The open home and the seller

Things sellers often think:

“I think I’m the best person to show a buyer around my home.”

Buyers need ‘space’ to imagine themselves in the home, not you telling them how you use the spaces.

Your agent is the one with all the experience and expertise, so allow them to do what they are best at.

“You won’t be able to answer their questions.”

Through open discussion, you have given your agent an excellent and in-depth understanding of your home’s features.

Any questions your agent can’t address on the spot, they will bring to you for answers and then get back to the buyer, which is a good thing because it keeps the conversation flowing.

Knowing you are the owner of the property, a buyer may be too polite to ask the questions they really want to ask.

“I have so many things I want to tell them.”

Potential buyers like to look around and keep their thoughts to themselves.

If you talk at them, they may be so overwhelmed they won’t say a word.

You are at risk of telling them too much. What you are interested in, what’s important to you, may not be interesting or important to them.

If they want to know more, they will talk with the agent and return. buyers can choose to watch if they wish, but remember they generally have less than half hour in your home at the open home.

“I don’t think they will see how good the location is.”

This is information you will have given your agent.

Buyers tend to do their own research, driving around streets, checking out schools and local facilities.

What about putting up a display board, or a digital screen, with pictures to show them? A great point of difference that will help them remember your house!

“I don’t want just anybody buying my home.”

Selling is emotional but you can’t allow yourself to get personally involved with potential buyers. (That said, once they’ve bought you may become firm friends, sharing a common love, the house!)

“How will you keep an eye on strangers in my home?”

It is sensible to remove and secure any valuable items, prescription medications and poisons.

Your agent is experienced at conducting open homes, far more so than you. They will talk you through making your driveway and walkways safe and easy to navigate, having good lighting and placing signs by any really tricky spots.

When it’s raining, ask visitors to remove shoes to avoid potential slip and falls. Use doormats. What you can do to is to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is upto-date.

In almost all circumstances, the best place for the seller to be during an open home is away from the home. It doesn’t have to be far away, just somewhere to relax while your agent represents you and your home.

Here’s a better way to be of value. • List your favorite parts of their home and tell your agent why you love them. • Spend 15 minutes with the agent before the open home, just to talk openly and honestly about your expectations, and to listen to how much the agent knows about your home already. • Plan to do something you enjoy while the open home is on.

Maybe try that new coffee shop you’ve been dying to get to. Take the pets with you.

And in preparation, five of the best – • Appliances – have them looking as good as they can be, inside and out.

• A working sprinkler system (or remove it) • Window sills

• Clean screens

• Tidy pets’ toys, bedding, play and feeding areas

You and your agent share the same goal: to sell the property for the top dollar – so work together to achieve this.