Open homes can feel deceptively simple. Doors open, lights on, a few people wander through, but behind the scenes, buyers are making fast, instinctive decisions. Often, within the first few minutes, they’ve already formed an opinion.
If you’re selling (or thinking about it), understanding what buyers notice first at open homes can give you a real edge. It’s rarely about expensive renovations. More often, it’s about presentation, flow and how the home feels.
Here’s what buyers are really picking up on, and how you can prepare with confidence.
Buyers usually begin forming an opinion before they step inside. That first impression sets the tone for everything that follows.
Street appeal matters
In Hawke’s Bay, where many homes sit on established sections, buyers notice:
A tidy, welcoming exterior signals care and pride. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to feel looked after.
Seller tip: If a buyer hesitates before walking in, it’s often because the exterior feels uncertain or neglected.
Once inside, buyers immediately register how the home feels.
What they notice straight away:
In Napier, Hastings and surrounding areas, buyers consistently favour homes that feel bright and easy to move through, especially open-plan living with good indoor–outdoor flow.
Simple changes like opening curtains, turning on lights and decluttering can dramatically change that first impression.
It’s not something buyers always mention, but it has a powerful impact.
Common turn-offs include:
Homes that smell clean and neutral instantly feel more appealing.
Local tip: Hawke’s Bay homes can hold moisture in winter. Air the house well before an open home, especially bathrooms and bedrooms.
Buyers don’t need to open every cupboard to judge a kitchen. They take it in quickly and decide how much work, if any, they’ll need to do.
What they’re looking for:
A kitchen doesn’t have to be brand new. It just needs to feel usable and cared for.
Clearing clutter, wiping surfaces and removing personal items can instantly lift the space.
Bathrooms are judged harshly and quickly.
Buyers notice:
Grubby grout, mould or tired fixtures can overshadow an otherwise great home. On the flip side, a clean, fresh bathroom reassures buyers that the home has been well-maintained.
Buyers might not comment on temperature, but they feel it.
A home that’s:
In Hawke’s Bay’s climate, buyers often notice:
Comfort builds confidence, and confidence leads to stronger offers.
Buyers rarely measure rooms. Instead, they imagine daily life.
They ask themselves:
Homes that feel intuitive tend to perform better than those with awkward layouts, even if they’re similar in size.
If a space feels confusing, buyers hesitate.
Buyers mentally inventory storage as they move through the home.
They notice:
Overfilled storage spaces can make a home feel smaller. Tidying and editing content helps buyers see the potential, not the problem.
Thanks to the region’s climate, buyers place real value on outdoor living.
They look for:
Even modest outdoor areas can feel appealing if they’re clean, accessible and easy to imagine using.
Buyers are quick to notice:
These small issues don’t usually stop a sale, but they do invite doubt and negotiation.
Fixing them shows care and removes unnecessary questions.
As buyers walk through, they’re constantly asking themselves:
“How hard will this be to live in?”
Homes that answer “easy” tend to attract more interest, stronger emotional connection and better offers.
If you’re preparing for an open home, focus on:
You don’t need to do everything. You just need to do the right things.
Every suburb and buyer group is slightly different. What works in Havelock North might differ from what resonates in Taradale, Frimley or Central Hawke’s Bay.
That’s where local advice helps, understanding what buyers in your area are responding to right now.
If you’re considering selling or want honest advice on how your home would present to buyers, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with our Ray White team for a free appraisal and tailored open home preparation advice.
We’ll help you focus on what buyers notice first and how to present your home with confidence.
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