Open Houses are like Hosting a Party…Buyers Have Fun & Feel at Home
When I first came into real estate and had no business, my former broker said do 1-2 open houses for other agents every week and get your name out there. We now call that branding yourself but it worked as soon my phone started ringing. Since, I have always enjoyed open houses unless it is in some undesirable area.
Pre-Open House: To do an open house or not totally depend. So at the listing appointment, I find out what they want. We usually set the date right then. I tell them what they need to do to get ready for it; de-clutter, put out scented candles, bake cookies, clean up inside, and spruce up the yard. Try to schedule the event the first weekend after listing the property as a welcome to the neighborhood. Many who live here may have family or friends who are interested in living here.
Advertise in MLS- When I enter the listing into the MLS, I add the ‘Open House’ in the Agent Remarks Section of the listing. We also have a separate ‘Open House’ section in MLS and I add my address here too.
1-2 Days after listing goes into MLS:I like to farm the neighborhood around the house. Put out “JUST LISTED” flyers on the door. If I see neighbors, I mention that there is going to be an ‘Open House’ on Saturday and invite them to stop by. I ask them “Do you know any friends or family members who are interested in moving into the neighborhood?” If they do, I suggest they give them a call and tell them about the open house this weekend.
Advertise in Local Newspaper: If your newspaper advertises open houses, this is a perfect place to run a picture and the date and time of your open house. Many buyers check out this section of the paper and will probably stop by.
2 Days Before Open House- I farm the neighborhood again with another flyer “Open House” which includes the address, date, and time of upcoming event.
Make Your Event Like a Party- You want the visitors to feel comfortable and feel at home so doing a few extra things to make this happen is important. Here is a list below:
vSigns & Open House Flags-Put out your Open House signs a few hours before event. Make sure a few of the signs have the time so if someone drives by, they know when to stop by. If you have flags for your sign holders, put them on the sign. A few extra flags for the entrance to the house is a good inviting sign for buyers especially in a condo complex when they are trying to locate the home.
vBalloons-Hang a few balloons on the signs by the house. Some drivers never notice the signs but they will see the balloons.
vAC -If it is hot outside, make sure the AC is set low so the home will be cool. This will be a trigger point for buyers who will remember how good the house felt when they walked inside.
vSecure Pets-If they are in the backyard, perhaps they can go off for a few hours to the park with the owners therefore they will not be barking at the visitors. If the seller has a lovely backyard, you want the buyers to be able to go outside and not have to look through the slider and deal with a barking dog. Cats can be put in a carrier in the laundry room so they do not get outside with the doors open.
vFresh Flowers & Fruit- This is a nice touch and bring a vase you want to leave with the sellers. When visitors walk in, they will enjoy smelling the aroma of the flowers and it makes them feel special. A pretty bowl of fruit in the kitchen is a nice touch too.
vFood Aromas- If the seller says “what can I do?” I ask them to make some cookies. Considering the buyers and their kids may be walking around with these cookies, suggest sugar cookies and none with chocolate as you do not want smashed up chocolate in the carpeting.
vScented Candles-These are great for the bathrooms as the buyers will remember how nice the house smelled. If the sellers are not happy with lit candles, you can buy the wickless candles that still smell delicious. A few Glade Pull-Ups are nice too; Vanilla, Peach, Melon or Apple but none of the fake flower smells as they can turn off buyers.
vClean the Carpeting- If the home has some animal smells from urine, the cleaning of the carpeting is important before the open house. You do not want the buyers to remember your house by the one that smelled like “Dog Pee”.
vCat Box-Clean out the cat box, spray the room with ‘Lysol Cleaner’ and possibly move the box to the garage during the open house.
vCool Water Bottles with my Name on Label-I like to buy the miniature bottles of water at the store and add a printed label on the front with my name, logo, contact information and sometimes my picture. Print these labels on your computer and stick them on front of bottle. Chill the bottles before the open house. If it is real hot, bring a colorful small ice bucket with ice and put the bottles at the top so they can chill down but not smear the labels. This is so inviting for buyers!
vSign in Sheet-Either have one on the table so buyers can sign in as you welcome them into the house or use an Open House app on your iPad for buyers. Many of these apps are smart and will not accept a phony email address.
vWarm Greeting- Make sure you get up from your chair and welcome each group who enters. Make them feel welcome and they will have good thoughts about the house and you too. If they do not have an agent yet, this might be your chance to make a good impression.
vWear Your Name Tag- This is a good way for the buyers to remember you name and the company you work for and it shows you are proud of what you do for a living.
vA Nice Flyer- This is a must especially if the buyers walk in without a Realtor. You want to give them all the information regarding this house. Listing the features is important. Unless I am running late, I never just print the flyers off MLS as they are so cold. A pretty flyer with picture of the house and all the features listed and the price at the bottom along with your contact info is there for them to reach you afterwards.
vReports- If you have a marketing report, a list of condos or homes available, or some helpful tip flyers like “Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Sale” or “What home improvement remodeling gives you bang for your buck”, these are good to hand out with your contact info on them of course. Give your visitors something to take home and read as they are there since they are interested in real estate. They will thank you later for your hospitality.
vFreebie Gifts- I try to give out something besides food and drink at each open house.
a. Miniature flags on holiday weekends and the kids love these giveaways.
b. Seed Packets, Tea Bags, Candy, Votive Candles with your card in a small clear bag tied with a ribbon.
c. Mother’s Day- An assortment of miniature lotions or bath gels from Bath & Body. I buy them ahead of time when the store has sales and give them out to all the ladies.
d. Father’s Day- Same thing, find a little gift for dad and give them out. Even making a small plaque with a poem about Fathers is a special gift to hand out and it makes them feel special.
e. Holiday Themes- Decorate the gift bags with colored ribbons and stickers for upcoming holidays- St.Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
I think of it this way; I am hosting a party and I want all my guests to come and have a good time and walk away with something. They will remember you and the house and it will help them to make the decision whether they want to put in an offer or not.For more information, please read my previous post “To Open House or Not to Open House…That is the Question”.
But the main thing is to advertise your listing, have many visitors find your open house, and let them leave with a good feeling that they had a good time and felt at home here. If they have a warm and fuzzy feeling here, they may want to buy the home.
Thanks for Reading my Blog
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Kristin Hamilton DRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty – I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.
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Kristin Hamilton CDPE, SFR, CHS, BPOR, BA Keller Williams Realty DRE-01492138
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