Open House Tips for Sellers: Hosting a Successful Open House
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by Richard Morrison
- January 14, 2020
- Selling
- 0
Hosting an open house as a seller can feel daunting, but it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your home to potential buyers. With the right preparation and strategy, you can attract qualified buyers and increase your chances of getting offers above asking price. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to host a successful open house.
Key Takeaways
- Clean and declutter your home, emphasize curb appeal, and stage key rooms like the living room and master bedroom.
- Advertise online and use signs to direct traffic, but also invite neighbors to spread the word.
- Have an agent host while you vacate the premises and remove valuables to put visitors at ease.
- Greet guests warmly, provide informative handouts, and offer light refreshments.
- Follow up diligently with every attendee to gauge interest and answer additional questions.
Read More:
- Things To Do Before Putting Your House On The Market
- Important Questions To Ask During An Open House
- Essential Items To Do When Making Plans To Sell Your Home
- Tips To Sell Your House Quickly: Ideas to Sell A Home Fast
- Get Your House Ready To Sell Checklist
- How to Price Your Home: Top 10 Tips To Sell
I’ll never forget my first open house as a new realtor. I had helped stage the home but was still nervous about hosting solo. Within minutes of opening the doors, visitors started pouring in. My instincts kicked in, and I put on a warm smile to greet each person. By the end of the day, we had over 50 groups come through and 3 solid offer prospects. It just goes to show that open houses can work marketing magic if done right!
Why Hold an Open House?
Open houses allow buyers to envision themselves living in the home. Visiting in person makes the property feel more “real” than simply viewing photos online. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 49% of buyers attend open houses during their search process.
Open houses also create a sense of urgency and competition. When buyers see others interested in the same property, they may be inclined to make an offer quickly before losing out. Even one qualified lead can make the effort of hosting worthwhile.
Choosing the Day and Time To Host Your Open House
Sunday afternoons are the most popular time for open houses. Weekends accommodate buyers’ work schedules best. Sunday crowds tend to surpass Saturdays, with Sundays being a less busy family day overall.
For specific hours, aim for 1-4 PM on Sundays. This lets morning churchgoers attend after services. In the suburbs, consider 12-4 PM to catch families running errands. Earlier and you’ll get too few visitors. Later and you’ll conflict with dinnertimes.
In metro areas, 11 AM-3 PM works well to avoid heavy traffic. You can also consider weeknights around 5-7 PM for buyers house hunting after work. Just be aware of the shorter window before dusk.
Deep Clean And Declutter And Remove Personal Items
When preparing to sell your home it is important to deep clean, declutter and remove personal items. A real estate agent can provide tips for a successful open house in order to help sellers get the best price possible. It is important to attend the open house and make sure that all necessary preparations are made for buyers. Homebuyers should go online and gather information from real estate websites or request a private showing with a real estate agent.
Buyers may be looking for something specific so it is important to make it feel like home without making it too personal by taking away family photos or other personal items. Decluttering also helps give the impression of more space which can be attractive to buyers. Utilize multiple listing service websites and advertise your open house as much as possible, inside and outside of the front of your house.
Make sure that everyone knows about the open house including neighbors, friends, family, etc. And finally make sure that you host your open in order to have the perfect open house experience! With these tips you are sure to have a successful experience in selling your home in today’s real estate market.
Advertising The Open House: Brochures and Signage
Promote your open house online through real estate sites, social media, and your agent’s website. Create an event on Facebook, and ask friends to share it. Use high-quality photos to generate excitement.
Strategically place yard signs throughout the neighborhood, using 10-15 signs or more. Go with bold colors and clear messaging like “Open House This Way →”. Place signs on higher traffic roads first, then within the neighborhood.
Ask neighbors to spread the word too. They may personally know potential buyers planning to move to the area.
Preparing the Property For A Successful Open House
Clean every room thoroughly, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Remove clutter to create a spacious feel. Wash windows to let in natural light.
Emphasize curb appeal with trimmed landscaping and a freshly painted front door. Make exterior improvements like power washing siding or installing new house numbers.
Inside, rearrange furnishings to open walking paths. Remove personal photos and other décor. Rent staging furniture and accessories to help buyers picture the home as their own. Focus staging efforts in main living spaces like the living room, dining room, and master suite.
Did you know that according to a survey by Richard Morrison, 89% of agents recommend a “deep clean” of the home before any showings or open houses? Proper staging and cleaning make a huge difference in attracting potential buyers.
Home Staging For Showings
Preparing your home for an open house is a key step when it comes to buyers and sellers. There are some tips to consider when hosting an open house, such as opening the curtains, decluttering and deep cleaning the space, and removing all personal items from view. Having a trusted real estate agent who understands home buyers’ needs can make the open house a success. Think of the home buyers who use the internet to find their dream home.
An experienced agent can help by providing information about buying and selling, making sure that the selling price is right for both parties, and finding properties for sale through word of mouth or other marketing techniques. A knowledgeable agent can also advise buyers on what they should look out for when viewing homes on offer.
How To Host An Open House And What to Offer Guests
Supply an agent or assistant to host, so you can vacate the premises during showings. Their role is to greet visitors, answer questions, and subtly promote the home’s selling points.
