It’s impossible to overstate just how hot the housing market is right now. When homes are listed, they receive multiple offers from competing buyers and sell in a fraction of the time we used to regard as standard. On the other hand, this means you will only have a short span of time in which to attract active buyers.

With these factors in mind, let’s discuss top tips for an unforgettable open house. An expertly executed open house will pull in more buyers, which means your listing will receive more competing offers. Ultimately, the resulting dynamic means a higher sale price, which will benefit both you and your client.

Interacting with active buyers will allow you to make a great number of connections in your niche market and give you the opportunity to make an excellent first impression.

1.) Incorporate Digital Tools

Most potential buyers will perform a large percentage of their property search online. To bring visitors to your open house, you’ll need to connect with them where they are, so it’s time to go digital.

By the Wednesday before a weekend open house, list your property on your MLS services, Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, Nextdoor.com, your professional social media accounts, your blog, on Facebook groups, and even on Craigslist.com.

Include tags that indicate the ZIP Code where your listing is located, and rely on hashtags like #openhouse, #middletennessee, #househunting, #beautifulview, #locationlocationlocation, and any other trending hashtags that correlate with this listing.

2.) Maximize Physical Signage

As central as digital tools are, we still recommend using physical signage to both attract and direct interested parties to your open house. Place signs on several surrounding main roads, near the entrance to the neighborhood, throughout the neighborhood, and on the property’s lawn. Aim to place about 15 signs in all. Depending on your real estate niche, mylar balloons may also be appropriate and helpful!

3.) Live Stream Your Event

You will reach a much larger audience by live streaming your open house to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube simultaneously. Check in with each live chat when you can and interact with viewers who are posting comments and questions.

The best time to begin streaming your open house is once in-person visitors have arrived in force. Demonstrate to viewers who drop in that your listing is bustling, give a live demonstration of your skills as a host, and further build your reputation as a realtor. 

4.) Set Up Standout Refreshments

Your refreshment spread is often a missed chance to demonstrate that you are a uniquely creative realtor.

Are you targeting professionals in an urban center? Set out a vegetarian charcuterie board alongside a traditional charcuterie board, chilled white wine and rosé, sparkling and still mineral water, and sports-friendly protein or granola bars in a basket for viewers to grab on their way out. 

Is your listing in a family-focused suburban area? Set out a child-friendly snack table with packaged fruit snacks, crackers, or (relatively) healthier cookies, juice boxes, and flavored sparkling water. Offer decadent cookies, crudités, lemonade, and both sparkling and still mineral water for their parents.

Alternatively, you can create a seasonal vibe by offering weather-specific treats. In the fall, hot apple cider, popcorn, and spice cake might be ideal. In the winter, hot cocoa and candy canes might be fun. In scorching weather, set out lemonade and sweet tea, and offer freezer pops.

Pro Tip: Position your refreshment spread to draw attention to a large bar in the kitchen, a beautiful backyard patio, or a deck with a gorgeous view.

5.) Master the Art of Handout Folders

An essential skill for a successful open house is the ability to put together an attention-grabbing, informative, beautiful handout folder. 

It should include:

• An info sheet on the property

• An accounting of each repair and update as well as the dates on which they were performed

• The existing homeowner’s estimate of monthly utility bills

• Local providers that offer high-speed Internet to that ZIP code

• Details about the neighborhood

• Information about local schools at each grade level

• Estimated travel times to various local destinations and centers of commerce

• Your bio, including links to your social media accounts, blog, and website

These sheets should be bundled into a branded folder and presented to each attendee as they exit the open house. This is also an excellent opportunity to thank them for coming.

6.) Focus on Being a Gracious Host

Your goal at an open house must extend beyond your immediate desire to sell this property. You are here to represent yourself professionally and expand your network. To that end, offer visitors a map of any open houses that are also being held in the area, info sheets on similar listings, and information about Facebook groups and social media accounts that can help them in their search. 

Pro Tip: Bring a tape measure with you to every open house. Buyers rarely bring them but will be delighted by your having one on hand, in this simple gesture could cement you in their minds as helpful, prepared, and responsive.

7.) Follow Up with Each Visitor Promptly

Reach out by text or phone call to every attendee directly after your open house. Follow-up once more the following day. Express your gratitude for their attendance and your desire to hear their feedback once they’ve had time to process their experience. Maintain impeccable professionalism and express your willingness to help each contact in any way you can.

This approach can lead to a contact becoming a client or to their referring a client to you in the immediate future. Each open house is an incredible opportunity for organic lead generation and marketing.  

Experienced realtors, do you have further recommendations for your newer colleagues? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.

We are immensely proud of the stellar team of realtors associated with us, and we are confident in your ability to accomplish every goal you set.