Summertime… and the livin’s easy. It’s the perfect time to sell your Charleston home. The weather is nice, people are out and about, and it’s the perfect time to throw an AMAZING open house. There are many ways you can take advantage of the warm temps and long days. Here are just a few ideas in our:
“Guide to Throwing a Summer Open House in Charleston!”
Throw A Party!
Who doesn’t love a backyard BBQ or block party! The days are long, the evenings are warm! Invite your neighbors, open the doors and let everyone know the house is available! Your neighbors could have friends looking to buy! And the idea of picking your new neighbor will make people much more interested! It is a great way to really get the word out about your home being for sale. Throwing a party sends a relaxed vibe, makes people feel at home. It is much less stuffy than a traditional open house. And depending on how tightly-knit your neighborhood is, throwing a block party might give you one last hurrah with your neighbors, making it a good way to start the goodbye process. BBQ outside, and welcome everyone into your home!
What Should You Eat?
There are a ton of unique and easy things you can make. If you are going all out with the backyard party, it the perfect time to fire up the grill. Doing this can help people feel as if they are having fun and hanging out in their own (new) backyard. Setting a relaxed and fun environment will let them picture themselves there, entertaining and having fun with their friends.
If you are having a more traditional open house, think of serving cool drinks and snacks. Nothing should be cumbersome or hard to eat. Also, you don’t want anything messy that is going to spill on the carpet in your entry way. Serve fresh lemonade and a watermelon salad in the backyard. Or one of our favorites, caprese on a stick, (just make sure it’s not left out too long.) Nothing you serve should be spoilable. People getting sick is not the key to a successful open house!
Highlight the Yard!
Even if you just have a small patio, people love being outside. While the interior shouldn’t be neglected, neither should the yard! It’s amazing what a few flowers can do to brighten up a dull space. If you have a bigger area and don’t have much going on, you might consider getting a few things to really make the yard a place people will want to hang out! Consider a hammock, great seating, or a water feature. If you are in a family orientated area, add something fun the kids will love. (Make sure the sale agreement states if these items will come with the home or not so there is no confusion.)
Declutter
The best tip for any open house, any time of year is to declutter. You want people to have fun, and feel relaxed in your home. If people are surrounded with clutter and personal effects, they will not be able to feel as if they are in their own space. And that is what you want…. for them to instantly feel as if they are at home. Take down family pictures and hide away your paperwork that’s lying on the desk. Replace pictures with interesting art pieces and items that are more neutral.