![]() “Line up the soda cans in the fridge super chic and clean because that will show a buyer that this is a clean apartment and people like clean things,” Mr. Simple things like a highly organized refrigerator or a fruit basket on the counter can hint sellers to a home that’s prime for cooking. These days, I just offer bottles of Perrier water.” If a cocktail server is present, it is highly recommended to avoid serving red wine or any other pigmented beverages that can easily stain surfaces, pandemic or not.īut just because food and drinks aren’t actually being served doesn’t mean sellers should forgo creating the illusion. ![]() “I don’t see any time in the future where people are going to feel comfortable doing that again. “I remember pre-pandemic, sushi was a big thing to have at open houses and people would pick it up with their hand and put it on their plates,” Mr. In today’s context, many people aren’t looking for food at open houses, especially snacks that aren’t pre-packaged or individually wrapped so it’s best to just skip it. “People are still not comfortable eating and drinking at a stranger’s house and for some, it’s a bit weird doing so in front of others when looking at a house.” “In New York City, I have yet to see food or drinks displayed at any recent open houses, and I have advised my sellers not to serve any at my own open houses,” explained Phillip Salem, a real estate agent at Compass. With no signs of Covid disappearing in the foreseeable future, it’s best to keep open houses simple and only offer the essentials. More: As Australia’s Market Cools, Home Staging Can Make a Big Difference on Sale Price “At another open house, the owner had shoved mail into the dishwasher.” The takeaway: Always assume people will open even every door made available to them at an open house, no matter how mundane it may seem. “I was once showing a $14 million apartment in Manhattan, where a potential buyer opened the fridge and the seller had stuck some dirty laundry in there,” said Compass real estate agent, Vickey Barron. Schroeder said.Įven the slightest details of uncleanliness can put off a potential buyer and the last thing you want to do is lose a sale to something that could have been a quick fix. “In today’s world, you just want to let the space speak for itself, so put mementos away and focus on keeping the place really clean and highly organized,” Ms. It’s worth spending the extra bucks to have carpets and sofas professionally cleaned, paint jobs touched up, fresh towels and closets organized (because we all open them, don’t we). “A clean and refined design palette that feels welcoming and cozy will always keep a prospective buyer in a home longer because it just feels good,” said Brittany Farinas, principal and lead designer at Miami-based interior design firm House of One. ![]() It should go without saying that the home being advertised should be spotless, leaving no room whatsoever for open house attendees to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. More: High-End Pandemic Boomtowns Will Turn in Home Buyers’ Favor This Fall An emphasis on cleanliness, unfussy open houses that let the homes speak for themselves, and tasteful decor can leave a lasting impression on a potential buyer. So, how does one create an inviting atmosphere at an open house that encourages prospective buyers to linger while making them feel safe in today’s climate? It takes a bit more creativity but it’s not impossible. “In my experience, things are almost back to how they were in the early 2000s, when open houses were less gimmicky and focused on luring people, and are now just more about quickly highlighting a space that is clean, organized and accommodating,” explained Stephanie Schroeder, principal of Alchemy Studio, an interior design firm based in New York. These days, open houses have returned to simpler formats, with many focused less on the theatrics and more on the space itself. In a pre-pandemic environment, it was not uncommon for luxury listings to pull out all the stops at open houses, with small bites, cocktails and sometimes even entertainment. When it comes to open houses, long gone are the days of handshakes, hugs, and the friendly kiss on the cheek, as many leery buyers and sellers remain on edge about the coronavirus, its ever-evolving variants-and all the other non-Covid germs floating around.
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