An open house event can be a great strategic move to get attention from potential buyers. And your most important task is to make the property look as attractive as possible.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at Klamen Real Estate Group for sponsoring this post!)

Here are some great tips from experienced cash buyers of real estate in St. Louis.

Focus on Cleaning

This might seem obvious, yet all too often homeowners don’t properly clean their homes before open house events. Be sure to dust everywhere. And don’t neglect annoying deep cleaning projects. You don’t want to let something like soap scum in the shower to cost you a sale!

If you don’t have time to clean yourself, consider hiring a cleaning company. Remember to keep the big picture in mind. Paying for a full home cleaning is a small investment to drastically increase the possibility of successfully selling your home.

It’s especially important to make sure bathrooms and kitchens are clean. They are the areas that usually get dirty fast. They are also areas buyers are likely to scrutinize closely.

Depersonalize and Declutter

You want to give potential buyers a blank slate—so they can imagine themselves in a new beautiful home.

That means you need to remove all personal items including knickknacks and family photos. You want potential buyers to feel like they’re walking into their next home—not intruding on your personal space.

Also, be sure to organize and clean out storage space and closets. Most buyers want to see these areas—and you want them to get excited about filling these spaces in their own way.

It’s a good idea to remove seasonal items including holiday decorations and winter clothing. This is a good time to donate any items you no longer need and somewhere else to store the rest.

Try a Fresh Coat of Paint

Interior walls need to look great and a fresh coat paint can do wonders.

New exterior paints is also a highly effective way to increase your home’s curb appeal for an open house event. Make sure you choose a neutral paint color. You want something that will appeal to most homebuyers. They can easily customize the home after purchasing.

Painting cabinetry and updating cabinet hardware can also be inexpensive upgrades that will help position your house to sell.

Replace Damaged Flooring

Most sellers are reluctant to make flooring upgrades. In some cases the seller will offer a credit so buyers can have the work done, but that’s usually not a good idea. Potential buyers often have a difficult time imagining what’s possible. Instead, they are likely to focus on existing problems.

Start with flooring cleaning and see if that is enough. If not, see if it’s possible to make minor repairs. Sometimes this can make a huge difference.

Update Light Fixtures

If you want to make an older home look more modern, installing contemporary light fixtures is a smart move. You also want to be sure all light fixtures work and have working bulbs. Some visitors may want reassurance the electrical wiring in the home fully functioning.

Are you trying to sell a home? What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing? Are you in the market to buy? What’s the most important thing you want to find? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below.