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How To Prepare For An Open House Inspection
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN OPEN INSPECTION
You only get one chance to make a great first impression for potential buyers coming to look at your property and as Barbara Corcoran said, "buyers decide in the first eight seconds of seeing a home if they’re interested in buying it" so if you want to prepare for an inspection, there are a few things you can do before the big day.
In order to prepare your property for a successful inspection, follow this easy check list of simple tips to put your property's best foot forward and get you that step closer to a successful sale.
1. Ensure your property is clean and tidy
You will be surprised how much mess and clutter can deter a buyer from considering your property and can create buyers finding other faults in the property as this creates a sense that the property has not been looked after. Instead of a buyer wanting to offer a maximum price for your property, they will find "excuses" and "reasons" to offer a lower price.
Avoid this by doing a thorough clean - make sure your property is neat and tidy for when buyers arrive, and do not forget the gardens and outdoor areas - to ensure buyers can capture the true potential of the property.
2. Let is some light and fresh air
Air out your property thoroughly before the inspection so it feels "fresh and clean" as buyers walk through. If the place feels stuffy, buyers will head straight for the door.
If the weather permits, leave the front door open, open a few windows during the inspection so there is a steady flow of fresh air.
Draw back curtains and/or blinds to bring in as much natural light as possible and keep all lights on during the inspection to capture the brightness of each space - no one likes a dark room they can't see anything in.
3. Remove pets from the property if you can
One of the most common complaints from potential buyers at inspections are those telltale signs that you share your property with yoru furry loved one. If they are not your pets, animal smells or stains can actively turn someone off your property.
Deodorise your property to remove the whiff of little creatures and clean traces of hair from floors and furniture, stow feeding bowls and toys, remove any litter boxes or droppings from the yard, and give your pets a vacation during inspections.
4. Add a few personal touches
A personal touch here and there helps your home feel less staged, and will often help prospective buyers to forge an emotional connection with your property for example, fresh flowers are a nice addition.
Bear in mind, though, that too much evidence of your life in the home can often overwhelm buyers and make it hard for them to emotionally connect with the property.
It’s about striking a balance between presenting a warm, homely environment and allowing enough mental space for a prospective buyer to imagine themselves living in your home – and often this means stowing away personal photographs.
5. Eliminate nasty odours
People fuss over the visual but often forget that a bad smell can make or break an open inspection.
Remove smells that are unpleasant with flowers, candles, air fresheners etc but do not go overboard - you want your property to smell like a home, not a perfumery.
6. Set the right temperature
Keep an eye on the weather and heat or cool your home so that it’s at an optimal temperature for buyers to walk through.
People shoudn’t raise a sweat or chill, and you need to demonstrate your property can effortlessly cope with the climate around it. You should be aiming to give them a cool or warm blast, depending on what’s most appropriate at that time.
7. Have paperwork ready
Though most buyers don’t get to the negotiating stage during a walk-through, it pays to be ready with all the information a visitor might want.
Work with your agent to ensure that all relevant paperwork is on display in the property during the inspection – ready to be reviewed or taken home by potential buyers.
The less buyers have to ask, the more at ease they’ll feel in the property and the more time they’ll have to imagine themselves in it.
And, just in case someone wants to snap your property up on the spot, you’ll have all you need to make that happen.
8. Make yourself scarce
While your house is getting the once over, you should leave potential buyers to wander your halls unencumbered and relaxed.
Coordinate with your agent and be ready to head out for a short time, taking any other family members or inhabitants with you (including the pets).
If you don’t want to leave entirely, consider setting up an area in the house or yard that can act as your retreat while buyers explore. This way, you’ll be around for a chat if people want to ask about the home or the area, but not so close people feel they can’t browse in peace.
Posted on 27 April 2023
Disclaimer: This blog post is not to be considered legal advice. If you are seeking specific legal advice we suggest that you consult a legal professional before making any significant decisions in this regard.