By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The Spanish have a saying: “Mi casa es su casa,” which means “My house is your house.” The saying really sums things up when it comes to holding an open house, an age-old marketing tool sellers use to showcase their homes.

Open houses make sense—just like anything else you’d like to sell, it pays to plan, organize, and market the event that gives buyers a sneak peek at what you have to offer.

Mary Wolfe, a licensed Realtor and certified property staging consultant, assists people moving to Fox Run, in Novi, with everything from selling their homes to packing in her role as personal moving consultant. She offers folks a completely customized plan in order to make their move a smooth one. Recently, Wolfe compiled a list of tips to help people in their quest to create a successful open house.

Sight
Stage the property to maximize space and create a visually comfortable atmosphere.

Clean the property throughout, including carpets, hardwood floors, cabinetry, bathrooms, and kitchen.

Brighten your home by opening all blinds and curtains and turning on lights throughout the house.

Smell
During warmer weather, open windows prior to the open house to allow fresh air to circulate.

Bake something sweet like cookies beforehand, or use fresh flowers to create a pleasant and natural aroma.

Touch and sound
Set the thermostat at a comfortable level within the house to make sure the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold.

Play soft music to help ease buyers’ nerves and make them feel more at home.

It’s show time
Open houses offer sellers the chance to really “show off,” so why not take the time to do it right? Besides being a great way to market your property, open houses also provide a great opportunity to obtain feedback from buyers about what works and what doesn’t.