Sellers: What You Should Know About Open Houses

• Boost your curb appeal. Mow the lawn, manicure the landscape, plant a few colorful annuals among the landscape or in large containers. Make sure your walkway and front porch are clear from any clutter, debris, leaves, ice or snow. Spruce up the front door, whether it's with a fresh coat of paint, a seasonal wreath, or new hardware.
  
• Clear the clutter. Nothing turns off prospective buyers -- or will get neighbors gossiping -- more than a house in disorder. Clear the counters, get rid of the knickknacks, limit the number of family photos and personal items on display. If you have too much furniture, put some of it in storage. Don't crowd your closets -- the fewer clothes hanging in them, the larger the closets will appear.
  
• Get down to the nitty gritty and clean every corner from the kitchen to the laundry room to the kids' rooms. And don't forget the windows. This is the one time you'll want to be sure the windows are sparkling.
• Turn on some soft music.
  
• Make sure everything is working properly. If that door handle has been loose or the dishwasher isn't functioning, now's the time to make the fix.
  
• Pretty it up. Place some fresh flowers in several locations throughout the house. If it's fall or winter, have a fire roaring in the fireplace.
  
• Make it smell good. Nothing is more welcoming than the smell of a freshly baked apple pie or chocolate chip cookies. Bake something yummy just before the open house gets kicked off.
  
• Have somewhere to go. The sellers shouldn't be there.

Resources

www.city.kelowna.bc.ca
www.investkelowna.com
www.mls.ca
www.travelkelowna.com
www.gotravelcanada.ca
www.royallepagekelowna.com
www.remax-kelowna-bc.com
www.coldwellbanker.ca
www.kelownachamber.org
www.bankofcanada.ca