Get the basics right and open homes will be your best friend when it comes to sale time.

Love them or hate them, when it comes to getting a quick sale for your property at the highest possible price, there is no better option than open homes. Lots of them – the more you have, the more people you will get through, which increases the chances of prospective buyers falling in love and buying your house. I work to a minimum of three open homes a week, usually one on a Wednesday or Thursday and one every Saturday and Sunday for a minimum of 45 minutes, although an hour is even better.

The best time of the day for open homes at your sale property will depend on such factors as household routines and schedules but you also need to take into account the season and its effect on sunlight times and angles – you want to showcase your house at its brightest and sunniest. Things need to be bright inside too – a good real estate agent will turn on all your lights during a showing and, where necessary, suggest where higher wattage bulbs are needed to brighten darker rooms.

Not surprisingly, presentation is everything. In winter you want it to be toasty warm – if there’s a fire, start it in the morning to heat the house and have all heat pumps going, with scented candles and diffusers also helping to create a cosy atmosphere and calming house. I make it a rule to never show an empty house and will often recommend home staging (including selected art pieces for the walls) that really showcase the house as a spacious, warm and welcoming space.

The No. 1 rule is make it sparkle! There’s no way around this – you are going to have to get down to some serious cleaning (or pay for a professional clean) of every surface inside. Outside, you need to tidy gardens, patios and yards to maximise street appeal.

That’s the checklist then – clean and bright inside, neat and tidy out. Get those basics right, then throw open the doors to prospective buyers and you’ll be closer to seeing the sold sticker in front of your house!

maryturnbull.harcourts.co.nz