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Having an Open House this weekend
Dose anybody have any tips, I am already going to make cookies. Any other tips?
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Posted 3/30/06 1:07 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
BrunetteMom
LIF Adult
Member since 8/05 1480 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Make sure that there is light coming in through the windows. No clutter. candles.
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| Posted 3/30/06 1:11 PM |
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Cheryl
Horray for 3 boys!!
Member since 5/05 2354 total posts
Name:
Mikey, Greg & TJ's Mommy
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I agree- no clutter- have all your tables, endtables as clear as possible.
Limit your personal photos around the house (wedding pics etc.) you want people to visualize themselves in the house.
Have clean windows, open the blinds.
Turn on every light.
Straighten up the closets since people will be opening them.
IMO- I disagree with the cookie baking. It is an overpowering smell sometimes and can be nauseating. I'd just open the windows beforehand and have the house very well aired out.
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| Posted 3/30/06 2:24 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
regarding the candles....
DH and I have looked at about 30-40 homes in the past few months. I personally hate when they burn those stinky Yankee candles. they are SO strong and I always feel like the seller is trying to hide something.
IMO, make a pot of coffee  (I'm a coffee addict and LOVE the smell!)
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| Posted 3/30/06 2:29 PM |
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Posted by Cheryl
I agree- no clutter- have all your tables, endtables as clear as possible.
Limit your personal photos around the house (wedding pics etc.) you want people to visualize themselves in the house.
Have clean windows, open the blinds.
Turn on every light.
Straighten up the closets since people will be opening them.
IMO- I disagree with the cookie baking. It is an overpowering smell sometimes and can be nauseating. I'd just open the windows beforehand and have the house very well aired out.
Well I donate think I can open the windows since it is going to rain on Saturday. I have done all the rest of the things posted so I guess I have it all covered. Thanks girls
Message edited 3/30/2006 2:30:21 PM.
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| Posted 3/30/06 2:30 PM |
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patti08
Happy
Member since 5/05 3893 total posts
Name:
Patti
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I've heard some people slice an apple and sprinkle it with cinnamon and then bake it for a little while before an open house.
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| Posted 3/30/06 3:17 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
If the house is clean and uncluttered you should be fine.
Fresh flowers on the table may be a nice touch and add some fragrance without going overboard.
Message edited 3/30/2006 3:44:51 PM.
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| Posted 3/30/06 3:44 PM |
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Ambersmom
Straight up nasty
Member since 5/05 7740 total posts
Name:
Sharon
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Good luck!
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| Posted 3/30/06 4:47 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I personally like the scent of candles, so I burned them for our opne house. But another option is to burn them before the open house starts and then blow them out before people arrive, so you get the scent, but don't see the actual candles burning.
or you can boil some cinnamon sticks on the stove to create an inviting scent.
make sure you have clean towels in the bathroom, and turn all of the lights on.
good luck!
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| Posted 3/30/06 4:53 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I love how they do it on HGTV. They basically take out everything personal (like pictures, kids art work, knick knacks) etc. They say that buyers want to visualize their own stuff in the house. As a buyer, I definitely agree! My favorite way to view a house is empty.
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| Posted 3/30/06 5:06 PM |
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jaysee00
LIF Adult
Member since 3/06 1647 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I don't have any tips...just wanted to say good luck!! 
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| Posted 3/30/06 6:42 PM |
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Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses
Member since 5/05 15952 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Remove items, furniture etc. from corners. It will create an optical illusion that makes the room appear larger than it really is.
White, white, white sheets and towels... it denotes a very clean look to homebuyers. Put fresh towels in the bathroom
Empty out closets/cabinets as much as you can. If they are half empty it looks bigger. If you can pack up some things now ask a friend to store them for you.
Turn on EVERY light in the house.
Pull back curtains/blinds.
Hide all personal items... including bathroom items (toothbrushes, makeup, etc.)
Clean every surface... refrigerator, medicine cabinets... places that you don't regularly clean.
Make sure you park your cars down the block or if it an RE open house... don't be home.
Good luck
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| Posted 3/30/06 7:28 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
All of the above are great tips. Just make it look VERY homey with not much clutter. I was at an Open House last weekend where the owner actually set the dining room table with her good china for ambience.
