The Ultimate Open House Prep Checklist: Bathroom Edition

It may not be the grandest room in the house, but the bathroom is one of the most important when it comes to selling your home. Buyers want as many bathrooms as they can afford, and they want them pristine. So, if you’re getting set to host an open house, it’s time to spiff yours up! Here’s exactly what you need to do to get it ready:

Clean everything. You know this already: There’s nothing worse than walking into an open house and finding mildew, scum, hair (or worse) in and around the tub, toilet, and sink. Give your bathroom the kind of deep cleaning you’d usually reserve for when the in-laws visit. Ask yourself, “What would Martha Stewart think?” No rings around the tub, no soap scum on the shower door, no beard clippings in the sink. Use a mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make mirrors sparkle—it’s an old-school recipe that gets fabulous results (just remember to wipe away streaks with either newspaper or a microfiber towel).

Hide your toiletries. That means toothbrushes, contact lens kits, loose makeup containers, hairspray bottles—anything that could clutter up your countertop goes into the medicine cabinet, under the sink, or wherever it won’t be seen.

Then put out nicer ones. Now is the time to break out those triple-milled imported soaps, or a nice handsoap and lotion duo. Think hotel bathroom.

Remove prescription drugs. We can’t stress this one enough. If you have a medicine cabinet full of allergy meds, sleeping pills, or anything else your doctor may have prescribed, either lock it in a safe or take it with you when you leave during the open house.

Stock toilet paper. A well-organized bathroom has plenty of toilet paper at the ready. The person who needs it will appreciate it. Though we’re not suggesting that open house visitors use your loo.

Keep that toilet seat down. While we’re on the subject of toilets, the seat should always be down and the lid closed. Always.

Test the water pressure. During my years as a Chicago real estate broker, I saw buyers turn on the shower and the faucet and flush the toilet. They’re checking your water pressure. If it runs at a trickle, get your plumber to take a look.

Fix those drips. If your sink has a slow drip, fix it. A drip isn’t just annoying; to buyers, it’s a sign you might be letting other, bigger things go.

Make it bright. A dimly lit bathroom can make even the cleanest space appear grimy. Try installing a few natural light bulbs to give the appearance of sunshine.

Clear out the library. You may be proud of your bathroom’s collection of old Architectural Digests, New Yorkers, and Teen Vogues. But it’s time to move them to the recycling.

Show off that shower. If your shower is a showstopper, show it off! Pull back the curtain to reveal those coordinating glass tile borders or decorative mosaics you invested all that time and money in.

Fix that fan. A loud exhaust fan is a no-no. If the bathroom exhaust system is audibly exhausting, it might be cheaper to replace it than to have it repaired. Most new fans have a sound rating measured by sones. Be sure to buy one rated at 1.0 sones or less, as advised by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Say it with flowers. Heavy air fresheners can be off-putting, but a vase with fresh flowers goes a long way. Orchids, hydrangeas, and eucalyptus all add a pleasant scent to a small space—and give potential buyers a reason to smile.

Stage the tub. Whirlpool bathtubs may no longer be the sought-after luxury item they once were, but the idea of a drawn bath remains appealing. Stage your tub by placing flameless candles around it and setting a favorite book and a stack of towels nearby, all to conjure up images of “me time.” (There’s no need to fill the tub with water, though!)

Upgrade your towels. The easiest way to gussy up a bathroom is to change the towels. Invest in fluffy new ones that pop with color (especially if the walls are a neutral shade), and fold them in three parts so no edges show.

Nix the rugs. Rugs are necessary, but they’re not always the most attractive aspect of a bathroom. Leave the floor bare—it makes the space look cleaner and roomier, and gives buyers the chance to see a (we hope) nice floor. Which you swept clean, right? Right!

Reposted from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/open-house-bathroom-checklist-2/

How to Get Your Home Ready for an Open House: Security Edition

Holding an open house is an act of faith. You clean, declutter, and prepare your home to look its best, hoping at least one of the visitors will fall in love enough to make an offer, preferably all-cash. At the same time, open houses are invitations to strangers to walk among your most prized possessions, often with only a single real estate agent present—and so there are very real security concerns, for agents and homeowners alike.

