Out of this World Open Houses

Showing a home can be a daunting task. How do you work with the empty space? How are potential buyers going to find out about your home? What do you do once they walk in the door?

Hosting an open house requires a lot of work and preparation but can be worth it when just the right person walks in the door and falls in love with the space.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a new agent on the block, it's always helpful to learn some new tricks or refresh yourself on some tips, so we've compiled a few ideas to make your open house out of this world.

Advertise

The only way potential buyers will walk in the door is if they know it's open.
Of course, yard signs are a great way to advertise a day or two before your open house. A variety of signs can help draw clients, so consider including other information besides just "open house." If you have giveaways or refreshments, consider adding that to your advertisement. You never know what will draw people in, so cast a wide net with your advertising.
But yard signs shouldn't be your only form of publication. With so many people searching for homes online, be sure that your open house can be found on the web. Consider listing your open house on various sites including Zillow and Trulia, and list the event on FMLS. Social media can also go a long way in reaching your potential buyer. Post the event in a neighborhood group, and let local neighbors know about the open house as well - you never know, they might have the perfect buyer they want as their new neighbor!

Info Sheet

Once you have people in the door, they're going to want some information, so have fact sheets ready for pickup at the door.

Your fact sheet should include:

• Property address
• Asking price
• Square footage of the property
• Maintenance and HOA fees
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Real estate taxes
• Outdoor spaces
• Special features such as a pool or finished basement
• Recent upgrades

Neighborhood Attractions

Along with information about the home, potential buyers want to know about the new neighborhood they may be moving into.
With your fact sheet, add information about neighborhood features such as local schools and amenities including shopping, transportation, and outdoor and recreational activities.
If there's a really great restaurant in the area, consider throwing in their takeout menu, or include the phone numbers for all the pizza delivery spots in the area. You can also include flyers for big events coming up in the neighborhood, or a small map of spots they should visit - anything to highlight the neighborhood and make the area stand out!

Homey Touches 

Showing a grand, empty home can be great for some buyers, but others may have trouble seeing themselves in the space, so a few homey touches can go a long way.
If you can't stage the home, thinking about bringing in some candles and maybe a house plant or two if you have them. You can also bring in a small rug and a chair or a few stools. You don't have to furnish the home, but seeing a few items in the space can really tie it all together for some buyers and it may be just what they need to see themselves in the space and sell them on the home.

Refreshments

You don't have to host a buffet, but a few light refreshments are a great addition to an open house. Some fruit, water, and crackers are simple and easy to enjoy, and of course, the tried and true freshly baked cookies are a must - no one can resist the smell of chocolate chips!

Talk it Up 

During the open house, be sure to talk to potential buyers, answering their questions and providing any information you can. Some may just be browsing and may not be ready for the 411 on the home, so be sure to give them space, but always be there with a smiling face if they need you!

Thank you's and follow ups 

When your guests are getting ready to leave, be sure they have your information! Whether you want to include that in a thank-you grab bag with your business card and a few promotional items, or just want to hand them out face-to-face, it's crucial that they can get in touch with you after they've left the property.
And it's important for you too - a big part of the work for an open house happens after the event!
Don't forget to have a sign-up sheet for those who show a true interest in the property and want more information. In the days after your open house, follow up with a friendly email or phone call to offer more information and get their thoughts on the property.

For more ideas on how to host a stellar open house, check out this interview at Realtor Mag and take notes from your own observations!

Coordinating a successful open house takes time and effort both before and after the event, but when that perfect buyer walks in, you know it was all worth it!

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Perrie & Associates, LLC is a full-service law firm centered around real estate property. We strive to provide big firm expertise with small firm concern for your interests. We are committed to focusing our legal expertise to provide you with the highest quality services in a timely and cost efficient manner. The attorneys and team members of our firm take great pride in providing the right solutions to our clients' needs. Give us a call to schedule a closing or for legal consultation!