Open Houses

Over the years I’ve worked with countless sellers to set up and manage open houses, and to make sure that potential buyers hear about them and find them. Understandably complete strangers touring homes for sale can be a bit worrisome, not only for sellers but, frankly, even for agents. Part of my job is to make sure that your home and its belongings are secure during an open house, and that both home owners, and myself, have peace of mind as we host strangers.

Open houses normally are quite safe and uneventful. Even so, I encourage my clients to check with their insurance carrier to make sure that their policies cover damage and valuables. Thefts during open houses are very rare, but they do happen, typically cash, jewelry, and even office equipment. As an extra precaution, find a very safe place for credit cards, passports, financial documents with social security numbers, and extra keys. Put prescription drugs away in a safe place. On open house day, I’ll walk through your home with you for a security and safety checkup. When the open house is over, if you are available, we’ll close up the house together and make sure that windows and doors are locked.

You will want your house to be neat and tidy, organized, in good repair to look its very best.

The first and most important step will be to price your house properly. Pricing your property correctly for sale – the first time – is key for several reasons, one of which is that the first week of a real estate listing in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices website will generate the most traffic to your open house.

Hopefully we won’t have to go through this process too many times. I’ll do everything I can to get your house sold quickly -- but at the best price!