You’ve decided to sell your Westfield home. One of the tips I previously wrote about to sell it quickly is to let it show. By that, I mean that you need to be willing to let people come look at it at any time. This could take the form of a scheduled open house or private showings. If you prepare for your Westfield open house or a private tour now, it could help alleviate any last-minute stress they might cause.

How to Prepare for Your Westfield Open House

A Clean Home is a Sold Home

It should go without saying, but the first step in preparing for your Westfield open house is to make sure everything is spotless. Carpets, upholstery, drapes, etc. should be deep cleaned, especially if smokers or pets reside in your home. Clear off the countertops in your kitchen and bathroom. Empty all your trash cans. Make up the beds. If you maintain a clean home, then you’re always ready to receive prospective buyers…even with only a few minutes notice.

Keep the Pet-Sitter on Standby

For many American households, our pets are part of our family. But buyers may not think so highly of them. Some may be allergic while others might just prefer not to have animals in the house. To appeal to the widest array of buyers, keep your pets away from your Westfield open house. Take your canine to the dog park. Ask a neighbor or family friend to watch them. For cats, you may want to kennel them. Keep bird cages outside. For more exotic animals, it may be time for them to stay with a friend until after your home’s sold. Pick up your pet’s toys, beds, empty litter boxes, etc. and store them neatly on a shelf in the garage.

Store Your Valuables (and “Not so Valuables”)

Buyers scan every inch of your property. Therefore, you may want to store certain items beforehand. Prepare for your Westfield open house by making sure these items are inaccessible to wandering eyes. Financial documents and jewelry should be a no-brainer. Keep them in a locked filing cabinet, a safe or lockbox. You may even want to keep them in your office at work for temporary safekeeping. Don’t leave your mail or magazines out. Google makes it easy for someone to look up your name online and find out all kinds of information about you. This info could then be used for nefarious purposes.

Then, there are the “not so valuables”. These are the things that need to be moved out of sight because they may create the wrong impression. They include ashtrays, space heaters, desk or floor fans, and political items. Ashtrays remind buyers that a smoker lives there. Space heaters say “this house is drafty”. Likewise, extra fans may indicate that it gets too hot. And with today’s political climate, you don’t want to alienate your buyers with anything related to politics left lying around.

Now Make Yourself Scarce

When your Westfield open house is scheduled to take place, you need to go away. Let your Westfield REALTOR@ handle the traffic and any questions that may come up. Schedule some spa time. Take a long walk. Go for a picnic at the park. See a movie. Go out to lunch. Visit with friends. Shop. Spend some “me” time away from your home so that buyers can look in peace.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes