindful of your personal security as well. Not trying to scare you, but sometimes people visit open houses to case them for future break-ins, and real estate agents have been killed or assaulted at properties.
Nancy,
Wow I have truly appreciated your sterling presence on this site!
Ever thought of becoming a judge?
You have the stuff.
Bandit signs are illegal here in Austin.
Not saying they don't work...just against city ordinance.
Anyway, as per your remark on personal safety: I have a friend who started out as a property manager in Houston and eventually made lots of $ in CRI. She has a black belt in ...Tai Kwan Do. She told me some real horror stories about people getting lured into dangerous situations. (including herself but pity the poor perp!) She began offering self defense workshops for property managers, etc. and even did some for the local Women's Self Defense school.
She has some ...shall we say...serious techniques. Now she uses them in forays into the Amazon. (another saga).
What I do is use my (serious) intuition and my 2 big (obedient) dogs...but if I were assaulted once then I'd probably be motivated to get a crash course from her.
Too bad but that's our world.
On a lighter note, I got a call recently to play violin for an open house...a rather Grand home for sale (Austin has a lot of millionaires). Not my usual gig, for sure. But it goes to the point that people are certainly effected by ambiance...including sound, smell, etc.
It seems to me that having live music at an open house could serve to make the seller look anxious.
Personally I like small fountains and roasted cinnamon almost as much as Vivaldi these days .
Again, Nancy, thank you for sharing your Intelligence with us so generously.
Some trivial helpers/additions
Open all windows to freshen the place
Vanilla drop baked on an oven pan to give the whole hose a sweet smell
All said supporting literature and anything that can help a buyer (as seen in other post)
Juice and cookies
Let the group wander wile you give each one time - nice to have a partner handle the group while you go through with people giving them good time.
Thanks. Just call me "Judge Nancy". I happen to love Vivaldi, but I'm not a big fan of having music at open houses because whatever is playing, someone is likely to find the music distracting. No TV's on either. People should be focusing on the property.
dave41082,
When you're visiting an open house (assuming you go without a real estate agent)... I would take my time going through if my first impression was favorable. It often helps to have another pair of eyes, so take a friend. Pick up copies of all handouts, including seller disclosure statement. If there's a listing agent, remember the agent is representing the seller, so be guided accordingly. Walk around the outside and the yard after you've seen the interior. Also a good idea for you to have some sense of the sales comps before you see the property. Helps to put price in perspective.
signs and baloons get people to my open houses. Very corney, but it works.
As for signs, just make sure you comply with signage restrictions (either municipality or homeowners' association). Signs are a good idea, but better to have people coming to your house who know what it is and the price.
If your state requires written seller property disclosure statements, have copies of those prepared in quantity.
Have a sign-in sheet asked for names, addresses & phone numbers of people visting your open house. Think about what you are willing to do if a real estate agent shows up (with or without a prospective buyer). Follow-up by phone with all visitors who appear to have some interest.
If you have made improvements (new appliances, windows, roof, etc.), have that info at hand.
If you haven't already done so, prepare a property flyer or sheet with photo summarizing your property, room dimensions, amenities, taxes, etc. If you have an actual floorplan, include that. That's a great tool since buyers won't have to remember the floorplan.
Have at your fingertips info on sales in your subdivision or other comparable properties in the area.
Have information on financing programs available from some mortgage companies.
If someone (you or anyone else) is currently living in the house, make sure you remove any personal articles of value so that they don't "walk" out the door.
Be mindful of your personal security as well. Not trying to scare you, but sometimes people visit open houses to case them for future break-ins, and real estate agents have been killed or assaulted at properties.
Good info, Nancy.
What about the flipside of the coin? What do you need to make sure to do when you are visiting an open house and thinking about buying?
Quote:
On 2004-03-01 10:46, NancyChadwick wrote:
As for signs, just make sure you comply with signage restrictions (either municipality or homeowners' association). Signs are a good idea, but better to have people coming to your house who know what it is and the price.
If your state requires written seller property disclosure statements, have copies of those prepared in quantity.
Have a sign-in sheet asked for names, addresses & phone numbers of people visting your open house. Think about what you are willing to do if a real estate agent shows up (with or without a prospective buyer). Follow-up by phone with all visitors who appear to have some interest.
If you have made improvements (new appliances, windows, roof, etc.), have that info at hand.
If you haven't already done so, prepare a property flyer or sheet with photo summarizing your property, room dimensions, amenities, taxes, etc. If you have an actual floorplan, include that. That's a great tool since buyers won't have to remember the floorplan.
Have at your fingertips info on sales in your subdivision or other comparable properties in the area.
Have information on financing programs available from some mortgage companies.
If someone (you or anyone else) is currently living in the house, make sure you remove any personal articles of value so that they don't "walk" out the door.
Be mindful of your personal security as well. Not trying to scare you, but sometimes people visit open houses to case them for future break-ins, and real estate agents have been killed or assaulted at properties.
Nancy,
Wow I have truly appreciated your sterling presence on this site!
Ever thought of becoming a judge?
You have the stuff.
Bandit signs are illegal here in Austin.
Not saying they don't work...just against city ordinance.
Anyway, as per your remark on personal safety: I have a friend who started out as a property manager in Houston and eventually made lots of $ in CRI. She has a black belt in ...Tai Kwan Do. She told me some real horror stories about people getting lured into dangerous situations. (including herself but pity the poor perp!) She began offering self defense workshops for property managers, etc. and even did some for the local Women's Self Defense school.
She has some ...shall we say...serious techniques. Now she uses them in forays into the Amazon. (another saga).
What I do is use my (serious) intuition and my 2 big (obedient) dogs...but if I were assaulted once then I'd probably be motivated to get a crash course from her.
Too bad but that's our world.
On a lighter note, I got a call recently to play violin for an open house...a rather Grand home for sale (Austin has a lot of millionaires). Not my usual gig, for sure. But it goes to the point that people are certainly effected by ambiance...including sound, smell, etc.
It seems to me that having live music at an open house could serve to make the seller look anxious.
Personally I like small fountains and roasted cinnamon almost as much as Vivaldi these days .
Again, Nancy, thank you for sharing your Intelligence with us so generously.
Dersu
Scouting, Hunting, Gathering
almost
Some trivial helpers/additions
Open all windows to freshen the place
Vanilla drop baked on an oven pan to give the whole hose a sweet smell
All said supporting literature and anything that can help a buyer (as seen in other post)
Juice and cookies
Let the group wander wile you give each one time - nice to have a partner handle the group while you go through with people giving them good time.
Dersu,
Thanks. Just call me "Judge Nancy". I happen to love Vivaldi, but I'm not a big fan of having music at open houses because whatever is playing, someone is likely to find the music distracting. No TV's on either. People should be focusing on the property.
dave41082,
When you're visiting an open house (assuming you go without a real estate agent)... I would take my time going through if my first impression was favorable. It often helps to have another pair of eyes, so take a friend. Pick up copies of all handouts, including seller disclosure statement. If there's a listing agent, remember the agent is representing the seller, so be guided accordingly. Walk around the outside and the yard after you've seen the interior. Also a good idea for you to have some sense of the sales comps before you see the property. Helps to put price in perspective.