If you’re a real estate agent, hosting an open house is one of the best ways to show off a property and find new buyers. But hosting a great open house takes more than just unlocking the door and letting people walk through. It’s all about making a good first impression and creating excitement around the property.
This blog will give you simple tips on how to host an open house in real estate and make it a success. Plus, we’ll tell you about the Dominate With Open Houses guide, which has even more great tips for making your open houses stand out.
1. Pick the Right Property for Your Open House
The first step in hosting a successful open house is picking the right property. Not every house is a good fit, so you’ll want to choose one that will get people excited.
If you don't know if the property is a good fit or not, it's best to start by studying the market to determine the best opportunities.
Tip: Choose homes in popular neighborhoods with great features like a new kitchen, a big backyard, or lots of curb appeal. Houses that look great on the outside tend to attract more visitors.
2. Get the Word Out About Your Open House
Marketing your open house is crucial to its success. The more people who are aware of the event, the higher the likelihood of attracting a large crowd of potential buyers. To maximize exposure, start by creating an effective advertising strategy that includes promoting the open house online and utilizing social media platforms.
Marketing your open house is really important for its success. The more people who know about it, the better chance you have of getting a lot of potential buyers to show up. To get the word out, start by making a simple plan that includes posting about the open house online and on social media. You can advertise on real estate websites, local community pages, and event listings to reach more people.
Social media can also help you a lot. Post about the open house on Facebook, Instagram, or even Twitter, using great pictures and interesting captions to grab attention. You can even create a Facebook event page or share updates through Instagram Stories to get people excited about it. Don’t forget to ask your followers to share the event with their friends and family to help spread the word!
Tip: Create eye-catching ads with photos of the house, and be sure to include the date, time, and address of the open house. Use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to spread the word.
Need more ideas on how to get the word out? Check out the Dominate With Open Houses guide for step-by-step tips on marketing your open house like a pro.
3. Make the House Shine
The way the house looks and feels when people walk in will make a huge impact on their overall impression. First impressions are everything, and you want potential buyers to feel comfortable and excited about the property from the moment they step inside. To do this, the house needs to feel welcoming, cozy, and clean.
Start by making sure the house is clutter-free. Remove personal items like family photos, toys, or anything that could distract buyers from imagining themselves living there. A clean, open space allows them to picture how their own furniture and decor would fit.
Next, focus on making the house feel warm and inviting. Brighten up the space by opening curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on all the lights, even during the day, to create a bright and cheery atmosphere. You can also light a few candles or use air fresheners to fill the home with a fresh, pleasant scent.
Finally, consider adding small touches that make the home feel cozy. Soft music playing in the background, fresh flowers on the table, or a bowl of fruit on the counter can all make the home feel more welcoming. Even little details, like folded towels in the bathroom or a neatly made bed, can go a long way in creating a positive experience for buyers.
Remember, the goal is to create a space where visitors feel comfortable and can easily picture themselves living.
Tip: Get to the house early to make sure everything looks great. Turn on the lights, open the blinds, and set the temperature to a comfortable level. Make sure the home is spotless and free of personal items so visitors can picture themselves living there.
The Dominate With Open Houses guide includes a checklist for getting the house ready, so you don’t miss anything.
4. Be Friendly and Engage Visitors
When people walk into your open house, it’s important to make them feel comfortable and welcome right away. Start by offering a warm and friendly greeting to set a positive tone. Smile, introduce yourself, and let them know you’re there to help if they need anything.
Once inside, give visitors space to explore the house at their own pace. Some people like to take their time, look around quietly, and imagine themselves living there, so avoid following them too closely. However, make sure you're easily available to answer any questions they might have. You can offer helpful information, such as details about the neighborhood or unique features of the home, but don’t overwhelm them with too much information at once.
If they ask for your opinion or need guidance, offer it in a friendly, non-pushy way. This balance of being welcoming without hovering will help potential buyers feel more at ease and give them the freedom to really picture the house as their own.
Tip: Have visitors sign in with an open house card, so you can follow up with them later. You can also offer refreshments like bottled water or cookies to make visitors feel more at ease.
5. Follow Up With Your Leads
After the open house is over, it’s really important to follow up with the people who came. This is your chance to stay in touch and maybe turn those visitors into buyers. When you follow up, you can answer any questions they still have, give them more details about the house, and keep them interested.
A quick, friendly follow-up shows that you’re professional and care about their needs. Be sure to thank them for coming, and remind them of what they liked about the house. You can even suggest other homes they might want to see.
Following up helps them remember you, so when they’re ready to make a decision, they’ll think of you first. It’s a simple way to turn a visitor into a serious buyer and get closer to closing a deal!
Tip: Send a personalized message or email to each visitor, thanking them for coming and offering more details about the house. You can also offer to show them other homes if they’re interested.
Need help staying organized with your follow-ups? The Dominate With Open Houses guide has tips on how to track leads and stay in touch.
Turn Your Open Houses Into Success
Hosting an open house is a great way to show off a property and connect with potential buyers. By picking the right home, getting the word out, making the house look great, and following up with leads, you’ll turn your open houses into success.
Want even more tips on how to run the perfect open house? Download the Dominate With Open Houses guide for more expert advice!