Open House At Your Place? Ugh!

What do Sellers really, really (really) think about having Open Houses at their homes when they are on the market?  Some of my friends and clients have told me it's downright awful - they have to gather up every toy, every Cheerio, the cats, the dogs, the kids, the orange juice glasses, and get the heck out of Dodge for at least four hours on a Sunday - the ONE day the family can finally relax - while a bunch of strangers meander through their home, peek in their closets, kick their tires, and turn up their noses at the paint colors they've chosen.  So, are Open Houses really worth the hassle?  While it's true that some Realtors do not do Open Houses any more for a variety of reasons, they can still be an effective way to find a buyer for your home.  Hosting an Open House is like hosting a small party.  The success really depends on how well marketed your home is, how prepared your Realtor is, how beautifully your home is staged for buyers, and how effective a host your Realtor is.

If the stage has been set, the mood created, and "guests" welcomed, chances are that a buyer will emerge.