How to Plan and Hold an Open House

Dated: August 15 2020

Views: 52

Updated January 17, 2020

Agents in real estate do an array of things in order to host a successful open house. They often check out the competition, visit other open houses in the neighborhood, and prepare the home. Here are a few tips new agents and everyday homeowners can use to set up an open house.

Get the Timing Right

Red Open House sign pointing at house for inspection
KLH49/Getty Images

Talk to experienced agents or brokers with experience to find out the days and time of day that has worked best for them for open houses.

Check the newspaper and other advertising media to see when others are holding open houses. This is particularly helpful if there are others in the same subdivision or nearby areas, as they will help to generate traffic for you.

Allow time for effective planning and marketing. Generally, allow two or more weeks to get it all together for a successful open house.

Plan for Safety

Couple visiting an open house

SDI Productions /  Getty Images

An open house usually lasts for about two hours. Keeping yourself and your home safe during an open house is key, as many strangers will be coming in and out. This involves checking your insurance policy to see what it covers, protecting your property and valuables, and letting neighbors know when the open house is happening so they can be aware.

Don't become a crime statistic during your open house. Unfortunately, it happens more than you might think. Plan and prepare with safety at the top of your list.

Market and Promote Your Open House Effectively

Couple looking at properties in window of real estate agency

 

PhotoAlto / Eric Audras / Getty Images

Scheduling the right time for an open house makes all the difference for potential buyers. This type of home showing allows the general public to look around, get a feel for the place, and ask questions. In order to get people to show up, it's important to utilize several different modes of marketing and advertising.

Here are some promotion tips:

  • Place a classified ad in the appropriate section for open houses.
  • Put up open house signs at the home and directional signs along the way.
  • If you subscribe to "Enhanced Listings" features at Realtor.com, there's a place for open house information.
  • Those with a website, blog, or social media sites can place the information on there a few days or more before.
  • Post open house postings on community calendar sites that are popular and allow them. Similarly, you can place an ad in the subdivision newsletter.

Create Parking and Curb Appeal

House for sale with curb appeal and a driveway

 

YinYang / Getty Images

Throwing an open house can be exciting for both sellers and potential buyers. This opportunity allows people to swing by without an appointment for a specific period of time. Having a large number of showings in a small-time bracket creates demands, reduces disruption, and even creates competitive bidding wars.

Of course, ease of access and first impressions are important. Below are a few suggestions regarding parking and curb appeal:

  • Park your vehicle so that there is plenty of room remaining for visitors. Some will drive by and not return if there is no parking available on their first drive-by.
  • Curb appeal can't be stressed enough. Make the exterior of the home as attractive as possible. This is critical for your visitor's time when there are plenty of other homes on their list for the day. Also, be sure to remove debris and clean the porch and entryway.

Place Marketing and Informational Materials Conveniently

Realtor with marketing and informational materials

 

kali9 / Getty Images 

Near the front entry, it's important to have color brochures, financing information, and home operational literature. You can also include utility costs, survey plats, and any other information that prospective buyers might want to know about. The goal is to make sure these pamphlets are accessible and noticeable. In fact, you can hand these materials directly to potential buyers or mention it before they leave.

This takeaway literature is designed to prompt the memory of potential buyers at the end of a tiring day. Keep in mind that visitors are likely to have visited dozens of homes during a weekend to find their future house, so making it easy for them is key.

Make the Home's Interior Pleasant and Inviting

Staged living room

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

It's important that an open house show off a clean home, organized closets, and a clear pathway for walking around. Those putting on an open house can go above and beyond by providing some soft music, the smell of bread baking, or another pleasant fragrance. In general, it's a good idea to make the home appealing as possible for any potential buyers.

Home staging is also a good idea for an open house with little to no furniture. Staging a home can be done on a budget and often involves lighting and brightening a room, whiting out the bathroom, and updating kitchen fixtures.

Have Contact Forms Ready

Sign in sheet and computer to print out forms at an open house

 

Prathan Chorruangsak / EyeEm / Getty Images

You never know when a prospect might become a client at an open house. Have the forms or a computer there to prepare documents.

Blog author image

Tammy Broxson

Tammy Broxson is the Broker Owner of Broxson Real Estate Group, a boutique real estate brokerage in Florida. Tammy is also a State of Florida Real Estate Instructor and a mentor to other real estate p....

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