Provide brochures highlighting the property details and financing options. Have paperwork like inspection reports and Strata documents out for perusal.
Consider refreshments like coffee, wine and cheese, or cookies to make guests feel at home. Just avoid strong scents that could aggravate allergies. Play soft background music.
Following Up with Attendees & Potential Buyers
Use a sign-in app to easily collect visitor information for follow-up. Reach out to thank them for attending and see if they have any other questions about the property. Try to gauge their interest level in making an offer.
Send home listing flyers with your contact information so visitors can review details after seeing the house in person. Provide a video tour of the property as well for an additional visual reminder.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Host the open house shortly after listing your home to capitalize on excitement. But avoid holidays when fewer people are available.
- Remove pets during showings to prevent damage or allergic reactions. Board them or keep them confined comfortably away from foot traffic.
- Take valuables like jewelry out of the home or lock them away securely during the open house. Unfortunately, open houses can attract theft. Don’t take risks.
- Let your agent take the lead at the open house. Stay occupied elsewhere so potential buyers aren’t intimidated discussing the property in front of you.
- For condos, coordinate with other nearby listings to hold a block open house. This makes it convenient for buyers to view multiple units at once.
What Are Some Important Considerations for Home Sellers at Closing?
When approaching the closing process, home sellers must keep in mind several crucial factors. First, conducting thorough research about real estate selling strategies can prove beneficial. Second, understanding the terms of the purchase agreement and ensuring compliance is essential. Lastly, preparing all necessary documents and engaging in open communication with the buyer and real estate agents are vital for a smooth closing.
What Should I Be Aware of During the Closing Process as a Home Seller?
When going through the closing process as a home seller, it is essential to be aware of common mistakes when selling homes. One such mistake is not understanding the terms of the contract, which can lead to disputes or even legal issues. Another mistake is neglecting to thoroughly review the closing documents, which may result in unexpected fees or errors. Additionally, failing to disclose any property defects can lead to potential lawsuits. Awareness of these common mistakes can help ensure a smoother closing process and a successful home sale.
FAQs
Q: What are valuable tips for a successful open house?
A: Preparing for an open house is key to success. Collect information about the home and area, advertise on local listing services like Trulia, and make sure to plan ahead. Tips for hosting an open house may include setting the right atmosphere, making the home inviting to buyers, and providing refreshments.
Q: How can you make your open house more attractive to home buyers and sellers?
A: Make the home look its best by letting in natural light and decluttering. Have quality photos taken of your home prior to hosting an open house so that attendees can get a good feel for it. You can also provide refreshments such as coffee or chocolate chip cookies!
Q: How can you get the word out about your open house?
A: Utilize social media platforms to share information about the open house and spread the word. Reach out to friends and family who may know someone looking for a new home, post on real estate websites , or even create a brochure with all of the important details.
Q: What will attract interested buyers to my open house?
A: Buyers often want to envision themselves living in a space when they come to an open house, so make sure you have furniture arranged in ways that create this feeling of comfort. Also be sure that any potential allergens are removed from the property so those attending don’t have any unpleasant surprises.
Q: How do I increase my chances of attracting serious buyers during my open house?
A: Letting in natural light is one way that will help show off your space in its best light! Hosting one or two smaller showings instead of one large one could also help weed out uninterested buyers since those who attend tend to be more serious about making a purchase.
Q: What should I do if I want potential buyers to come back after they attend my open house?
A: You can offer something special after visitors leave such as discounts or coupons if they come back later. You can also follow up with them by sending emails with additional photos or virtual tours of other similar properties.
Q: Is there anything else I should do before hosting an open house?
A: Before hosting an open house be sure you have all necessary documents ready such as warranties, repair records, etc., in case prospective buyers ask questions about them. Additionally make sure you have enough brochures on hand for visitors who may want to take one with them.
Q: Are there any tips for hosting an effective yet efficient open house?
A: Yes! Hosting multiple smaller showings instead of one large one allows you to spend more time answering individual questions while still getting through everyone quickly. Additionally offering refreshments such as coffee or snacks helps keep people around longer which gives you more time talking with them.
Q: What tips should I use when trying to attract new clients at my next Open House?
A: Advertising on social media platforms is a great way to reach new clients. Use quality photos taken prior to the Open House event along with enticing descriptions in order promote your property. Consider offering incentives such as discounts or freebies after they attend . If possible , host multiple smaller showings instead of one large one , as it increases chances of turning casual viewers into interested buyers.
Ready for Your Open House?
Preparing adequately for an open house ensures your property shines for potential buyers. You’ll drive more traffic to your listing and identify serious prospects through smart staging, advertising, and follow-up.
Does hosting an open house seem less intimidating now? As your listing agent, I can guide you through every step of preparation to market your home effectively. Let’s connect to discuss your open house strategy and get buyers bidding for your house!
Ready to turn your real estate dreams into reality? Contact Richard Morrison, Vancouver’s top realtor with 20+ years of experience. As a Medallion Club member and RE/MAX Hall of Fame award winning agent, he’s the expert you need on your side. Whether buying, selling, or investing, Richard’s personalized approach and deep market insights ensure a successful transaction. Reach out to Richard today at (778) 900-2235 and make your real estate journey seamless and rewarding.
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