At least 40% of the agents surveyed by the National Association of Realtors® for its 2015 Member Safety Report say they have experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety: Vacant houses, model homes, properties in remote areas, and open houses all caused trepidation. The study found that many now carry weapons for self-defense—no wonder when agents have been killed in the past.

For homeowners, however, self-defense takes place long before strangers show up at the door—and start looking in the refrigerator, the cabinets, the pantry. (A Maryland woman recently went to jail for stealing jewelry from open houses.) You probably know to lock up or take away valuables, but here are a few more things to remember:

Say ‘No’ to drugs

Remove all prescription drugs from your medicine cabinet, even the ones you think are harmless. There are so many tales of open house visitors rifling through medicine cabinets and taking a few pills, or even whole bottles. In comments on our site, a user calling himself Larry Kean described this very thing, saying people are looking for “abusable” drugs. Likewise, another user, Rose Eneri, wrote that her friend “found a guy looking through her medicine cabinet” at an open house: “Easy pickings for a drug addict or dealer.”

Control your remotes

Most people don’t think about the extra garage remote they leave dangling from a hook near the back door. It’s small and easy to slip into a pocket, so take it with you when you leave for the open house. One commenter wrote that an open house visitor may have taken the garage remote, then returned later to steal the homeowner’s Lexus! All keys, remotes, and fobs should either be locked away or in your pocket.

File this under ‘Lock & Key’

There’s a trend in home office decor to make file cabinets pretty and portable—but portability and security are not always compatible. Buy a heavy, nonrolling commercial-grade filing cabinet that locks—and into it put your important documents: birth and marriage certificates, financial statements, basically any legal, medical, or personal information you wouldn’t want falling into someone else’s hands. Identity theft is real and should be taken seriously.

What about my 50-inch flat-screen?

While it’s unlikely that anyone could walk out of your open house with your TV or other large electronics, they could come back for it. That’s why the next item is so important:

It ain’t over till you check your doors & windows

While agents will go through to make sure all lights are off and the house is in good condition after an open house, they might not check the doors. Unscrupulous people have been known to unlock a window or basement door with the thought of returning later. After the open house, walk through your house and check every window (even on the second floor), gate, and door to be certain that they’re all locked.

Reposted from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/open-house-security-homeowners/

The Importance Of An Open House

Getting into a house is important.

There’s a magical connection when most buyers walk into their future home for the first time.

It is a sort of love affair — the light, the space, the promise of happy times and comfortable surroundings.

This isn’t necessarily true to everyone. Some buyers grow to love their prospective home after visiting it a couple of times.

In all situations, being in the home is a key element to deciding on whether or not to buy a particular house.

So, getting inside the house is critical.


Well, it just got a bit easier.


The Super Open House Sunday directory will help buyers make it a great day to go see some houses.

‘IT’S THE EXPOSURE’
The importance of an open house is tremendous, from all sides of the home buying equation.
For sellers and agents, it is a chance for several buyers to visit the home at one time. The more people who see the house, the more likelihood one of them will be the potential buyer.
“It’s the exposure,” said Susan Milling of PRUDENTIAL GARDNER, Realtors. “In this very challenging market, the more exposure you can create for your listings, the more people will come through.”
Buyers can use the open house as a chance to get into the space and get a feeling for the house, the relationship of rooms to each other and how the floor plan may or may not work for their situation.
As one professional said, homes are like “apples, oranges and grapes — no two are alike.”
While going through an open house, the buyer has the chance to compare kitchens to kitchens, bedrooms to bedrooms and bathrooms to bathrooms.
These showings afford buyers great information — even those who might not be in the market for a new home.
“Open houses on Sunday are an education for
        everyone,” said Margaret Stewart of LATTER & BLUM, Inc., Realtors. Those who might not be interested in buying may find a home or find out about another home that is a dream come true.
“Even if you’re not in the market, you end up going to the house and falling in love with the house.”