If you have a fireplace - light it.
Make sure it smells good (candles, tart burners, plug ins) and try to put away as many personal things as possible. It is easier for someone to picture themself in your house without all of your personal things around.
Good luck!! Keep us posted!
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| Posted 3/30/06 7:39 PM |
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JMF
LIF Infant
Member since 3/06 230 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I have been so so many open houses within the last 6 months searching for a home. Clutter is a big turn off. Buyer want to see what each space is used for. I hated seeing an area of a house that junk was thrown in. More than once I have said, what is this space, it looks like a waste. Good luck!
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| Posted 3/30/06 7:40 PM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I agree with most of what has already been said. Clean with no clutter lying around. I may be in the minority here, but I HATE walking in to houses smelling candles/coffee/insense smells. It really turns me off and puts me in a defensive mood. Mostly because I dislike them and can't wait to get out of the house.
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| Posted 3/30/06 9:23 PM |
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Posted by dooodles
I agree with most of what has already been said. Clean with no clutter lying around. I may be in the minority here, but I HATE walking in to houses smelling candles/coffee/insense smells. It really turns me off and puts me in a defensive mood. Mostly because I dislike them and can't wait to get out of the house.
Yah this is what we were told by alot of people and I know that when we go to open houses if they are burning strong candles I usually think they are hidding something.
Everyone thank you for all the great tips.
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| Posted 3/31/06 8:34 AM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Posted by bridget-n-jimmy
Posted by dooodles
I agree with most of what has already been said. Clean with no clutter lying around. I may be in the minority here, but I HATE walking in to houses smelling candles/coffee/insense smells. It really turns me off and puts me in a defensive mood. Mostly because I dislike them and can't wait to get out of the house.
Yah this is what we were told by alot of people and I know that when we go to open houses if they are burning strong candles I usually think they are hidding something.
Everyone thank you for all the great tips.
Wishing you lots and lots of luck!!!!!
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| Posted 3/31/06 8:55 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
lots of luck!! 
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| Posted 3/31/06 8:56 AM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Good Luck this weekend!!! Sounds like you are on the right track - plus all the advice here was great. 
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| Posted 3/31/06 9:17 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
regarding the candles....
DH and I have looked at about 30-40 homes in the past few months. I personally hate when they burn those stinky Yankee candles. they are SO strong and I always feel like the seller is trying to hide something.
I totally agree with this - there were one or two houses, that the smell was so strong, we were sort of itching to get out. One or 2 houses boiled cinnamon sicks and orange peel and it was a MUCH better scent in the house.
I would also say, if you have pets, bring them somewhere else while the open house is going on. I went to a few open houses, where a dog or cat was home and I didn't feel as comfortable walking around the house, even though the owner might have been holding them when I walked in.
If you have a basement or garage, I think it's OK to store things there, but straighten them up and keep them neat. It was hard for us to get an idea of how we would use the basement in a few houses, since there was so much junk laying around, and rational or not, I know that completely turned off DH.
I preferred looking at houses when the owner was not around. If I were going back a second time, I wouldn't mind, but initially, I felt more free to make comments to DH and discussing the house, knowing the owner was not around.
Good luck!
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| Posted 3/31/06 10:27 AM |
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jana
LIF Adult
Member since 3/06 1134 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
We went to a ton of open houses.
tThe most memorable one was this young couple- they had a firplace but did not burn wood,just unscented white candles.
They also played jazzy,relaxing music lightly in the background. It was such a nice atmosphere,made me feel very at ease and eager to stay longer.
I dissagree with the cookie baking. 9/10 times I burn them  makes for a nasty stink!
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| Posted 3/31/06 10:59 AM |
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bean
I love my little man!!!!
Member since 7/05 1809 total posts
Name:
Janine
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
No clutter, boil some cinnamon on the stove to give the house a nice smell and make sure if you have any pets all evidence of them are away!
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| Posted 3/31/06 12:15 PM |
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Re: Having an Open House this weekend
I agree with what everyone said but if you have ceiling fans, put them on. That way people KNOW you have them. Sometimes they might be missed if they arent running. Good luck! 
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| Posted 3/31/06 4:21 PM |
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