Make Your Open Home A Success
Open homes are an important way to catch the eye of potential buyers and invite them to fall in love with your property.
Here are 10 top tips to ensure your home makes the right kind of first impression with house hunters.
1. Lighten up
Make the home feel open and inviting by turning the lights on and opening curtains and blinds. On a sunny day open doors leading to outdoor entertaining areas.
2. De-personalise
Buyers want to picture themselves living in a property, so remove anything that’s too personal, like family photos.
3. De-clutter
Less is more. Remove ornaments that make the place feel cluttered, keep the kitchen benches clear, tidy the pantry and get rid of coats or shoes you usually keep by the front door.
4. Think about the small things
Small touches can make all the difference. Make your bathrooms look nice by removing half-empty shampoo bottles from the shower, tuck away your toothbrushes, put out fresh towels, remove washing from the line and pop the toilet seat down.
5. Increase street appeal
Make a good first impression by ensuring the front of your property is tidy and well presented. A fresh lick of paint on the front fence and front door, waterblasting decks, driveways, paths and a house wash are easy ways of making the place look its best. Consider hiring some eye-catching potted plants to cost-effectively add a drop of style.
6. Clean up
It might seem obvious, but give the place a thorough spring clean. That includes organising the insides of your cupboards and wardrobes as house hunters will take a peek inside.
7. Think about your pets
Sure, you love the family poodle, but potential buyers might not. Get the carpet shampooed to remove any odours and keep your pets off the property during open homes.
8. Make every room count
Buyers won’t be able to picture themselves hosting a dinner party if your dining room is piled high with storage boxes or filing cabinets. Make sure every room is selling itself. Put beds in all the bedrooms and clear out the “stuff” that has collected in your garage.
9. Fix everything on your “I’ll get around to it” list
Is the latch on the front gate broken? Does the lock on the bathroom door not work? Have old screws left holes in the wall? Patch up and repair the small issues around your home, so buyers see the property’s potential and not the list of DIY they’ll have to sign up to.
10. Home staging
Consider hiring a professional staging company to really bring your house to life. Interior design know-how goes a long way in making a home look its best. A statement couch and on-trend accessories can help your property feel more modern, increasing the emotional appeal of the property in the buyer’s mind.
Let my 29 years of Real Estate industry knowledge, property marketing and negotiations see you through your next selling and buying journey. Just contact me and I will take it from there.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
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