NEIGHBORHOOD VIEW
Buyers also can take a look at the neighborhood, seeing first-hand the adjacent homes.
Open houses “give the general public the idea of different areas of the city to live in,” said Todd Todesco of KELLER WILLIAMS, Realty.
Actually going to the house can also show the buyer the ease of access to the neighborhood from various parts of the city, plus the relationship of the home site to schools, churches and retail options.
“I think it gives the buyers an opportunity to see what’s out there,” said Karen Prieur of RE/MAX New Orleans Properties. “It enables them to understand what’s on the market.”
For the real estate professional, the open house can be a chance to see and be seen. Buyers get a chance to meet an agent and agents can meet a buyer that might be perfect for that property or another.
Buyers can also meet agents familiar with the area, well-versed in the neighborhood and the ambiance of the region.
An open house also provides buyers with something else: the luxury of time and plenty to look at.
Buyers can “look at your own pace and then go onto the next house,” said Phoebe Whealdon of COLDWELL BANKER TEC Realtors. “It’s a great way to get exposed to many houses in a short amount of time.”

MAP OUT A PLAN
Realtors share many good stories about recent open houses, with high viewer turnout and an increase in interest in the area.
So look for more open house listings.
Nothing compares to seeing a house in person. All the senses combine to tell the buyer that “this one” is the right one.
Use the listings of the Super Open House Sunday Directory on the back page of this section to map out a plan to see as many homes as possible. And check this section every Sunday for a listing of open houses.
As the saying goes, make a plan and “work that plan.” Happy house hunting.

Victor M. Andrews
Special Sections Staff writer
Victor Andrews can be reached at vandrews@timespicayune.com

Open House Tips For Buyers
Open houses offer excellent chances for buyers to see several houses at one time.
Be prepared when headed out to look for that special place to live.
• Use the directory of open houses to research in advance properties that might be of interest.  The Times-Picayune Super Open House Sunday Classifieds and community news sections (Picayunes), as well as, nola.com, are important resources. Find out if the house has enough bedrooms, the right price, etc.
• To maximize the number of houses to be seen, make a list of the addresses and plan the best route. A bit of forethought can increase the number of homes on the “to view” list.
• Bring a camera in case you find the perfect house. Ask the showing agent if you can take photos to remember certain things about the house.
• Talk to the agents showing the homes. They can answer questions about the residence. They can also provide information about other homes that might be potential dwellings for you. For those buyers without an agent, this is a great chance to meet a real estate professional who will be a perfect match for your needs.
• Footwear, believe it or not, is important. Opt for comfortable shoes that do not scuff or leave marks. There will be walking and standing involved, so be prepared.
• For some buyers, there are special needs for special pieces of furniture. A tape measure can be invaluable for finding out how much space is available for certain items.

Open House Tips for Sellers
Preparing for an open house should be no different than preparing the house to be put on the market.
But there are some things to consider when a seller knows the home will be visited by several people in one day.
Just remember a few concepts and make the most of the moment:
• Remove as much clutter as possible. Less things in a room make the room look bigger and it also makes it easier for potential buyers to picture their things in the room.
• Don’t forget to declutter closets and cabinets. Buyers will be opening doors to look inside. Well-organized storage makes a good impression.
• Make certain all the lighting fixtures are on, have working bulbs and are clean. Buyers are switch-hitters and will be turning on the lights (if the lights are not already on).
• Open drapes, blinds and shades to let in natural light and give potential buyers a view of the well-kept yard.
• Keep fragrances (and odors) in the home as neutral as possible. Freshly baked cookies or a lighted odor-reducing candle can send a message that all the senses are important in a home. Just be careful of placement and of an overpowering scent.
• Pets should be protected — for themselves and the visitors. This is a great time for an outing for all the animals.
• Items of great value, both sentimental and financial, should be protected from accidental damage. The best idea is to remove them.
• Protect prescription drugs (again, remove them).
• Find somewhere else to be. The real estate agent will be able to handle the situation. The agent can also help with any of these tips and also offer additional suggestions for getting ready.

Reposted from: http://blog.nola.com/realestate/2011/01/selling_solutions.html