Preparation for holding a Tampa Bay Open House: Yard neat, lawn mowed, garage tidy. Minor repairs made. Closets neat, oven clean.

Announcing Your Open House
Create an ad. Advertise in the newspaper the day of your Open House.
Have a flyer/fact sheet printed in large quantities.
Hand-deliver invitations to 50-60 homes in the general area the day before the Open House.

Signs, Flags & Balloons
Dress up your open house with flags or balloons.
Be sure to ask for permission when placing signs on private property.
Place signs leading to the house from at least two directions.
Place signs at highway exits close to the house.

Conducting the Open House

BEFORE
Park your cars away from the house.
Double-check to make sure the home looks inviting.
Garage doors should be down, front door open.
Water the front lawn.
Air out the interior with non-perfumed room deodorizer.
Keep the television off; if radio is on, it should be tuned to an all-music station, at low volume.

Use a guest register, placed near the entrance. Set up a table for your flyers, brochures and other handouts.

DURING
Greet guests at the door. Try to get their names, and then use them. Have them sign the guest register and hand them a flyer. Control the showing and watch for buying signs. Ask as many qualifying questions as possible: This home is about $100,000. Is that about what you're looking for? This home has four bedrooms. Is that what you need? Are you renting now, or do you own your own home?

AFTER
Follow up on every prospect the next day.

Tips For Showing Your Home
LIGHTS -  Open all draperies unless there is an objectionable view. In most rooms, you should turn on lights for a bright and cheerful look. Lamps and indirect lighting are preferable, but use overhead lights if that's all there is in a room.

AROMAS -  Set out some fresh flowers, both for their appearance and fragrance. Bake cookies or bread.

CLOSETS -  Keep doors closed, except for walk-in closets. Have those doors slightly ajar and turn on the lights to draw attention to this special feature.

POSTERS & SIGNS -  We live in a tolerant age, but don't take a chance on offending a potential buyer. Remove any signs or posters that could be considered offensive or controversial.

ASHTRAYS -  Dirty ashtrays are both unsightly and a source of objectionable odor to non-smokers. Keep them clean.

UTILITY BILLS -  Have copies of the past 12 months of bills available, or at least a written summary of the amounts paid monthly for that period.

MUSIC -  Soft background music will help create a relaxed mood that prompts buyers to linger and enjoy. But it's better to have no music at all than to have it too loud. Never have the TV on when the house is being shown.

PETS -  Get them out of the house, if not off the property.

Most buyers will not relax and closely inspect a home if the owners are hovering over their shoulders. Show them the house, but stay a reasonable distance away from the buyers, allowing them to discover the home for themselves.

The legal principle of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is dead or dying. We are living in an age of consumerism, and it's hard to find a court that won't favor the buyer in a dispute. In fact, government agencies require that the seller must disclose everything.

If you have a problem in your home, don't hide it. A common example is the homeowner who spray paints a ceiling to cover water stains caused by a leaking roof. If you have a major problem that you don't intend to correct, be candid about it.

Safety Reminders
1. Don't allow people looking at your home to be alone. Always go with them from room to room.

2. Protect your credit cards. NEVER leave them where they might be picked up by someone.

3. If you have placed an ad listing a telephone number, DO NOT leave your home without having someone there to answer calls.

4. Be certain that all jewelry and other small, valuable items are well hidden. DO NOT wear jewelry that would attract the attention of a thief when showing the home.

5. Be certain that you know the location of your keys at all times. Should one turn up missing, change that lock as soon as possible.

6. NEVER leave a minor child alone in the home.

7.  If there are two or more parties being shown the home, be certain they stay together. NEVER allow one to go off by himself/herself.

8.  If you have items of value in the garage, be certain to lock it from the inside.

9.  Don't indicate that you will be alone in the home at night.

10. Should someone make an offer to purchase, seek advice before signing any document. It could be a binding contract upon which you could be taken to court, though you did not completely understand its meaning.

Sellers consider this: Every year over 4 million vacationers visit the Tampa Bay area and thousands become residents. The Internet is a world wide medium reaching potential buyers "Before they Arrive." My web sites attract tens of thousands of visitors every week. The "MaxTeam" pre-approves potential buyers and e-mails photos and descriptions of tampa bay real estate that meet their requirements. They're offered discount hotel and air fare rates on my travel site All Tampa Bay.com Tampa Bay Florida Maps, Hotels & Attractions. When they arrive in the Tampa Bay Florida to inspect properties- it's a serious "Second Appointment" for Tampa Bay Real Estate Home Sellers.

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